ASTM D1185-98a(2003)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Pallets and Related Structures Employed in Materials Handling and Shipping
Standard Test Methods for Pallets and Related Structures Employed in Materials Handling and Shipping
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Static compression and bending tests provide data that are used to estimate stiffness, strength, and safe working loads for pallets under specified load and support conditions. These estimates provide a basis for designing pallets and comparing the performance between pallets of different designs and constructions.
Dynamic tests provide data which are used to estimate the physical durability and functionality of a pallet in specified material handling and shipping environments. These estimates provide a basis for designing single or multiple-use pallets.
Other tests may be performed to assess the properties of specific materials (Test Methods D 2395, D 4442, D 4444, and T 208 OM) and connecting devices (Test Methods D 1761, F 680, Test Method F 1575, and Specification F 1667), design features, use applications, and other variables encountered.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the performance of pallets and related structures, functioning as skids, bases, platforms, and bins in materials handling and shipping. Their use facilitates the protection of both packaged and unpackaged products during storage and transportation. The test methods include measurements of the relative resistance of pallets and related structures to deformations, damages, and structural failures which detrimentally affect the functionality of the unit load.
1.2 These test methods include conditioning requirements, static stiffness and strength tests, and dynamic tests of structural reliability. These test methods are used to evaluate the relative performance of new, used, or reconditioned general and special-purpose pallets fabricated from various materials including solid wood, wood composites, fiberboard, honeycomb, plastics, or metal, or to compare the performance of such pallets and related structures to specified performance criteria. Recommended criteria for all tests specified in this standard are listed in .
1.2.1 These test methods are also used to classify pallets as single- or multiple-use pallets and to determine the safe working loads for pallets under specified load and support conditions.
1.3 Nonmandatory Preliminary TestsBecause each pallet may be used under several different conditions of load and support, pallet-design considerations and safe working-load estimates shall be based on that condition under which the pallet offers least resistance or is most severely stressed.
1.3.1 Preliminary, short-duration static tests up to the ultimate (see , , and ) shall be performed on previously non-tested pallets to determine which load and support conditions influence most severely the pallet load-carrying capacity and safe working loads.
1.3.2 During the development of prototypes leading to designs that will be subject to acceptance testing, as described in , these preliminary tests shall include the free-fall drop tests in accordance with .
1.4 Mandatory Acceptance Tests
1.4.1 General-Purpose PalletsWhen the objective of the test is to determine the safe working load or to classify a general-purpose pallet as a single- or multiple-use pallet, all tests described in these test methods shall be performed in the order specified. The same pallet shall be used for all static and dynamic tests, where feasible.
1.4.2 Special-Purpose PalletsWhen the objective of the test is to determine the safe working load or to classify a special-purpose pallet, as a single- or multiple-use pallet, only those tests representing the intended condition of use shall be performed. Certain special-purpose pallet designs, because of the pallet size, its shape, or the material of fabrication, or combinations thereof, cannot be reliably tested using this methodology. When available, alternative test methods should be used.
1.4.3 Field Testing It is recommended that pallet designs passing these acceptance tests be further subjected to field testing in the distribution environment.
1.5 Simulation of the Distribution Environme...
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: D 1185 – 98a (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Methods for
Pallets and Related Structures Employed in Materials
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Handling and Shipping
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1185; 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 (e) 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 non-tested pallets to determine which load and support condi-
tions influence most severely the pallet load-carrying capacity
1.1 These test methods cover the performance of pallets and
and safe working loads.
related structures, functioning as skids, bases, platforms, and
1.3.2 During the development of prototypes leading to
bins in materials handling and shipping. Their use facilitates
designs that will be subject to acceptance testing, as described
the protection of both packaged and unpackaged products
in 1.4, these preliminary tests shall include the free-fall drop
during storage and transportation. The test methods include
tests in accordance with 9.1.
measurements of the relative resistance of pallets and related
1.4 Mandatory Acceptance Tests:
structures to deformations, damages, and structural failures
1.4.1 General-Purpose Pallets—When the objective of the
which detrimentally affect the functionality of the unit load.
test is to determine the safe working load or to classify a
1.2 These test methods include conditioning requirements,
general-purpose pallet as a single- or multiple-use pallet, all
static stiffness and strength tests, and dynamic tests of struc-
tests described in these test methods shall be performed in the
tural reliability. These test methods are used to evaluate the
order specified. The same pallet shall be used for all static and
relative performance of new, used, or reconditioned general
dynamic tests, where feasible.
and special-purpose pallets fabricated from various materials
1.4.2 Special-Purpose Pallets—When the objective of the
including solid wood, wood composites, fiberboard, honey-
test is to determine the safe working load or to classify a
comb, plastics, or metal, or to compare the performance of
special-purpose pallet, as a single- or multiple-use pallet, only
such pallets and related structures to specified performance
those tests representing the intended condition of use shall be
criteria. Recommended criteria for all tests specified in this
performed. Certain special–purpose pallet designs, because of
standard are listed in Appendix X2.
the pallet size, its shape, or the material of fabrication, or
1.2.1 These test methods are also used to classify pallets as
combinations thereof, cannot be reliably tested using this
single- or multiple-use pallets and to determine the safe
methodology. When available, alternative test methods should
working loads for pallets under specified load and support
be used.
conditions.
1.4.3 Field Testing—It is recommended that pallet designs
1.3 Nonmandatory Preliminary Tests—Because each pallet
passing these acceptance tests be further subjected to field
may be used under several different conditions of load and
testing in the distribution environment.
support, pallet-design considerations and safe working-load
1.5 Simulation of the Distribution Environment—These test
estimates shall be based on that condition under which the
methods are not intended to lead to exact simulations of pallet
pallet offers least resistance or is most severely stressed.
performance in the distribution environment. These test meth-
1.3.1 Preliminary, short-duration static tests up to the ulti-
ods are designed to relate to practice with the added provision
mate (see 8.2, 8.3, and 8.4) shall be performed on previously
that they are repeatable, do not depend on exceptional skills,
and are safe to conduct without elaborate precautions. The test
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These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
findings are not expected to lead to unalterable conclusions.
Packaging and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping
Containers and Systems—Application of Performance Test Methods.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1998. Published March 1999. Originally
published as D 1185 – 51 T. Last previous edition D 1185 – 98.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D 1185 – 98a (2003)
Testing in the distribution environment may be necessary to 3.2 datum load—a preload level applied to the specimen to
verify the results obtained from laboratory tests. reduce t
...
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