Defence Standard 93-116

Issue 4 Date: 14 March 2022

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Polyethylene (Low Density) Film for
Packaging Types 1, 2 and 3

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 DEF STAN 93-116 Issue 4
Section 1
Foreword
Defence Standard Structure
Section 1 (Generated by the StanMIS toolset)
• Revision Note
• Historical Record
• Warning
• Standard Clauses
Section 2 (Technical information provided by Subject Matter Expert)
• Title
• Introduction (optional)
• Table of Contents
• Scope
• Technical Information to include Tables and Figures
• Annexes (as required)
Section 3 (Generated by StanMIS toolset)
• Normative References
• Definitions
• Abbreviation
• Changes Since Previous Issue

REVISION NOTE
Standard review. Standard brought into new format and all normative references confirmed. Full list of
changes can be found in Section 3.

HISTORICAL RECORD
This standard supersedes the following:
Def Stan 93-116 Issue 3 Dated 15 January 2007
Def Stan 93-116 Issue 1 Dated 6 March 2000
Def Stan 93-13 Issue 1 Dated 14 September 1976
Def Stan 93-19 Issue 1 Dated 15 September 1976
Def Stan 93-20 Issue 1 Dated 15 September 1976

WARNING
The Ministry of Defence (MOD), like its contractors, is subject both to United Kingdom law and any EU-derived
law that has been retained under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 regarding Health and Safety at
Work. Many Defence Standards set out processes and procedures that could be injurious to health if adequate
precautions are not taken. Adherence to those processes and procedures in no way absolves users from
complying with legal requirements relating to Health and Safety at Work.

STANDARD CLAUSES

a) This standard has been published on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) by UK Defence
Standardization (DStan).
b) This standard has been reached following broad consensus amongst the authorities concerned with its
use and is intended to be used whenever relevant in all future designs, contracts, orders etc. and whenever
practicable by amendment to those already in existence. If any difficulty arises which prevents application
of the Defence Standard, DStan shall be informed so that a remedy may be sought.

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c) Please address any enquiries regarding the use of this standard in relation to an invitation to tender or to
a contract in which it is incorporated, to the responsible technical or supervising authority named in the
invitation to tender or contract.
d) Compliance with this Defence Standard shall not in itself relieve any person from any legal obligations
imposed upon them.

e) This standard has been devised solely for the use of the MOD and its contractors in the execution of
contracts for the MOD. To the extent permitted by law, the MOD hereby excludes all liability whatsoever
and howsoever arising (including, but without limitation, liability resulting from negligence) for any loss or
damage however caused when the standard is used for any other purpose.

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Polyethylene (Low Density) Film for Packaging Types 1, 2 and 3

Contents

1 Scope ...................................................................................................................................................... 2-2

2 Material .................................................................................................................................................... 2-2
3 Dimensions of sheet & layflat tubing ....................................................................................................... 2-2
4 Information to be Supplied by the Purchaser .......................................................................................... 2-3
5 Test Requirements .................................................................................................................................. 2-3
6 Packaging ................................................................................................................................................ 2-5

Annexes

A List of Permitted Antioxidants ..................................................................................................................... 2-6

B The Determination of Thickness ................................................................................................................. 2-7
C The Determination of Tensile Strength and Elongation at Break ............................................................... 2-8
D The Determination of Tear Test .................................................................................................................. 2-9
E The Determination for pH of Water Extract ............................................................................................... 2-10

Tables

Table 1 - Width of Sheet and Lay Flat Tubing ................................................................................................ 2-2

Table 2 - Nominal Thickness of Film .............................................................................................................. 2-3
Table 3 - Tolerances for the Nominal Thickness of the Film .......................................................................... 2-3
Table 4 - Physical and Chemical Requirements ............................................................................................ 2-4
Table 5 - Measurements for the Determination of Thickness of the Film ....................................................... 2-7

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1 Scope

This Defence Standard specifies the requirements for low density polyethylene film in the form of sheet and
lay flat tubing for use in the packaging of Service stores.

1.1 Three types of polyethylene film are covered by this Standard.

a) Type 1 Natural colour; for general purpose packaging.

b) Type 2 Opaque, Black; for general purpose packaging.
c) Type 3 Natural colour; for packaging propellants.

1.2 The thickness range specified for Type 1 is 38 to 250 µm, and for Types 2 and 3 is 65 to 250 µm, in
widths available from 25 mm upwards.

