Defects in film are not acceptable to the end-user as there is a reduction in the fitness-for-use, in many applications. This document is intended to be a guide to assist users in the inspection and observation of defects.

This guide is applicable in a laboratory environment as a quality control or as a research tool. It is also appropriate for use in any commercial process used to produce film including calendering and solvent casting.

This guide is also suitable for use as an evaluation or screening tool for materials intended to be used in other processes where defects of this nature are also critical, such as fiber spinning and nonwovens.

The individual user must agree upon the relationship between the criteria and acceptance for fitness-for-use and the observed defects, as it varies by polymer and application. This is attained by the collection of data over a time-period to establish acceptable control limits.