ASTM D4279-95(2009)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Shipping Containers-Constant and Cycle Methods
Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Shipping Containers-Constant and Cycle Methods
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These test methods are normally used for the following purposes:
To evaluate materials and constructions for a specific type of container,
To compare performance of different types of containers,
To determine adequacy of protection for a specific product or application, and
To maintain quality control.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of water vapor transmission rates for bulk shipping containers, as follows:
1.1.1 Method A, for Reclosable Containers, and
1.1.2 Method B, for Containers Not Designed for Reclosing.
1.2 Within each procedure details are given for the constant and cycle methods of test atmosphere.
1.3 The test may be applied to the container as packed, or after one or more performance tests such as drum (Method D 782), vibration (Methods D 999), drop (Test Method D 5276), impact resistance (Test Methods D 880, D 4003, and D 5277), or performance tests (Practice D 4169), as required.
1.4 For small shipping containers requiring greater accuracy in weighing, the water vapor transmission may be determined in accordance with Test Method D 895 or Test Method D 1251.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 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.
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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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D4279 − 95 (Reapproved 2009)
Standard Test Methods for
Water Vapor Transmission of Shipping Containers—
Constant and Cycle Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4279; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Hexagonal Drum (Withdrawn 1999)
D880Test Method for ImpactTesting for Shipping Contain-
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of water
ers and Systems
vapor transmission rates for bulk shipping containers, as
D895Test Method for Water Vapor Permeability of Pack-
follows:
ages (Withdrawn 1999)
1.1.1 Method A, for Reclosable Containers, and
D996Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
1.1.2 Method B, for Containers Not Designed for Reclos-
ments
ing.
D999Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Con-
1.2 Within each procedure details are given for the constant
tainers
and cycle methods of test atmosphere.
D1251Test Method for Water Vapor Permeability of Pack-
ages by Cycle Method (Withdrawn 1999)
1.3 The test may be applied to the container as packed, or
D4003Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Impact
after one or more performance tests such as drum (Method
Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
D782), vibration (Methods D999), drop (Test Method D5276),
D4169Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
impactresistance(TestMethodsD880,D4003,andD5277),or
tainers and Systems
performance tests (Practice D4169), as required.
D5276Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by
1.4 Forsmallshippingcontainersrequiringgreateraccuracy
Free Fall
in weighing, the water vapor transmission may be determined
D5277Test Method for Performing Programmed Horizontal
in accordance with Test Method D895 or Test Method D1251.
Impacts Using an Inclined Impact Tester
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3. Terminology
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for the packaging and
and are not considered standard.
distribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.1 water vapor transmission rate of a shipping container
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(constant atmosphere method)—for the purpose of this test
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
method,therateatwhichwateristransmittedintothecontainer
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
from the test atmosphere (normally of 90 6 2% relative
humidity and a temperature of 100° 6 2°F (37.8° 6 1.1°C)
2. Referenced Documents
surrounding it while a desiccant is sealed within.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.2 water vapor transmission into a container (cycle
D782Test Method for Shipping Containers in Revolving
atmosphere method)—forthistestmethod,theamountofwater
transmitted into the container from the test atmosphere during
one cycle while a desiccant is sealed within.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping
3.2.3 cycle—oneseriesoftestatmospherestowhichthetest
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
specimens are exposed. Normally one cycle will consist of 1
Current edition approved March 1, 2009. Published March 2009. Originally
week of exposure to a temperature of 0° 6 5°F (−17.8° 6
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D4279–95(2003).
DOI: 10.1520/D4279-95R09.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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 The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4279 − 95 (2009)
2.8°C) to be followed by 3 weeks of exposure at a temperature 6.2 The performance shall be based on tests of not less than
of 100° 6 2°F (37.8° 6 1.1°C) and a relative humidity of 90 two representative specimens of a given size and type of
62%. container.
4. Significance and Use 7. Procedure
4.1 These test methods are normally used for the following 7.1 Locate the weighing receptacle or receptacles centrally
purposes: within the test specimen, using a nonabsorptive support when
4.1.1 To evaluate materials and constructions for a specific required. Place the selected quantity of the desiccant in the
type of container, receptacle sufficient to uniformly cover the area of the recep-
4.1.2 Tocompareperformanceofdifferenttypesofcontain- tacletoadepthofnotlessthan ⁄2in.(13mm).Cover,andafter
ers, weighing,immediatelytransferintothetestspecimen.Uncover
4.1.3 To determine adequacy of protection for a specific the receptacle and close and seal the specimen in the normal
product or application, and manner. The desiccant may require one or more replacements
4.1.4 To maintain quality control. if it becomes noticeably moist during the test.
NOTE 1—When the test is conducted to determine the water vapor
METHOD A—RECLOSABLE CONTAINERS
transmission of the shipping container for research, development, manu-
facturing control, specification acceptance, etc., a desiccant shall be used
5. Apparatus
as the water absorbing medium. When the test is used to determine the
5.1 Desiccant—Adesiccant shall be used that has a power-
suitability of the shipping container with respect to water vapor resistance
for a particular product, the product shall be used in lieu of the desiccant.
ful affinity for water and a high drying efficiency, that is, a low
vapor pressure after absorbing a large amount of water. The
7.2 Place the specimen inside the test room or cabinet in a
desiccant shall be in the form of small lumps that will pass a
position where free access of the conditioned circulating air is
No. 8 (2.36-mm) sieve and be free from fines that will pass a
provided on all surfaces of the container according to the
No. 30 (600-µm) sieve. Anhydrous calcium chloride and
following:
anhydrous magnesium perchlorate have been found suitable.
7.2.1 Constant Atmosphere Method—Normally surrounding
When the test is made to determine the suitability of a specific
conditionsare90 62%relativehumidityandatemperatureof
container for a particular product, that product may be used
100° 6 2°F (37.7° 6 1.1°C).
inside the test specimen instead of the desiccant, in which case
7.2.2 Cycle Atmosphere Method—Place the specimen in the
the specimen shall be filled to normal capacity.
low temperature test room or cabinet (normally maintained at
0°F (−17.8°C) for a period of 1 week. Follow immediately by
5.2 Weighing Balance—A weighing balance accurate to
3 weeks of exposure to the high temperature and humidity
within 1 g shall be used. When the required amount of
(normally 100°F (37.8°C) and 90% relative humidity).
desiccant is greater than can be weighed on a balance of this
sensitivity, two or more receptacles shall be used and weighed
7.3 Make successive weighings of the receptacle at suitable
individually.Whenproducttestsaremade,aregularlaboratory
intervals and plot the mass gained against time using these
balance and drying oven or other appropriate equipment are
schedules:
required for making standard moisture determinations peculiar
7.3.1 Constant Method—Accuracy of the test is adversely
to the product.
affected by too frequent weighings. F
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