ASTM D5276-98(2004)

Standard Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is intended for use in evaluating the capability of a container to withstand the sudden shock resulting from a free fall, or to evaluate the capability of a container and its inner packing to protect its contents during the sudden shock resulting from a free fall. This test method may also be used to compare the performance of different package designs. This test method may also permit observation of the progressive failure of a container and the damage to its contents.
This test method is particularly suitable for containers that are normally handled manually during some part of their distribution cycle. Containers of such bulk or mass that they cannot be handled manually may be tested more satisfactorily in accordance with Test Method D 880, Test Methods D 6055, Test Methods D 6179, or Test Methods D 4003. See Practice D 4169 for additional guidance.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers procedures for the drop testing of loaded boxes, cylindrical containers, and bags and sacks by the free-fall method.
1.2 For containers not exceeding 110 lb (50 kg), this test method fulfills the requirements of ISO Standards 2206:1987 and 2248:1985.  Caution-These ISO standards may describe procedures that do not meet the requirements for this test method.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-1998
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.21 - Shipping Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5276-98 - Standard Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Replaced By: ASTM D5276-98(2009) - Standard Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D4169-22 - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D6804-19 - Standard Guide for Hand Hole Design in Corrugated Boxes
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM E920-97(2019) - Standard Specification for Commercially Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D6537-00(2021) - Standard Practice for Instrumented Package Shock Testing For Determination of Package Performance
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D6198-18 - Standard Guide for Transport Packaging Design
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D4168-95(2021) - Standard Test Methods for Transmitted Shock Characteristics of Foam-in-Place Cushioning Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM E921-97(2022) - Standard Specification for Export Packaged Laboratory Apparatus
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D4279-95(2022) - Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Shipping Containers—Constant and Cycle Methods
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D6179-20 - Standard Test Methods for Rough Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D4919-23 - Standard Guide for Testing of Hazardous Materials (Dangerous Goods) Packagings
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D5487-16(2022) - Standard Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Containers by Shock Machines
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM F963-17 - Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D4504-94(2018) - Standard Specification for Molded Polyethylene Open-Head-Pails for Industrial Shipping of Nonhazardous Goods
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D5276–98(Reapproved2004)
Standard Test Method for
1
Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5276; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Packaging Components for Testing
D6055 TestMethodsforMechanicalHandlingofUnitized
1.1 This test method covers procedures for the drop testing
Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
of loaded boxes, cylindrical containers, and bags and sacks by
D6179 Test Methods for Rough Handling of Unitized
the free-fall method.
Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
1.2 For containers not exceeding 110 lb (50 kg), this test
E122 Practice for Choice of Sample Size to Estimate a
method fulfills the requirements of ISO Standards2206:1987
Measure of Quality for a Lot or Process
and 2248:1985. Caution—These ISO standards may describe
E680 Test Method for Drop Weight Impact Sensitivity of
procedures that do not meet the requirements for this test
Solid-Phase Hazardous Materials
method.
2.2 ISO Standards:
1.3 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
ISO2206 Packaging—CompleteFilledTransportPackages,
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
3
Identification of Parts When Testing
information only.
ISO2248 Packaging—CompleteFilledTransportPackages,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3
Vertical Impact Test by Dropping
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2.3 Code of Federal Regulations:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4
Title 49 —Transportation (49 CFR)
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Terminology
2. Referenced Documents 3.1 Definitions—General terms for packaging and distribu-
2 tion environments are found in Terminology D996.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
D585 Practice for Sampling andAccepting a Single Lot of
3.2.1 cylinder—for the purposes of this test method, a
Paper, Paperboard, Fiberboard, and Related Product
cylinder includes substantially cylindrical containers such as
D644 Test Method for Moisture Content of Paper and
barrels,drums,kegs,andpails(fiber,metal,plastic,orwood,or
Paperboard by Oven Drying
combinations thereof).
D880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Con-
3.2.2 member—a face, corner, or edge of a rectangular
tainers and Systems
container; a chime, end, or sidewall of a cylindrical container;
D996 TerminologyofPackagingandDistributionEnviron-
or a face, edge, corner, or butt of a bag or sack.
ments
D2463 Test Method for Drop Impact Resistance of Blow-
4. Significance and Use
Molded Thermoplastic Containers
4.1 This test method is intended for use in evaluating the
D4003 Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Impact
capability of a container to withstand the sudden shock
Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
resulting from a free fall, or to evaluate the capability of a
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
containeranditsinnerpackingtoprotectitscontentsduringthe
tainers and Systems
sudden shock resulting from a free fall. This test method may
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
also be used to compare the performance of different package
designs. This test method may also permit observation of the
1 progressive failure of a container and the damage to its
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
PackagingandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD10.22onHandlingand contents.
Transportation.
Current edition approved April 10, 1998. Published February 1999. Originally
published as D5276–92. Last previous edition D5276–94.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or AvailablefromtheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute,11W.42ndSt.,13th
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Floor., New York, NY 10036.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
the ASTM website. Office, Washington, DC 20402.
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D5276–98 (2004)
4.2 This test method is particularly suitable for containers 5.1.6.1 For testing of 49 CFR—DOT 21C fiber drums, a 2
that are normally handled manually during some part of their by6-in.(51by152-mm)timber,witha6-in.(152-mm)vertical
distribution cycl
...