ASTM D7176-22 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM D7176-22 — Standard Specification for Non‑Reinforced Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Geomembranes Used in Buried Applications. This specification establishes material, test, workmanship and marking requirements for unreinforced PVC flexible sheeting used as concealed containment geomembranes (for example ponds, canals, reservoirs, landfill liners and other buried/covered installations).

Abstract

Defines minimum material composition and performance characteristics, referenced test methods, and manufacturing/fabrication criteria for non‑reinforced PVC geomembranes intended for use in buried or otherwise inaccessible installations. The standard is intended to ensure material quality and field performance but is not a design standard for in‑place containment system design.

General information

• Status: Active (current edition D7176‑22).
• Publication date: Approved Oct 1, 2022; published October 2022 (edition indicated by “‑22”).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 59.080.70 (Geotextiles / geosynthetics).
• Edition / version: D7176‑22 (2022).
• Number of pages: 5 pages (concise specification).

Scope

This specification covers unreinforced PVC geomembrane sheeting intended for concealed/buried containment applications. Typical sheet thickness covered by the standard ranges from 0.25 mm through 1.5 mm (0.010 in through 0.060 in). The standard includes requirements for materials and sheeting, referenced test methods, workmanship criteria, marking, and provisions for use of reworked material where permitted by Section 5 of the document. It is focused on material qualification and quality assurance rather than in‑place engineering design.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of product type: non‑reinforced PVC geomembrane (unreinforced flexible sheeting) and typical applications (ponds, canals, reservoirs, landfill liners, covers, closures).
• Material composition and formulation expectations (PVC resin as the primary polymer in the sheeting; standard references typical compositional limits and compounding practices).
• Dimensional and physical property requirements (thickness, density, tensile/elongation and other properties evaluated by referenced ASTM test methods).
• Referenced ASTM test methods and related procedures are cited for verification and QA (example referenced methods include general polymer and coated‑fabric test methods used to measure density, tensile performance, thickness, etc.).
• Workmanship, marking and packaging criteria to ensure traceability and that the membrane is suitable for concealed/buried use; provisions for limited reworked material when allowed.

Typical use and users

Used by manufacturers, fabricators and quality‑assurance laboratories to specify and verify product compliance; by design engineers, environmental/geotechnical consultants and specifiers writing procurement documents for liners and buried containment systems; by contractors and owners for acceptance testing and inspection of supplied membrane materials prior to installation.

Related standards

ASTM D7176 is published under the jurisdiction of Committee D35 on Geosynthetics (Subcommittee D35.06). Related ASTM documents commonly referenced in geosynthetic and geomembrane specifications include standards for seam testing, seam requirements, other geomembrane materials (for example EPDM, polypropylene), and a range of ASTM test methods for physical and chemical testing of geomembranes. See ASTM geotechnical/geosynthetics listings for neighboring specifications and test methods.

Keywords

PVC geomembrane, non‑reinforced PVC, geomembrane, pond liner, landfill liner, buried containment membrane, polyvinyl chloride, geosynthetic, membrane marking, workmanship, QA/QC.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D7176‑22 is the ASTM International specification that defines material, testing, workmanship and marking requirements for non‑reinforced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) geomembranes intended for buried or otherwise concealed containment applications.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers unreinforced PVC flexible sheeting used as geomembranes, specifying scope and limits (including typical thickness range 0.25 mm–1.5 mm / 0.010 in–0.060 in), referenced test methods, and acceptance/marking/workmanship provisions for product qualification and quality assurance. It is not a design guide for in‑place containment systems.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers and fabricators for product specification and production control; testing laboratories for compliance verification; engineers, owners and environmental/geotechnical consultants and contractors for procurement and acceptance of geomembrane materials.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The current active edition is D7176‑22 (approved/published October 2022). Earlier historical editions (for example D7176‑06 and interim revisions) have been superseded by the 2022 edition. Users should confirm the edition required by their project or contract.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ASTM Committee D35’s geosynthetics suite of specifications and guides (Subcommittee D35.06 handles geosynthetic specifications). Related geomembrane and geosynthetic test methods and specifications are published within the same committee/volumes.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: PVC geomembrane, non‑reinforced, buried geomembrane, pond liner, landfill liner, polyvinyl chloride, geosynthetic, workmanship, QA/QC.