Standard Test Method for Peel Cling of Stretch Wrap Film - PDF

ASTM D5458 Peel Fixture – Universal Grip Data Sheet (PDF)

 

ASTM D5458 measures the peel cling of stretch wrap film: how strongly one layer of film holds to another, which is what keeps a pallet load wrapped. A strip of film is pulled off a second strip held on a 20° inclined plane, and the force at a set separation point is reported as cling in grams per 25 mm of width. This is not a 180° peel test.

How the D5458 Peel Cling Test Works

• A stationary film strip is fixed to a flat plane inclined at 20° from horizontal, with its cling (release) side facing up

• A second, unstretched test strip is laid on top and pressed into contact with a soft brush so it lies flat with no trapped air

• The free end of the test strip is connected to the load cell, and the crosshead pulls it up and off the incline

• Cling is the force recorded when the separation line reaches a marked line on the plane

Specimens and Conditions

• Strips 25 mm (1 in) wide in the transverse direction × 178 mm (7 in) long in the machine direction

• Test the cling side against the release side (or the same side, as specified) and record which faces were in contact

• Condition and test at 23 °C and 50% RH; cling changes with temperature, aging and how long the film has been off the roll

• Test at least 5 specimens per film; cling can also be measured after pre-stretching the film to simulate the wrapper

Confirm exact dimensions and the contact procedure against your copy of D5458.

Test Speed and Results

• Crosshead speed: 125 mm/min (5 in/min)

• Result: cling force in grams-force per 25 mm (g/in) of width, averaged across specimens

• Report the film type, the faces in contact, any pre-stretch and the test conditions with the result

Equipment

• Universal testing machine with a low-capacity load cell (10 N or 50 N) for gram-level forces

• D5458 peel cling fixture: a 20° inclined platen that mounts to the machine base, with a separation mark and a fine line or clip to the load cell

• Soft brush for laying down the test strip

• Film strip cutter for clean 25 mm strips

Related Standards

• ASTM D882 – tensile properties of thin plastic film

• ASTM F88/F88M – seal strength of flexible barrier materials

• ASTM D4649 – guide for selection and use of stretch wrap films

• ASTM D1894 – coefficient of friction of plastic film

• ASTM D5459 – machine direction elastic recovery and stress retention of stretch wrap film

ASTM D5458 FAQ

What does ASTM D5458 measure?

Peel cling: the force needed to separate a strip of stretch wrap film from a second strip held on a 20° inclined plane, reported in grams per 25 mm of width.

Is D5458 a 180° peel test?

No. The stationary strip sits on a plane inclined at 20°, and the test strip is pulled up and off it. A 180° peel uses a different geometry and gives different numbers.

What specimen size and speed does D5458 use?

Strips 25 mm (1 in) wide by 178 mm (7 in) long, pulled at 125 mm/min (5 in/min).

What load cell do I need for peel cling?

Cling forces are only tens to a few hundred grams, so use a 10 N or 50 N load cell to keep the reading in the accurate part of its range.