ASTM D1974-98(2003)

Standard Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing, and Reinforcing Fiberboard Boxes

SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes several methods for closing, sealing, and reinforcing fiberboard (solid and corrugated, excluding triple wall) shipping boxes used for shipment. One or several methods listed in this practice may be referenced in regulations, specifications, or contracts. (See Appendix for cross reference).
1.2 This practice is intended to be workable in both inchpound units and SI units. Unit conversions are intended to be functional but are not necessarily exact; this should not significantly affect the performance of the closing, sealing, or reinforcing methods. Descriptions in inch-pound and SI units are considered interchangeable in this practice.
Note 1—All references to this standard should be made by closure number.
1.3 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
• ICS: 55.180.20 - General purpose pallets
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.27 - Fiberboard Shipping Containers, Containerboard and Related Structures and Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D1974-98 - Standard Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing, and Reinforcing Fiberboard Boxes
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Replaced By: ASTM D1974/D1974M-10 - Standard Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing, and Reinforcing Fiberboard Boxes
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2010
• Referred By: ASTM B660-21 - Standard Practices for Packaging/Packing of Aluminum and Magnesium Products
• 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 D5118/D5118M-22 - Standard Practice for Fabrication of Fiberboard Shipping Boxes
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D5486/D5486M-06(2020) - Standard Specification for Pressure-Sensitive Tape for Packaging, Box Closure, and Sealing
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Referred By: ASTM D5570/D5570M-10(2022) - Standard Test Method for Water Resistance of Tape and Adhesives Used as Box Closure
• 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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D1974 – 98 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Practice for
Methods of Closing, Sealing, and Reinforcing Fiberboard
1
Boxes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1974; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope Elongation of Pressure-Sensitive Tape
D3950 Specification for Strapping, Nonmetallic (and Join-
1.1 This practice describes several methods for closing,
ing Methods)
sealing, and reinforcing fiberboard (solid and corrugated,
D3953 Specification for Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals
excluding triple wall) shipping boxes used for shipment. One
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
or several methods listed in this practice may be referenced in
tainers and Systems
regulations, specifications, or contracts. (See Appendix for
D4675 Guide for Selection and Use of Flat Strapping
cross reference).
Materials
1.2 This practice is intended to be workable in both inch-
D4727/D4727M Specification for Corrugated and Solid
pound units and SI units. Unit conversions are intended to be
Fiberboard Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut Shapes
functional but are not necessarily exact; this should not
D5118/D5118M Practice for Fabrication of Fiberboard
significantly affect the performance of the closing, sealing, or
Shipping Boxes
reinforcing methods. Descriptions in inch-pound and SI units
D5330/D5330M Specification for Pressure-Sensitive Tape
are considered interchangeable in this practice.
for Packaging, Filament-Reinforced
NOTE 1—All references to this standard should be made by closure
D5486/D5486M Specification for Pressure-Sensitive Tape
number.
for Packaging, Box Closure, and Sealing
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D5570 Test Method for Water Resistance of Tape and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Adhesives Used as Box Closure
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
D5749 Specification for Reinforced and Plain Gummed
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Tape for Sealing and Securing
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
F592 Terminology of Collated and Cohered Fasteners and
Their Application Tools
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.2 U.S. Government Documents:
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
MMM-A-250 Adhesive, Water Resistant (For Closure of
D644 Test Method for Moisture Content of Paper and
Fiberboard Boxes)
Paperboard by Oven Drying
2.3 Other Standards:
4
D951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Con-
International Fiberboard Case Code
tainers by Spray Method
5
NOTE 2—FEFCO established a code of box styles to facilitate inter-
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
national trade. The box codes consist of four-digit numbers; for example,
ments
a regular slotted container was assigned the code 0201.
D3654/D3654M Test Methods for Shear Adhesion of
Pressure-Sensitive Tapes 3. Terminology
D3759/D3759M Test Method for Breaking Strength and
3.1 General definitions for packaging and distribution envi-
ronments are found in Terminology D996.
3.2 Definitions:
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D10 on Packaging
3.2.1 crown—staple end opposite staple point, connecting
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.27 on Paper and Paperboard.
both staple legs and providing bearing area (F592).
Current edition approved April 10, 1998. Published March 1999. Originally
publishedasD1974–91.LastpreviouseditionD1974–94a.DOI:10.1520/D1974-
98R03.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Standardization Documents, Order Desk, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, ATTN: NPODS.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on International Fiberboard Case Code, European Federation of Manufacturers of
the ASTM website. CorrugatedBoard(FEFCO),37rued’Amsterdam,75008,Paris,France,874-63-76.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D1974 – 98 (2003)
3.2.2 leg—staple part connecting staple crown with staple sufficient for some specification purposes, but others will
point, driven through and into or through materials being require more thorough material and application requirements
fastened (F592). than those given here.
3.2.3 stitch—staple cut and formed from wir
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