Designation: D 5397 – 99e1

Standard Test Method for

Evaluation of Stress Crack Resistance of Polyolefin
Geomembranes Using Notched Constant Tensile Load Test1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5397; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

e1 NOTE—12.1 and Table 1 were added editorially in August 2002.

1. Scope man-made project, structure, or system (see Test Method

1.1 This test method is used to develop test data from which D 4833).
the susceptibility of polyolefin geomembrane sheet material to 3.1.2 stress crack, n—an external or internal crack in a
stress cracking under a constant tensile load condition and an plastic caused by tensile stresses less than its short-time
accelerated environmental condition can be evaluated. mechanical strength (see Definitions D 883).
1.2 This test method measures the failure time associated 3.1.2.1 Discussion—The development of such cracks is
with a given test specimen at a specified tensile load level. frequently accelerated by the environment to which the plastic
Results from a series of such tests utilizing a range of load is exposed. The stresses that cause cracking may be present
levels can be used to construct a stress-time plot on a log-log internally or externally or may be combinations of these
axis. stresses.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 4. Summary of Test Method
standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are
provided for information only. 4.1 This test method consists of subjecting a dumbbell
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the shaped notched test specimen from a polyolefin sheet to a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the constant tensile load in the presence of a surface-active agent
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- and at an elevated temperature. The time to failure of the test
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- specimen is recorded. The results of a series of such tests
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. conducted at different stress levels are presented by plotting
stress level against failure time for each stress level on a
2. Referenced Documents log-log axis.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 5. Significance and Use
D 638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics2
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics2 5.1 This test method does not purport to interpret the
D 4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics for Testing3 resulting response curve. Such interpretation is left to the
D 4491 Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles parties involved in the commissioning and reporting of the test
by Permittivity3 results.
D 4833 Test Method for Index Puncture Resistance of 5.2 This test method is intended as an index test and may be
Geotextiles, Geomembranes, and Related Products3 used for grading polyolefin geomembrane sheets in regard to
their stress cracking sensitivity.
3. Terminology 5.2.1 Conditions that can affect stress cracking include:
3.1 Definitions: level of loading, test temperature and environment, microstruc-
3.1.1 geomembrane, n—very low permeability synthetic ture, polymer additive package, processing history, and thermal
membrane liners or barriers used with any geotechnical engi- history.
neering related material so as to control fluid migration in a 6. Apparatus
1
6.1 Blanking Die—A die suitable for cutting test specimens
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.02 on Endur-
to the dimensions and tolerances shown in Fig. 1.
ance Properties. NOTE 1—The length of the specimen can be changed to suit the design
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1999. Published March 2000. Originally
of the test apparatus. However, there should be a constant neck section
published as D 5397 – 93. Last previous edition D 5397 – 95.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. with length at least 13 mm (0.5 in.) long. The width should be 3.20 mm
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09. (0.125 in.).

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 5397 – 99e1
desired loading on each specimen. The surface-active agent in which the
specimens are immersed is contained in an open stainless steel tank. A
submersion heater and controller are used to maintain the test temperature.
A pump keeps the liquid in a constant state of agitation. A timing clock for
each test specimen is also provided to record automatically the failure time
of the test specimens to the nearest 0.1 h.
NOTE 4—If “on/off” switches are used to control the timing clock, the
switch must be sensitive enough to be turned off under 200 g of the force.