1.3 All three types are suitable for use as a waterproof wrap and to create a water vapour proof barrier.

1.4 They are not suitable for use as a grease resisting wrap or for food contact use.

2 Material

2.1 The polyethylene film for packaging shall consist essentially of low-density polyethylene and have a
maximum Melt Flow Rate of 4 when determined by BS EN ISO 1133.

2.2 The film should have an appearance conforming with that produced by good commercial practice. It
should be as free from gels, streaks, pinholes, foreign matter, or undispersed raw material as is
possible. There shall be no visible defects such as holes, tears, blisters. It shall be reasonably free
from visible impurities and imperfections.

2.3 Types 1 and 3 film produced from natural polyethylene should be either medium or high Clarity; but
shall be sufficiently transparent for printed documents (typically Gill Sans Bold Condensed size 2.8
mm (8 point)) to be easily read when covered by one thickness of the film in close contact.

2.4 The carbon black content of Type 2 film shall be sufficient to give the film an optical density of 3.0.

2.5 Type 1 and Type 2 film shall be treated to facilitate the separation of adjacent sheets of the film or the
opening of the tubing in the case of lay flat tubing.

2.6 Type 3 film is suitable for packaging some propellants. If an antioxidant is incorporated, it shall be one
of those listed in Annex A and shall not be present in an amount exceeding 0.03 % m/m. No other
additives or treatment shall be used.

3 Dimensions of sheet & layflat tubing

Note: 0.1 gm-3 is equivalent to 100 kgm-3

3.1 The nominal width of sheet and layflat tubing shall be specified in accordance with Table 1.

Table 1 - Width of Sheet and Lay Flat Tubing

Nominal Width Increments of Width

25 mm <100 mm 2 mm steps
100 mm <300 mm 5 mm steps
300 mm <500 mm 10 mm steps
500 mm <1000 mm 20 mm steps
>1000 mm 25 mm steps

3.2 The nominal thickness of film shall be specified in accordance with Table 2.

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Table 2 - Nominal Thickness of Film

Nominal Thickness µm
Type 1 Types 2 and 3
38 65
65 75
75 100
100 125
125 150
150 175
175 200
200 225
225 250
250

3.3 The length of the film on a roll shall be at least the stated length. In cases of dispute the length shall
be determined in accordance with BS 2782-6: Method 632A.

3.4 Reels shall contain no more than one break or join per 1,000 m of film. Any such breaks or joins shall
be identified by suitable marks on tags visible on the outside of the reel.

4 Information to be Supplied by the Purchaser

The purchaser shall state clearly in the order: -

a) Whether Type 1, 2 or 3 film is required,

b) The nominal width and thickness of the film is required (see clause 3),
c) Whether the film is to be supplied as rolls of sheet, or lay flat tubing,
d) Length per roll
e) Quantity of contents

5 Test Requirements

5.1 Samples taken from any portion of the supply shall be in accordance with the description given
in clause 2 and shall comply with the requirements given in Tables 3 and 4.

5.2 The average thickness of the film in any single roll or unit package of material, calculated from the net
weight, the stated length and width of the film, and an assumed density of 920 kgm-3 Types 1 and
3 or 935 kgm-3 for Type 2, shall be within ± 10% of the nominal thickness.

5.3 When measured by the method described in Annex B no individual measurement of thickness of the
film shall differ from the nominal thickness by more than the amount indicated in Table 3.

Table 3 - Tolerances for the Nominal Thickness of the Film

Nominal Thickness µm Tolerance µm

38 ±8
65 ±15
75 ±15
100 ±20

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125 ±25
150 ±30
175 ±35
200 ±40
225 ±45
250 ±50

Table 4 - Physical and Chemical Requirements

Test Property Units Limits Test

1 Width mm Calibrated rule
Up to 125 mm ±3 (for disputes use BS 2782-
6 Method 632A)
Greater than 125 mm % of Nominal ±2
Width
2 Tensile strength, MPa 12 min Annex C
Longitudinal and
Transverse directions,
3 Elongation at break, % 250 min
Longitudinal and
Transverse directions
4 Tear resistance, N/mm 50 min Annex D
Longitudinal and
Transverse directions
Average value of both 60 min
directions where
measurable
5 Water vapour g/m2/24 hours BS ISO 9932 [using conditions of
transmission rate (38 ± 1) °C and (90 ±
2) °C Relative Humidity]
Nominal Thickness µm
38 13.2 max
65 7.7 max
75 6.7 max
100 5.0 max
125 4.0 max
150 3.3 max
175 2.9 max
200 2.5 max
225 2.2 max
250 2.0 max
6 pH of water extract 5.0 min Annex E
Type 3 only 8.0 max
7 Density of Type 1 & 3 kgm-3 at 23 °C 925 max BS EN ISO 1183-1
Density of Type 2 935 max

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6 Packaging

6.1 The material shall be supplied in sound, clean and dry packaging suitable for the product, and in
accordance with any additional requirements of the contract or order. The use of dirty or contaminated
packaging shall render the whole consignment liable to rejection.

