The Finetech Engineering Dart Impact Tester measures the impact resistance of plastic films, thin sheets, and laminates. If you manufacture polyethylene bags, stretch film, shrink film, BOPP packaging, or laminated pouches, the dart impact test tells you how much impact energy your film absorbs before it punctures. This value – the dart impact strength in grams – is one of the most commonly specified QC parameters on every film producer’s datasheet.
The test is simple: a hemispherical-headed dart is dropped from a fixed height onto a clamped film specimen. The dart weight is adjusted up or down using the Bruceton staircase method across 20–30 specimens until the weight that produces exactly 50% failures (F₅₀) is determined. This F₅₀ value, reported in grams, is the dart impact strength.
The Finetech falling dart impact tester ASTM D1709 India defines two methods – here is the ASTM D1709 Method A vs Method B difference: Method A uses a 38 mm dart dropped from 660 mm for commodity films; Method B uses a 51 mm dart from 1500 mm for tougher films. The Finetech tester supports both with interchangeable dart heads and adjustable drop height.
Tip: The falling dart impact testing machine plastic film India is designed for flexible films only. For rigid plastics (moulded bars), use the Izod & Charpy Impact Tester. For packages, use the Drop Tester. Different tests, different machines.
Tip: When using the ASTM D1709 dart impact tester Method A Method B selection guide: start with Method A. If the lightest dart causes 100% failure, the film is too weak. If the heaviest dart causes 0% failure, switch to Method B.
Feature | Method A | Method B |
Drop Height | 660 mm | 1500 mm |
Dart Head Diameter | 38 mm | 51 mm |
Impact Velocity | ~3.60 m/s | ~5.42 m/s |
Typical Films | LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP (standard films) | Co-extruded, barrier, laminated, heavy-gauge films |
Weight Increments | 15–50 g steps | Larger steps |
Most Common | Yes – for most PE/PP film QC | For tougher films where Method A darts are too light |
The Bruceton staircase method works as follows:
Material | Typical F₅₀ (Method A) |
LDPE film (bags, liners) | 50–200 g |
LLDPE film (stretch, heavy-duty) | 100–400 g |
HDPE film (carry bags) | 50–150 g |
BOPP film (snack packaging) | 80–250 g |
Co-extruded barrier film | 200–800 g (Method B) |
Laminated pouches | 150–600 g |
Compostable/bio-based film | 20–120 g |
Note: Values are indicative. Actual results depend on film thickness, resin grade, and processing conditions.
Parameter | Specification |
Product Name | Dart Impact Tester (Falling Dart Impact Testing Machine) |
Method A Drop Height | 660 ±10 mm |
Method B Drop Height | 1500 ±10 mm |
Method A Dart Head | 38 mm hemispherical, polished steel/aluminium |
Method B Dart Head | 51 mm hemispherical, polished steel/aluminium |
Weight Increments | 2, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50 g (standard set included) |
Specimen Clamping | Pneumatic annular clamp, 125 mm exposure diameter |
Specimen Size | Minimum 230 × 230 mm |
Drop Mechanism | Electromagnetic release |
Air Supply | 4–6 bar compressed air |
Power Supply | 230V AC, single phase, 50 Hz |
Standards | ASTM D1709, ISO 7765-1, IS 2508 |
Certification | ISO 9001:2015 |
Key rule: Dart impact for films. Izod/Charpy for rigid plastics. Drop tester for packages.
Feature | Dart Impact Tester | Izod/Charpy Impact Tester | Drop Tester |
What It Tests | Flexible films/sheets | Rigid plastic bars | Complete packages |
Result | F₅₀ in grams | J or kJ/m² | Pass/fail damage assessment |
Standard | ASTM D1709, ISO 7765 | ASTM D256, ISO 179 | ASTM D5276, IS 7028 |
Both Method A and B in one machine. Ideal as a dart impact tester flexible packaging India choice. Interchangeable darts and adjustable height cover all films from thin LDPE to tough barrier packaging.
Pneumatic specimen clamping. Uniform clamping eliminates wrinkles and slack – the #1 source of scatter in dart impact results.
Electromagnetic release. True free-fall, no spin, no push. Dart hits at exactly the calculated velocity every time.
Precision weight set included. Complete incremental weights (2–50 g) for accurate staircase progression.
Manufacturer, not trader – the best dart impact tester price India value comes direct from our Thane facility. Built at our Thane facility. Direct spare parts, calibration, and AMC.
Product | Why Related |
Rigid plastic impact (different from dart for films) | |
Tensile testing of films per ASTM D882 | |
Conditioning specimens before testing | |
Cutting film tensile specimens | |
Package drop testing | |
Transport simulation for packaged films |
Customisation available
A machine that drops a weighted dart onto clamped plastic film. It determines the dart weight causing 50% failures (F₅₀), reported in grams. Standard method per ASTM D1709 and ISO 7765.
Minimum 20. Best practice 25–30. Cut from multiple positions across the film width for variability.
No. Dart impact is for flexible films. Use Izod/Charpy Impact Tester (ASTM D256) for rigid plastics.
Dart impact is sensitive to film thickness, resin molecular weight, blow-up ratio, and processing conditions. Always measure and record specimen thickness.
Yes. The Finetech ISO 7765 dart impact tester India meets ASTM D1709 and ISO 7765 requirements. Calibration certificates provided.