7. Reagent
7.1 The reagent should consist of 10 % surface-active agent
with 90 % water. The surface-active agent is Igepal CO-6306
that is nonylphenoxy poly(ethyleneoxy)ethanol. The reagent
should be stored in a closed container. The reagent in the bath
should be replaced every two weeks to maintain a constant
concentration.
NOTE 1—Dimensioned in millimetres to an accuracy of 0.02 mm. NOTE 5—In case of dispute, the water should be distilled or deionized
FIG. 1 Dimensions of Test Method D 1822 Type“ L” Test at the discretion of the parties involved.
Specimens NOTE 6—Other incubation solutions may also be used in the test,
provided that the parties involved mutually agree to the changes and state
the specific details in the final report.
6.2 Notching Device—A device or machine that can pro-
duce a consistent notch depth.4 8. Sampling
NOTE 2—An evaluation of the notching technique can be performed by 8.1 Lot Sample—Divide the product into lots and take the
quenching a notched specimen in liquid nitrogen and then fracturing it. lot sample as directed in Practice D 4354.
The notch depth can readily be measured by examining the fracture 8.2 Laboratory Sample—As a laboratory sample for accep-
surface under a reflected light microscope tance testing, take a full-width swatch approximately 1 m (40
6.3 Stress Cracking Apparatus—Equipment suitable for in.) long in the machine direction from each roll in the lot
subjecting test specimens to a tensile stress of up to 13.8 MPa sample. The sample may be taken from the end portion of a roll
(2000 lb/in.2). The specimens shall be maintained at a constant provided there is no evidence it is distorted or different from
temperature of 50 6 1°C (122 6 2°F) while being totally other portions of the roll.
immersed in a surface-active agent. The solution should be 8.3 Test Specimens—At least thirty test specimens are cut
constantly agitated to provide a uniform concentration through- from each swatch in the laboratory sample. For each set of
out the bath. tests, all specimens must be taken from one direction.
NOTE 3—The apparatus5 shown in Fig. 2 is one type that has been used NOTE 7—Quite often the test is required to challenge the weakest
and is capable of testing up to 20 specimens at a time. This equipment uses direction of the sheet material. If this is the cross machine direction, the
a lever system with a mechanical advantage (MA) of three to impose the test specimens should be cut in this direction. Hence the notch is placed
in the machine direction so that the specimens are stressed in the desired
cross machine direction.
4
Notching equipment is available through REMCO Industrial Machine Co., NOTE 8—It has been found that inserting a grommet or eyelet in the two
Manville, NJ 08850. holes at the end tabs of the test specimen helps to reduce the number of
5
This equipment is available through Custom Scientific Instruments Co., Cedar “grip failures” or failures occurring outside of the neck section of the
Knolls, NJ 07927, and BT Technology Inc., 613 W. Clinton St., Rushville, IL 62681. specimen.

9. Procedure
9.1 Measure the thickness of each individual test specimen
at its minimum cross section to the nearest 0.013 mm (0.001
in.). The variation in thickness should not be greater than 6
0.026 mm (6 0.002 in.) of the nominal thickness of the
geomembrane.
9.2 Cut into each specimen a control imperfection (notch)
on one surface as shown in Fig. 3. The depth of the notch
should produce a ligament thickness of 80 % of the nominal
thickness of the specimen.
NOTE 9—Using this procedure the actual notch depth will vary in
accordance with the actual thickness of the test specimen. For example, a
sheet of nominal thickness of 2 mm (80 mil) might have thicknesses

NOTE 1—The number of positions in the test frame is optional.

FIG. 2 Constant Stress Loading Apparatus Consisting of Twenty 6
Igepal CO-630 may be obtained from Rhone-Poulenc, CN 7500, Prospect
Specimen Test Positions Plains Road, Cranbury, NJ 08512-7500.