6.2 Packages shall be legibly and durably marked with the following details:

a) Item name and description: Polyethylene (Low Density) Film for Packaging Types 1, 2 or 3 (as
appropriate)
b) Defence Standard viz: DEF STAN 93-116 / N (where N Is the issue number of the standard).
c) NATO Stock Number
d) Sheet or lay flat tubing (as appropriate)
e) Dimensions: length, width, and thickness
f) Weight (kg)
g) Quantity of contents
h) Distinctive lot and/or batch number
i) Contract or order number
j) Date of manufacture
k) Manufacturer's initials or recognised Trademark and any other markings called for in the contract or
order.

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Annex A
List of Permitted Antioxidants
a) di – [2 – hydroxy – 5 – methyl – 3 – (1 – methyl cyclohexyl) phenyl] methane
b) 2, 6 – di – tert – butyl – p –cresol
c) 2, 4, 6 – tri – (3, 5 – di – tert – butyl – 4 – hydroxybenzyl) mesitylene
d) 1, 1, 3 – tri – (5 – tert – butyl – 4 – hydroxy – 2 – methylphenyl) butane
e) Dido decyl 3, 3' – thiodipropionate
f) Pentaerythritol tetra – 3 – (3, 5 – di – tert – butyl – 4 – hydroxyphenyl) propionate

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Annex B
The Determination of Thickness
B.1 Method of Test

Film thickness shall be determined using the procedure described in BS 2782: Part 6 Method 631A except
that:

a) For widths less than 100 mm several specimens will be required to provide the 100 cm 2 sample area
required for one measurement.
b) The minimum number of measurements taken shall vary with the width of the film as shown in Table
5.

Table 5 - Measurements for the Determination of Thickness of the Film

Open Width Minimum Number of Measurements

25 <100 mm 5
100 < 300 mm 8
300.< 500 mm 10
500 < 1000 mm 15
1000 < 2000 mm 20
>2000 mm Width divided by 100

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Annex C
The Determination of Tensile Strength and Elongation at Break
C.1 Method of Test

The tensile strength and elongation at break shall be measured in accordance with BS EN ISO 527-3,
Specimen Type 5 except that:

a) The thickness of the test specimens shall be that determined in Annex B.

b) The rate of strain shall be 500 ± 50 mm/minute.
c) The tensile strength shall be calculated from the maximum recorded load.
d) Five specimens shall be tested in both longitudinal and transverse direction where the width of film
permits.

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Annex D
The Determination of Tear Test
D.1 Method of Test

D.1.1 The tear resistance shall be measured in accordance with BS 2782: Part 3, Method 360C except that:

a) The thickness of the test specimens shall be that determined in Annex B.

b) The rate of separation of the grips shall be 500 ± 50 mm/minute.
c) Five specimens shall be tested in both longitudinal and transverse direction where the width of film
permits.
D.1.2 The tear resistance shall be calculated in N/mm thickness.

D.1.3 Report the tear resistance in each direction as the mean value for the five specimens in that
direction. Where possible report the average value of all ten determinations.

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Annex E
The Determination for pH of Water Extract
E.1 Method of Test

Determine the pH of water extract using the procedure given in BS 2782: Part 4, Method 452D, except that
the film shall be prepared by cutting the sample into squares of approximately 6 x 6 mm.

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Section 3

Normative References
1 The publications shown below are referred to in the text of this standard. Publications are grouped
and listed in alpha-numeric order.
Note: Def Stan’s can be downloaded free of charge from the DStan web site by visiting
<http://dstan.uwh.diif.r.mil.uk/> for those with RLI access or <https://www.dstan.mod.uk> for all other
users. All referenced standards were correct at the time of publication of this standard (see 2, 3 & 4 below for
further guidance), if you are having difficulty obtaining any referenced standard please contact the UK Defence
Standardization Help Centre in the first instance.

Def Stans

Number Title

STANAGs

Number Title

Allied Publications

Number Title

Other References

Standard Type Standard Name

BS / BS EN / BS BS 2782-3:METHOD 360C:1991; Methods of testing plastics. Mechanical properties.
ISO Standards Determination of tear resistance of plastics film and sheeting by the initiation method

BS / BS EN / BS BS 2782-4:METHODS 452D TO 452F:1978; Methods of testing plastics. Chemical

ISO Standards properties. Determination of pH of water extract of polyolefin compound. Determination
of water-soluble sulphates / chlorides in polyolefin compound.

