ASTM D4169-08
(Practice)Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This practice provides a guide for the evaluation of shipping units in accordance with a uniform system, using established test methods at levels representative of those occurring in actual distribution. The recommended test levels are based on available information on the shipping and handling environment, and current industry/government practice and experience (1-13). The tests should be performed sequentially on the same containers in the order given. For use as a performance test, this practice requires that the shipping unit tested remain unopened until the sequence of tests are completed. If used for other purposes, such as package development, it may be useful to open and inspect shipping units at various times throughout the sequence. This may, however, prohibit evaluating the influence of the container closure on container performance.
For Distribution Cycle 18, as referred to in MIL-STD-2073–1, the use of this practice is defined in subsequent sections identified as DC-18.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides a uniform basis of evaluating, in a laboratory, the ability of shipping units to withstand the distribution environment. This is accomplished by subjecting them to a test plan consisting of a sequence of anticipated hazard elements encountered in various distribution cycles. This practice is not intended to supplant material specifications or existing preshipment test procedures.
1.2 This practice does not include performance testing of packages for single parcel shipments (see Practice D 7386).
1.3 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardous materials has not been determined.
1.4 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.
1.5 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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Designation:D4169–08
Standard Practice for
1
Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4169; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope D999 Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Con-
tainers
1.1 This practice provides a uniform basis of evaluating, in
D4003 Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Impact
a laboratory, the ability of shipping units to withstand the
Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
distribution environment. This is accomplished by subjecting
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
them to a test plan consisting of a sequence of anticipated
Packaging Components for Testing
hazard elements encountered in various distribution cycles.
D4728 Test Method for Random Vibration Testing of Ship-
This practice is not intended to supplant material specifications
ping Containers
or existing preshipment test procedures.
D5265 Test Method for Bridge Impact Testing
1.2 This practice does not include performance testing of
D5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by
packages for single parcel shipments (see Practice D7386).
Free Fall
1.3 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardous
D5277 Test Method for Performing Programmed Horizon-
materials has not been determined.
tal Impacts Using an Inclined Impact Tester
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
D5487 TestMethodforSimulatedDropofLoadedContain-
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
ers by Shock Machines
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
D6055 Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized
and are not considered standard.
Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D6179 TestMethodsforRoughHandlingofUnitizedLoads
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
D6344 Test Method for Concentrated Impacts to Transport
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Packages
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
D6653 Test Methods for Determining the Effects of High
2. Referenced Documents Altitude on Packaging Systems by Vacuum Method
2
D7386 Practice for Performance Testing of Packages for
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Single Parcel Delivery Systems
D642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resis-
F1327 Terminology Relating to Barrier Materials for Medi-
tance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit
3
cal Packaging
Loads
4
2.2 Military Standards:
D880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Con-
MIL-STD-810F Environmental Test Methods
tainers and Systems
MIL-STD-2073–1 DOD Standard Practice for Military
D951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Con-
Packaging
tainers by Spray Method
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
3. Terminology
ments
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for the packaging and
distribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
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This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D10 on Packaging
3.2.1 acceptance criteria—the acceptable quality level that
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD10.21onShippingContainersand
must be met after the shipping unit has been subjected to the
Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2008. Published August 2008. Originally
test plan. See Section 7.
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D4169 – 05. DOI:
10.1520/D4169-08.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM on www.astm.org.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
the ASTM website. Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D4169–08
3.2.2 assurance level—the level of test intensity based on handling environment, and current industry/government prac-
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its probability of occurring in a typical distribution cycle. tice and experience
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D4169–05 Designation:D4169–08
Standard Practice for
1
Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4169; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1This practice provides a uniform basis of evaluating, in a laboratory, the ability of shipping units to withstand the distribution
environment. This is accomplished by subjecting them to a test plan consisting of a sequence of anticipated hazard elements
encountered in various distribution cycles.This practice is not intended to supplant material specifications or existing preshipment
test procedures.
1.2The suitability of this practice for use with hazardous materials has not been determined.
1.3This 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in 1.1.
1.1 Thispracticeprovidesauniformbasisofevaluating,inalaboratory,theabilityofshippingunitstowithstandthedistribution
environment. This is accomplished by subjecting them to a test plan consisting of a sequence of anticipated hazard elements
encountered in various distribution cycles.This practice is not intended to supplant material specifications or existing preshipment
test procedures.
1.2 This practice does not include performance testing of packages for single parcel shipments (see Practice D 7386).
1.3 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardous materials has not been determined.
1.4 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.
1.5 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
D 880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Containers and Systems
D 951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Containers by Spray Method
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D 999 Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers
D 4003 Test Methods o for Programmable Horizontal Impact Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
D 4728 Test Method for Random Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers
D 5265 Test Method for Bridge Impact Testing
D 5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall
D 5277 Test Method for Performing Programmed Horizontal Impacts Using an Inclined Impact Tester
D 5487 Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Containers by Shock Machines
D 6055 Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
D 6179 Test Methods for Rough Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
D 6344 Test Method for Concentrated Impacts to Transport Packages
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This practice 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.Aug. 1, 2005.2008. Published November 2005.August 2008. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20042005 as
D4169–04a.D 4169 – 05.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
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