2
 D 5397 – 99e1

FIG. 3 Front and Side Views of the Notched Test Specimen of NCTL Test

ranging from 1.98 to 2.08 mm (78 to 82 mil). To obtain a constant hinge applied force = force to be applied to achieve a specific
thickness of 1.6 mm (64 mil), the notch depth would vary from 0.36 to
percentage of the yield stress, N (lb),
0.46 mm (14 to 18 mil), depending upon the actual thickness of the
individual test specimens.
A = percentage of yield stress to be achieved,
sy = the yield stress of the material at room
9.3 Inspect the edge of the blade for scratches and burrs temperature, N/m2(lb/in.2),
under normal vision prior to the cut. No single blade shall be w = width of the neck of the test specimen
used for notching more than 20 test specimens. (3.20 mm (0.125 in.)),
9.4 Test specimens are loaded at various percentages of tL = the ligament thickness of the test speci-
their room temperature yield stress. The applied stress levels men, that is, recommended to be 80 % of
should range from approximately 20 to 65 % at maximum the nominal thickness, mm (in.), and
increments of 5 %. Three specimens are tested at each stress MA = mechanical advantage of the test appara-
level to produce statistically significant results. tus, that is 3.0 for the apparatus shown in
NOTE 10—To develop the entire curve in a single direction at the
Fig. 2.
recommended values listed above will require ten increments at three 9.7 Fill the test bath with reagent, and adjust the temperature
specimens each, or 30 individual tests. If both directions are to be to 50 6 1°C (122 6 2°F).
challenged, the entire test will require twice as many test specimens.
NOTE 11—Other temperatures may be used when conducting this test.
9.5 For each set of test, the yield stress of the material However, it must be mutually agreed upon by parties involved and the test
should be measured according to Test Method D 638 (Type temperature must be stated in the final report.
IV). Five specimens should be tested and the average value is 9.8 Attach the test specimens to the hooks of the test
used to calculate the applied force. The test specimens should apparatus.
be cut from the same sample and same direction as stated in 9.9 Adjust the distance between the lever arm and the
8.3. switch to a dimension equal to 20 mm (0.80 in.).
9.6 Calculate the tensile force to be applied to each indi- 9.10 Immerse the test specimens and allow temperature
vidual specimen from the equation given below: equilibrium to be reached. The minimum time is 30 min.
applied force 5 ~A!~sy!~w!~tL!~1/MA! (1) 9.11 Prepare the appropriated weight of lead shot (or other
types) required for each individual test specimen according to
where: the calculation in 9.6.

3
 D 5397 – 99e1
9.12 Load each individual specimen with its respective
weight and record the elapsed time to failure to the nearest 0.1
h.
NOTE 12—Other test duration time can be used besides failure time.
However, it must be mutually agreed upon by parties involved and the
duration of the test must be stated in the final report.
NOTE 13—Expanded polystyrene or other types of insulation can be
placed on top of the liquid to minimize the evaporation of water and
oxidation of liquid.
NOTE 14—The liquid level in the bath can be maintained by using an
automatic water feeder.
9.13 For each of the applied stress levels, calculate the
arithmetic mean of the three failure time values and report it as
the“ average failure time” for that particular applied stress
level.
9.14 Calculate the coefficient of variation as follows and
report it to two significant figures:
coefficient of variation ~V! 5 ~standard deviation/mean! 3 100 %
(2)
The value (V) must be less than 15 % for those with average
failure time greater than 10 h. If not, three new specimens
should be tested at that specific applied stress level again.
10. Interpretation of Results
10.1 Present the test data in graphic form by plotting the
logarithm of percentage yield stress versus the logarithm of the
average failure time for each stress level. Three possible types
of curves can result, see Fig. 4.
11. Report
11.1 Report the following:
11.1.1 Complete identification of the material tested,
FIG. 4 Possible Response of Curves Resulting from a Complete
11.1.2 Yield stress used in the test, Notched Constant Tensile Load (NCLT) Test
11.1.3 Method of conditioning used if different from that
specified herein, failure time value, which is obtained from five test specimens.
11.1.4 Report the average failure time and coefficient of Table 1 shows the interlaboratory programs and results.
variation values for each of the applied stress levels, and 12.2 Bias—The procedure in this test method for measuring
11.1.5 A plot of the percent yield stress against average the failure time at different applied stress has no bias because
failure time on log-log axes. the value of the failure time can be defined only in terms of a
test method.
12. Precision and Bias
12.1 Precision—The precision study for D 5397 was per- 13. Keywords
formed based on the single point test procedure described in 13.1 failure time; geomembrane; notch; polyolefin; yield
the Appendix. This test result is presented as a single average stress