BS / BS EN / BS BS 2782-6:METHOD 631A:1993, ISO 4591:1992; Methods of testing plastics.

ISO Standards Dimensional properties. Determination of gravimetric thickness and yield of flexible
sheet

BS / BS EN / BS BS 2782-6:METHOD 632A:1993, ISO 4592:1992; Methods of testing plastics.

ISO Standards Dimensional properties. Determination of length and width of flexible sheet

BS / BS EN / BS BS 7344:1990; Specification for reeled low density polyethylene film for general
ISO Standards purpose application

BS / BS EN / BS BS EN ISO 1133-1:2011; Plastics. Determination of the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and
ISO Standards melt volume-flow rate (MVR) of thermoplastics. Standard method

BS / BS EN / BS BS EN ISO 1183-1:2019; Plastics. Methods for determining the density of non-cellular

ISO Standards plastics. Immersion method, liquid pycnometer method and titration method

BS / BS EN / BS BS EN ISO 527-3:2018; Plastics. Determination of tensile properties. Test conditions

ISO Standards for films and sheets

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BS / BS EN / BS BS ISO 9932:2021; Methods for determination of water vapour transmission rate of
ISO Standards sheet materials (paper and board) by dynamic sweep and static gas methods

2 Reference in this Standard to any normative references means in any Invitation to Tender or contract
the edition and all amendments current at the date of such tender or contract unless a specific edition is
indicated. Care should be taken when referring out to specific portions of other standards to ensure that they
remain easily identifiable where subsequent amendments and supersession’s might be made. For some
standards the most recent editions shall always apply due to safety and regulatory requirements.

3 In consideration of clause 2 above, users shall be fully aware of the issue, amendment status and
application of all normative references, particularly when forming part of an Invitation to Tender or contract.
Correct identification of standards is as defined in the ITT or contract.

4 DStan can advise regarding where to obtain normative referenced documents. Requests for such
information can be made to the UK Defence Standardization Help Centre. Details of how to contact the Help
Centre are shown on the outside rear cover of Defence Standards.

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Definitions

For the purpose of this standard, ISO/IEC Guide 2 ‘Standardization and Related Activities – General
Vocabulary’ and the definitions shown below apply.

Definition Description
Dimensions All dimensions in this standard are in millimeters (mm) unless otherwise stated.

General - For ‘yield’, ‘haze’, ‘gloss’, ‘clarity’, ‘opacity’, ‘composition’, ‘Appearance and Finish’ refer
Polyethylene to BS 7344

Material density As a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film the density is nominally ≤ 927 kgm-3, but see
also clause 5.2.

Optical Density The optical density is expressed by log I0/I, where I0 is the intensity of the incident ray,
and I is the intensity of the transmitted ray, measured by any suitable apparatus. A
measure of ‘opacity’.

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Abbreviations

Abbreviation Description
BS British Standard

BS EN ISO British Standard European Norm International Standards Organisation

cm² Centimetre(s) squared

g/m² Gram per metre squared

kg Kilogram

kgm Kilogram-meter

LDPE Low-Density Polyethelyne

m Metre

mm Millimetre(s)

MPa Megapascal (Unit of Pressure)

N/mm Newton(s) per millimetre

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Changes since previous issue

The changes incorporated in this issue are shown below. For more information please contact DStan through
the UK Defence Standardization Help Centre. Details of how to contact the Help Centre are shown on the
outside rear cover of Defence Standards.

Clause Page Change Change Reason

1.1 a) 2-2 (Formerly Def Stan 93-13 No reason to reference.
material) removed

Various Various General grammatical and N/A

spelling mistakes

1.1 b) 2-2 (Formerly Def Stan 93-20 No reason to reference

material) removed

1.1 c) 2-2 (Formerly Def Stan 93-19 No reason to reference

material) removed

Various Various Internal clause references Changes required due to moving to new
amended format

C.1 2-8 BS 2782: Part 3 Method 326E Standard replaced

replaced by BS EN ISO 527-
3:1996

2.1 2-2 Remove No rework polyethylene Future proof to enable recycling materials
shall be used. to be considered.

Table 4 ID5 2-4 BS 7406 replaced with BS ISO Standard superseded

TEST 9932

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File Reference
The DStan file reference relating to work on this standard is 01349/2020.

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When Defence Standards are incorporated into contracts, users are responsible for their correct
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Revision of Defence Standards

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