Abstract
Plastic films are widely used in asbestos stripping operations as sheets to contain fibers within the operation and to bag and wrap asbestos waste. Mechanical failure of these films is not infrequent. The mechanical properties of single samples of seven Australian films were investigated and it was found that no film passed all tests to British Standard 4932: 1973. Thicker films with good tensile strength, elongation, tear resistance, and burst strength failed impact resistance and tensile-impact strength tests, while thin films had good impact properties. The results of these tests are discussed in terms of failure in the field, but the relationship between passing or failing a test and failure in the field is not known.