Description
The Thwing-Albert Dart Drop Impact Tester is designed for laboratories that need accurate, operator-safe impact resistance testing of plastic films, flexible packaging materials, coated papers, and geotextiles. It meets ASTM D1709 (Method A and Method B) and ISO 7765-1, making it suitable for quality control, R&D, and compliance testing across the packaging, plastics, and converting industries.
How to run a dart drop test per ASTM D1709?
The free-falling dart method works by dropping a weighted dart from a fixed height onto a clamped film specimen and recording whether the film fails. By testing a series of specimens at incrementally increasing or decreasing dart weights, labs can determine the energy (expressed as dart weight in grams) at which 50% of specimens fail — the standard measure of impact resistance per ASTM D1709.
A pneumatic sample clamp secures the specimen for both operator safety and consistent test-to-test repeatability. The operator simultaneously activates dual switches mounted on both sides of the instrument — a two-hand control design that is a key safety feature. The clamping sequence is automatic and two-stage: low pressure first positions the sample, followed by high pressure before dart release. The dart then releases automatically, eliminating manual variation. A cushioned dart landing area protects the dart head between tests.
ASTM D1709 Method A vs. Method B, Which Do You Need?
| Â | Method A | Method B |
|---|---|---|
| Dart Diameter | 38.1 mm (1.5 in) | 50.8 mm (2 in) — stainless steel |
| Drop Height | 0.66 m (26 in) | 1.524 m (60 in) |
| Instrument Dimensions (W × D × H) | 41 × 41 × 120 cm (16 × 16 × 47 in) | 41 × 41 × 206 cm (16 × 16 × 81 in) |
| Instrument Weight | 18 kg (40 lbs) | — |
Thwing-Albert offers instruments configured for Method A only, or for both methods combined. The Method A/B configuration includes an extended pole, stainless steel dart, additional 300 g weight set, 3 ft acrylic tube with dart access opening, extended plumb bob, and foot switch assembly. Note: the foot switch assembly is for Method B use only.
Dart Head Options
| Material | Diameter | Weight | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phenolic | 38.1 mm (1.5 in) | 50 g | A |
| Aluminum | 38.1 mm (1.5 in) | 50 g | A |
| Stainless Steel | 50.8 mm (2 in) | 300 g | B |
A wide range of incremental weights is included with the instrument, allowing labs to follow the staircase method required by ASTM D1709.
Air Requirements
The pneumatic clamp system requires a filtered, non-condensing compressed air supply regulated to 60 psi (414 kPa). Input pressure below 60 psi will slow the release mechanism; higher pressure will speed it up.