Test Material No. of Lab. Mean Failure Time (hr) Sr(hr) CV % Sr SR(hr) CV % SR r (hr) CV % r (%) R (hr) CV % R (%)
2.5mm 11 160 16 10 47 29 45 28 132 81
2.0 mm 10 85 9 10 17 20 25 28 48 56
1.5 mm 9 209 35 17 55 26 98 48 154 73

where:
Sr= = Repeatability standard deviation (within a laboratory),
SR= = reproducibility standard deviation (between laboratories),
CV% Sr= = coefficient of variation of Sr,
CV% SR= = coefficient of variation of SR,
r (hr)= = 2.8 Sr= 95% confidence limit within a laboratory,
R (hr)= = 2.8 SR= 95% confidence limit between laboratories,
CV % r= = 2.8CV 5 Sr,
CV % R= = 2.8CV 5 SR,

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 D 5397 – 99e1

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. PROCEDURE TO PERFORM A SINGLE POINT NOTCHED CONSTANT TENSILE LOAD (SP-NCTL) TEST

X1.1 Sampling: s = the applied stress value determined by either

X1.1.1 Test Specimens—Five test specimens are cut from a X1.2.2.1 (a) or (b), N/m2(lb/in.2),
representative sample of the geomembrane sheet under inves- w = width of the neck of the test specimen,
tigation. All specimens must be cut in the same direction. tL = the ligament thickness of the notched test specimen,
(recommended to be 80 % of the nominal thickness
NOTE X1.1—Notes 7 and 8 of this test method should also apply. of the sheet), mm (in.), and
NOTE X1.2—The procedure is recommended for sheets with thick- MA = mechanical advantage of the test apparatus.
nesses ranging from 1.0 to 2.5 mm (0.040 to 0.10 in.).
NOTE X1.3—This procedure is not appropriate for testing geomem-
X1.2.4 The incubation conditions for the notched test speci-
branes with textured or irregular rough surfaces. The irregular surface mens should be in accordance with 9.7-9.12.
makes the determination of the ligament thickness, and subsequent X1.2.5 The duration of the test should be either one of the
applied stress unreliable. following:
X1.2.5.1 Tests are run for a predetermined time period—
X1.2 Recommended Procedure: The tests are terminated immediately after a predetermined
X1.2.1 The specimen notching procedure should be in length of time which is mutally agreed upon by the parties
accordance with 9.1-9.3. involved.
X1.2.2 All notched test specimens are to be loaded to an X1.2.5.2 Tests are taken to failure—The tests continue until
equal stress level. all five specimens fail. The arithimetic mean of the five failure
X1.2.2.1 The stress level applied to the test specimens times is calculated along with the coefficient of variation.
should be either,
a) 30 % of the room temperature yield stress of the sheet X1.3 Report
under investigation. The yield stress of the sheet should be
measured according to Test Method D 638 (Type IV). Five X1.3.1 Complete identification of the sheet material tested
specimens should be tested and the average value is used to including test orientation.
calculate the applied force. The tensile test specimen should X1.3.2 Room temperature yield stress and percent of yield
be cut from the same sample and same direction as stated in stress, or other stress/load used in the test.
X1.1.1. X1.3.3 Report any changes that are different from the
b) Other stress or force values as mutually agreed to by the standard herein.
parties involved. X1.3.4 If the tests are run for a predetermined time period,
X1.2.3 Calculate the applied tensile force from the equa- state the following:
tion given below: X1.3.4.1 The precribed time period as set by the parties
F 5 ~s!*~w!*~tL!*~1/MA! (X1.1) involved,
X1.3.4.2 If specimen(s) fail before the prescribed time
where: period, report their failure time(s), otherwise state “no failure”.
F = force to be applied to achieve 30 % of the yield X1.3.5 If the tests continue until failure, report the average
stress, N (lb), time and coefficient of variation.

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