ASTM D3103-20

Standard Test Method for Thermal Insulation Performance of Distribution Packages

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is intended for use for evaluating the performance of thermal insulated packaging used for high-value, high-risk materials. This test method may also be used for any product that requires accurate internal package temperature readings while being exposed to a range of external air temperatures.  
4.2 Certain items, such as biological materials, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and blood products, must be shipped inside temperature-controlled packages. Factors affecting the rate of heat transfer of the package include the insulation of the exterior package, the energy source, and the product payload.  
4.3 Because of the variety of factors affecting the performance of a thermally insulated package, testing should be conducted with the actual package whenever possible. When simulated packages are used, special care must be exercised so that the simulated payload and coolant will be as close as possible to the actual packages in temperature and other relevant physical properties.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the thermal insulation quality of a package and the thermal stability of its contents when exposed to variable ambient temperature conditions. It is suitable for testing packages with various internal energy sources with or without product payloads.  
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in 5.3.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2020
• ICS: 55.040 - Packaging materials and accessories
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.21 - Shipping Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D3103 − 20
Standard Test Method for
1
Thermal Insulation Performance of Distribution Packages
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3103; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 2.2 Other Standards:
3
ISTA 7D Temperature Test for Transport Packaging
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthethermal
insulation quality of a package and the thermal stability of its 3. Terminology
contents when exposed to variable ambient temperature con-
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for packaging and dis-
ditions. It is suitable for testing packages with various internal
tribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
energy sources with or without product payloads.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.1 data acquisition unit and associated system—single-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
or multi-channel recorder and its associated software and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
hardware utilizing thermocouples and thermistor sensors trace-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
able to NIST(National Institute for Standards andTechnology)
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
that collects and date stamps time and temperature.
Specific precautionary statements are given in 5.3.
3.2.2 draft-free atmosphere—an atmosphere where the test
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
specimens are isolated from direct air currents while surround-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ing air temperature is maintained uniformly throughout the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
chamber.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.2.3 eutectic system, n—a mixture or compound in which
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
pure solid phases changes occur at a well-defined specific
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
temperature.
3.2.4 exterior atmosphere—the atmosphere surrounding the
2. Referenced Documents
exterior surface of a package.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.5 interior atmosphere—the atmosphere in contact or
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
near the packaged item.
ments
3.2.6 mapping—collecting temperature data at a wide range
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
of locations inside a package or chamber to determine the
Packaging Components for Testing
variability of temperature range in the environment.
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
3.2.7 package system—thecombinationofexteriorpackage,
ASTM Test Methods
interior packaging, refrigerants, and product payload.
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method 3.2.8 product payload—the product and any associated
secondarypackagingthatistobetemperaturecontrolledwithin
the insulated test package.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on 3.2.9 refrigerants—eutectic materials, gel packs, ice, or
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping
othermaterialthatservesasanenergysourceorbuffermedium
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
within the package system.
Current edition approved April 1, 2020. Published June 2020. Originally
approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D3103 – 14. DOI:
3.2.10 secondary package—the package that contains the
10.1520/D3103-20.
primary container/closure system(s).
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from International SafeTransitAssociation (ISTA), 1400Abbott Rd.,
the ASTM website. Suite 160, East Lansing, MI 48823–1900, http://www.ista.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D3103 − 20
3.2.11 thermal conductivity, homogeneous material—the aircirculationatthedesiredtemperature.Anaccessportshould
rateofheatflow,understeadyconditionsthroughunitarea,per
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D3103 − 14 D3103 − 20
Standard Test Method for
1
Thermal Insulation Performance of Distribution Packages
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3103; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the thermal insulation quality of a package and the thermal stability of its
contents when exposed to variable ambient temperature conditions. It is suitable for testing packages with various internal energy
sources with or without product payloads.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in 5.3.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
2.2 Other Standards:
ISTA 5B 7D Focused Simulation Guide for Thermal Performance Testing of Temperature Controlled Temperature Test for
3
Transport Packaging
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for packaging and distribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 data acquisition unit and associated system—single- or multi-channel recorder and its associated software and hardware
utilizing thermocouples and thermistor sensors traceable to NIST (National Institute for Standards and Technology) that collects
and date stamps time and temperature.
3.2.2 draft-free atmosphere—an atmosphere where the test specimens are isolated from direct air currents while surrounding air
temperature is maintained uniformly throughout the chamber.
3.2.3 eutectic system, n—a mixture or compound in which pure solid phases changes occur at a well-defined specific
temperature.
3.2.4 exterior atmosphere—the atmosphere surrounding the exterior surface of a package.
3.2.5 interior atmosphere—the atmosphere in contact or near the packaged item.
3.2.6 mapping—collecting temperature data at a wide range of locations inside a package or chamber to determine the
variability of temperature range in the environment.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping Containers and
Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2014April 1, 2020. Published December 2014June 2020. Originally approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 20072014 as
ε1
D3103 – 07D3103 – 14. . DOI: 10.1520/D3103-14.10.1520/D3103-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), 1400 Abbott Rd., Suite 160, East Lansing, MI 48823–1900, http://www.ista.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3103 − 20
3.2.7 package system—the combination of exterior package, interior packaging, refrigerants, and product payload.
3.2.8 product payload—the product and any associated secondary packaging that is to be temperature controlled within the
insulated test package.
3.2.9 refrigerants—eutectic materials, gel packs, ice, or other material that serves as an e
...