ASTM D4577-05(2010)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant Load
Standard Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant Load
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
In the distribution system for many products there is a phase wherein the packaged product may be stored for a period of time in a manner such that one or more containers are superimposed one upon the other. The bottom package is thus continually stressed with a constant load.
This test method subjects a container, empty or filled, to a predetermined static load, and to specified atmospheric conditions, if required.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is designed to determine the resistance of a shipping container to a vertically applied constant load for either a specified time or to failure. The test method may also be used for palletized or unitized load configurations.
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 whoever uses this standard to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D4577 − 05 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Test Method for
Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant
Load
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4577; 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 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for the packaging and
1.1 This test method is designed to determine the resistance
distribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
of a shipping container to a vertically applied constant load for
either a specified time or to failure. The test method may also
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
be used for palletized or unitized load configurations.
3.2.1 load—the force applied to a body, lbf or N.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.2.2 constant load—a load that is invariable or unchanging
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.3 static load—an imposed stationary force, constant in
responsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult and
magnitude, direction, and sense
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Significance and Use
For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.
4.1 In the distribution system for many products there is a
phasewhereinthepackagedproductmaybestoredforaperiod
2. Referenced Documents
of time in a manner such that one or more containers are
2.1 ASTM Standards: superimposed one upon the other. The bottom package is thus
D642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance continually stressed with a constant load.
of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
4.2 This test method subjects a container, empty or filled, to
D644 Test Method for Moisture Content of Paper and
a predetermined static load, and to specified atmospheric
Paperboard by Oven Drying (Withdrawn 2010)
conditions, if required.
D685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products
for Testing
5. Apparatus
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
5.1 The testing apparatus shall be capable of imposing a
ments
constant load on the test specimen and may be hydraulically,
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
pneumatically, or mechanically activated. A test apparatus
Packaging Components for Testing
employing dead weights to impose the constant load may be
D4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measure-
used, as in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Compression machines may also
ment of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
be used, as in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, and shall contain two platens,
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,With
or suitable framework and fixturing, one stationary and one
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
movable in the vertical direction. The movable platen may be
Lot or Process
swiveled (floating) or fixed and should have proper
mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic linkages to permit top-to-
bottom loading. If the floor where the test is to be conducted is
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
subject to severe vibration, it may be necessary to vibration-
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping
isolate the test apparatus. The test device should have a timer
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
for measuring the period of time required to cause container
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2010. Published October 2010. Originally
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D4577 – 05. DOI:
failure and means such as a dial indicator to measure box
10.1520/D4577-05R10.
deformation (inches or millimetres) while under load, or an
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
autographicrecordingdevicethatrecordsloadanddeformation
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on over a period of time.
the ASTM website.
5.2 Closing Equipment for Fiberboard Boxes—Whenempty
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. boxes are to be tested, suitable closing facilities such as sealing
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4577 − 05 (2010)
FIG. 1 Containers Under Constant Load of Dead Weights Imposed by Other Containers
boards and proper adhesive for closing the flaps of box 6. Safety Precautions
specimens shall be used. See Test Method D642.
6.1 Performance of a test should never be considered
5.3 Conditioning Apparatus—Adequate facilities shall be without regard to safety. Some apparent precautions against
provided to maintain a conditioned atmosphere of temperature injuries are:
and humidity as required for the purpose of the test.
6.1.1 Careandcautionshouldbeobservedwhileplacingthe
shipping container filled or unfilled on the testing apparatus.
5.4 Miscellaneous Equipment—Drying oven, scales, knife,
6.1.2 The testing apparatus should have load arrestors or
saws, etc., for use in determination of the moisture content or
safety interlocks to prevent complete crushing of the container
for making other supplementary tests of the materials from
after initial failure.
which the containers are made. When testing unit loads, it is
recommended that an empty pallet be placed on top of the unit 6.1.3 When using dead weights, caution should be taken
load test specimen to achieve conditions similar to actual use. when loading and unloading the weights from the apparatus.
D4577 − 05 (2010)
FIG. 2 Container Under Constant Load of Dead Weights
7. Test Specimens and Number of Tests test specimen as described in the Annex of Test Method D642
will accomplish this, but any method that will produce the
7.1 The containers being tested shall be complete in all
same results may be used.
respects.Dependingonthepurposeofthetest,interiorpacking
mayormaynotbeincluded.Norelatedbracingmaterialwithin
9. Conditioning
theboxesthatwillgivefalseresultsastosamplebehaviorshall
9.1 When required, the container should be conditioned for
be used. Tests may be made on containers with or without
contents as prescribed. Packed containers should be closed and the static load test by exposure to fixed or controlled variable
conditions of temperature and humidity.
secured in the same manner as will be used in preparing them
for shipment (for example, tape, strapping). 9.1.1 Where applicable, a special atmosphere selected from
those specified in Practice D4332 may be used.
7.2 Performance normally should be based on tests of not
fewer than five representative specimens of a given size and 9.2 The test container shall be preconditioned in the desired
atmosphere for such a time as is necessary to bring the
type of container. For large production runs, lot sampling is
advised. Application of Practice E122 is suggested. container into equilibrium with that atmosphere and using the
techniques given in Practice D685.
7.3 For testing unitized loads, multiple specimens are rec-
ommended but a single specimen is permissable.
10. Acceptance Criteria
8. Closing Fiberboard Containers Using Adhesive
10.1 Acceptance criteria must be established prior to testing
8.1 Close the box specimen so as to avoid distortions that and should consider the required condition of the product at
may affect its loadbearing ability. The method of preparing the receipt. The organizations conducting the test may choose any
D4577 − 05 (2010)
FIG. 3 Container Under Constant Load in Compression Test Machine With Fixed Platen
should the load exceed 85 % of the test value derived by Method D642
acceptance criteria suitable for their purpose. It is advisable to
testing.
compare test results from proposed containers with the test
results on similar containers whose shipping history is known.
11.2 Whenusingacompressionmachine(Fig.3andFig.4),
center the specimen on the bottom platen of the testing
10.2 Inmanycases,theacceptancecriteriaofapackagethat
apparatus so as not to incur eccentric loading. Induce the test
has been subjected to the test plan can be one of the following:
loadonthespecimen.Theloadshallbeslowlyappliedatanear
Criterion 1—Product is damage-free.
uniform rate until the container supports the entire load. When
Criterion 2—Package is intact.
using dead weights (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), this is accomplished by
Other acceptance criteria, including provision for accepting
lowering the support jacks and completely freeing the upper
minimal damage to the product or package, may be indicated.
platen.
Acceptance criteria may i
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