Like other techniques to measure toughness, this test method provides a means to determine parameters of a material at strain rates closer to some end-use applications than provided by low-speed uniaxial tensile tests. Dynamic tensile behavior of a film is important, particularly when the film is used as a packaging material. The same uncertainties about correlations with thickness that apply to other impact tests also apply to this test (see section 3.4 of Test Methods D 1709). Hence, no provision for rationalizing to unit thickness is provided. Also, no provision is made for testing at non-ambient temperatures.

This test method includes two procedures, similar except with regard to sample size: Procedure A for 60-mm diameter and Procedure B for 89-mm diameter (commonly called the "Spencer"). The data have not been shown relatable to each other.

Several impact test methods are used for film. It is sometimes desirable to know the relationships among test results derived by different methods. A study was conducted in which four films made from two resins (polypropylene and linear low-density polyethylene), with two film thicknesses for each resin, were impacted using Test Methods D 1709 (Method A), Test Method D 3420 (Procedures A and B), and Test Method D 4272. The test results are shown in Appendix X2. Differences in results between Test Methods D 1709 and D 4272 may be expected since Test Methods D 1709 represents failure initiated energy while Test Method D 4272 is initiation plus completion energy. Some films may show consistency when the initiation energy is the same as the total energy. This statement and the test data also appear in the significance and appendixes sections of Test Methods of D 1709 and D 4272.