ASTM D1894 is a test method for measuring the static (starting) and kinetic (sliding) coefficients of friction (COF) for plastic film and sheeting as it slides over itself or over another specified surface.
It is widely used to compare “slip” behavior for packaging films and other thin plastic products where handling, winding, bag making, and converting performance depend on controlled friction levels. If you need help aligning the right edition and setup to your material or customer requirement, contact our team.
Standard Test Method for Static and Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of Plastic Film and Sheeting (ASTM D1894)
ASTM D1894 defines a practical COF measurement approach using a sled-and-plane arrangement to quantify the force needed to start motion and the force needed to maintain motion under controlled conditions.
Because film friction is strongly surface-driven, results are typically used for product development, incoming inspection, production control, and supplier/customer comparisons where consistent test conditions matter.
Quick definition
Document type: Test method.
What it measures: Static (starting) and kinetic (sliding) coefficients of friction for plastic film and sheeting.
Typical output: COF values used to evaluate “slip” behavior for handling and converting.
What This Standard Covers
ASTM D1894 covers determining coefficients of starting and sliding friction for plastic film and sheeting when one surface slides against another surface (often film-to-film, but the method also allows film-to-other-substrate comparisons when defined by the user).
The method allows either a stationary sled with a moving plane or a moving sled with a stationary plane, and it also allows optional testing at temperatures other than typical ambient by controlling the plane temperature while the sled remains at ambient.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
For many film products, COF directly affects how the web behaves during unwinding/rewinding, how bags open and separate, how stacks feed, and how parts slide during automated handling. COF targets are also frequently used as acceptance criteria between resin suppliers, film extruders, converters, and brand owners.
ASTM D1894 is commonly used for comparative control purposes, and the standard highlights that results can be sensitive to surface condition, time/aging effects (including slip-additive behavior), and test-condition consistency.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
ASTM D1894 is commonly applied to:
- Packaging films (for example, polyolefin-based films where slip behavior is often specified)
- Monolayer and multilayer plastic films used in converting operations
- Plastic sheeting where surface friction influences handling and processing
- Film surfaces evaluated as-produced or after aging/conditioning (when specified by an internal or customer procedure)
Common Test or Verification Workflow
Most labs use ASTM D1894 as a repeatable comparison method rather than a “simulate every end-use” test. A typical workflow includes defining the contacting surfaces (film side and counterface), conditioning and handling practices, then running multiple replicates to obtain static and kinetic COF values suitable for QC trending and specification checks.
Common workflows: Incoming material verification, process adjustments for film slip, supplier qualification, product-development comparisons, and troubleshooting handling or sticking/blocking complaints.
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
ASTM D1894 is typically performed with a controlled-speed drive system and force measurement while a sled and specimen move relative to a flat plane. Many labs use a dedicated coefficient-of-friction (COF) tester, while others run the method using a universal testing system equipped with an appropriate COF fixture and a low-force load measurement capability.
Common equipment elements: COF sled and plane fixture, controlled-speed motion system (constant relative speed), load cell/force sensor sized for low friction forces, and software/data acquisition to capture peak (static) and steady-state (kinetic) force behavior.
If you are selecting between a dedicated COF tester versus a universal testing system with a friction fixture (or you need to match force range and throughput to your film type), you can request a detailed quote for an equipment configuration aligned to your lab workflow.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
Example designation: ASTM D1894-24.
What the suffix means: The number after the dash indicates the year of the standard’s issue/revision for that edition. Test conditions, allowable apparatus options, and reporting expectations can vary by edition, so purchase specifications should cite the exact year (for example, “ASTM D1894-24”).
Revision sensitivity: Medium to high. COF results are sensitive to setup details and conditioning, so matching the cited edition and any customer-specific modifications is important when comparing results across sites.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks
ASTM D1894 includes a note pointing users to ASTM G143 for friction behavior involving film partially wrapped around a cylinder (capstan-type friction). It also notes that results are not directly comparable to ISO 8295 (different method basis), which is important when suppliers and customers reference different COF standards.
Material specifications may also reference ASTM D1894 with procedural modifications; when that happens, the material specification typically takes precedence for acceptance testing.
Talk with us about ASTM D1894 testing setups
If you’re building or upgrading a COF testing capability for film and sheeting—especially when you need to match a customer’s cited edition, surface pairing, or temperature option—talk with our team about the right equipment path and configuration for your throughput and force range.