This program is accredited in accordance with the recognized International Standard ISO/IEC 17043: 2010 Conformity Assessment - General Requirements for Proficiency Testing, by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation. Certificate Number: 4209.01
ASTM’s Proficiency Test Program on Plastic Film Testing provides laboratories with a statistical quality assurance (SQA) tool, enabling labs to compare, improve, and maintain performance in tests on plastic film testing materials.
Conducted biannually, this program provides (for each test cycle) test specimens from two different plastic film test materials, forms to record test data, and instructions for conducting the tests. Labs are instructed to conduct the tests in their facilities using the ASTM methods cited in the program, and to record their test results on the data report form.
Each laboratory electronically submits test data to ASTM for use in generating statistical summary reports. Final reports contain:
Samples, test instructions and data report forms are distributed electronically to each participant on the date samples are distributed. Labs have approximately 8 weeks to submit test data with the final statistical summary reports being electronically distributed in approximately 25 days.
For more information, contact us.
Plastic materials included: LLPE, LLDPE-A, LLDPE-B and HDPE. Each lab receives an appropriate amount test specimens to conduct tests according to ASTM test methods listed below. Each lab receives two different plastics materials in each test cycle.
D1709 |
Drop Impact Strength |
D6988 |
Film Thickness |
D2457 |
Gloss |
D1003 |
Haze |
D1922 |
Propagation Tear Resistance |
D2582 |
Puncture-Propagation Tear Resistance |
D1894 |
Static |
D1004 |
Tear Resistance |
D882 |
Tensile |
Test samples are distributed for ASTM International by Clark Labs in Jefferson Hills, PA. Program registration fees include the cost of shipping the test samples to U.S. participants or, for international participants, to a third-party shipping agent located in the U.S.
IMPORTANT for International participants: You have the following options for receipt of samples:
Ship through a third party shipping agent - Provide ASTM International with the complete contact information of a designated Shipping Agent located in the U.S. who will be responsible for shipping samples from the U.S. to your facility. Participants are responsible for making financial and shipping arrangements directly with the shipping agent.
Please be advised that when samples are shipped, an e-mail is sent only to the contact of record on your ASTM PTP account. It is the customer’s responsibility to advise their designated shipper that the sample has been shipped.
We cannot permit shipping agents to pick up samples at our distributors’ warehouses.
Ship directly from the sample distributor via UPS, DHL, or FEDEX - Provide ASTM International with your shipping account number to cover shipping charges. Check that your carrier will deliver the test materials to your location. Materials classified as Hazardous may have restrictions.
You are responsible for additional fees charged-back to our distributor for any reason relative to your sample shipment including, but not limited to, fees for fuel surcharges, missing/invalid account numbers, dangerous goods, remote area delivery, and multiple delivery attempts.
ASTM's Proficiency Test Program provides you with:
Should you have a question with your published results, please write to ptp@astm.org with your lab number and account number.
Participation is on an annual fee basis and open to all laboratories. Registration fees must be paid in advance to participate. Testing must be performed within the participant's laboratory facilities. A laboratory does not need to perform all the program tests to participate.
Committee D20 on Plastics, consisting of over 750 members, is a developer of 470 standards. The Committee provides the technical direction for the program. Test information from the program may be utilized by Committee D20 to determine if changes to the ASTM test methods are warranted. Data submitted to Committee D20 is coded by ASTM to maintain confidentiality.