ASTM D1596-97(2011)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Dynamic Shock Cushioning Characteristics of Packaging Material
Standard Test Method for Dynamic Shock Cushioning Characteristics of Packaging Material
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Dynamic cushioning test data obtained by this test method are applicable to the cushioning material and not necessarily the same as obtained in a package. In addition to the influence of the package, the data can also be affected by the specimen area, thickness, loading rate, and other factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for obtaining dynamic shock cushioning characteristics of packaging materials through acceleration-time data achieved from dropping a falling guided platen assembly onto a motionless sample. This test method does not address any effects or contributions of exterior packaging assemblies.
1.2 The data acquired may be used for a single point or for use in developing a dynamic cushion curve for the specific material being tested. Such data may be used for comparison among different materials at specific input conditions, or qualifying materials against performance specifications. Caution should be used when attempting to compare data from different methods or when using such data for predicting in-package performance. Depending upon the particular materials of concern, correlation of such data (from among differing procedures or for predicting in–package performance) may be highly variable.
Note 1—Alternative and related method for possible consideration is Test Method D4168.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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
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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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D1596 − 97(Reapproved 2011)
Standard Test Method for
Dynamic Shock Cushioning Characteristics of Packaging
Material
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1596; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for obtaining
D996Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
dynamic shock cushioning characteristics of packaging mate-
ments
rials through acceleration-time data achieved from dropping a
D4168Test Methods for Transmitted Shock Characteristics
falling guided platen assembly onto a motionless sample. This
of Foam-in-Place Cushioning Materials
test method does not address any effects or contributions of
D4332Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
exterior packaging assemblies.
Packaging Components for Testing
1.2 The data acquired may be used for a single point or for
E105Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
use in developing a dynamic cushion curve for the specific
E122PracticeforCalculatingSampleSizetoEstimate,With
material being tested. Such data may be used for comparison
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
among different materials at specific input conditions, or
Lot or Process
qualifying materials against performance specifications. Cau-
3. Terminology
tion should be used when attempting to compare data from
different methods or when using such data for predicting
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for packaging and dis-
in-package performance. Depending upon the particular mate-
tribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
rialsofconcern,correlationofsuchdata(fromamongdiffering
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
procedures or for predicting in–package performance) may be
3.2.1 acceleration—the rate of change of velocity of a body
highly variable.
2 2
with respect to time, measured in in./s (m/s ).
NOTE 1—Alternative and related method for possible consideration is
3.2.2 displacement—the magnitude of movement of a body,
Test Method D4168.
point, or surface from a fixed reference point, measured in
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
inches (metres).
as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for
3.2.3 dynamic cushion curve—a graphic representation of
information only.
dynamicshockcushioningortransmittedshock(in G’s)overa
variety of static loading conditions (psi or kg/square m) for a
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the specific cushioning material thickness (or structure) at a
specific equivalent free fall drop height.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.2.3.1 Such representations can encompass the average
response readings in G’s of a number of drops, the average of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
drops, two to five for each test phase, or represent a single,
specific drop number in a drop sequence (that is, first or third
drop data).
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.13 on Interior
Packaging. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2011. Published November 2011. Originally contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. ForAnnual Book ofASTM
published in 1959. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D1596 – 97 (2003).
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D1596-97R11.
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D1596 − 97 (2011)
NOTE 2—Lack of rigidity can cause undesirable vibrations in the
3.2.4 equivalent free-fall drop height—the calculated height
apparatus that are recorded in the acceleration-time curve. This condition
offreefallinvacuumrequiredforthedroppingplatentoattain
has also been a suspected cause for discontinuities in dynamic data where
a measured or given impact velocity.
themassofthedroppingplatenisvariedatconstantheight.Theexistence
of flexing in the apparatus often can be verified with aid of high-speed
3.2.5 equivalent free-fall impact velocity—the calculated
video and subsequently corrected.
impact velocity of the dropping platen if it were to free fall in
a vacuum from a specific test drop height. 6.1.2 Thedroppingplatenshouldhaveprovisionsforfirmly
mounting additional mass to adjust its total mass to a desired
3.2.6 platen drop height—the actual drop height of the test
value. Its mass may be determined by consideration of the
machineplatenrequiredtoobtainanequivalentfreefallimpact
static loading of the items the dynamic test is simulating.
velocity.
Various testing systems will have different ranges of testing
3.2.7 reaction mass—a mass, consisting of the impact sur-
capability, both for drop height and static loadings.
face and any other rigidly attached mass that reacts in an
6.1.3 All dropping platens are influenced by guide system
opposing manner to the forces produced during the impact of
friction and air resistance. The significance of these effects
the dropping platen on the impact surface.
varies with the type of apparatus and the mass on the dropping
3.2.8 static loading—the applied mass in pounds (kilo-
platen. For this reason, the equivalent free fall impact velocity
grams)dividedbythearea,measuredinsquareinches(metres)
of the dropping platen is equated to a free fall drop height
2 2
to which the mass is applied (lbs/in. or kg/m ). Sometimes
rather than an actual platen drop height. (Example—Using the
referred to as static stress loading.
formula in 11.2, a 30 in. (0.7 m) free fall is equated to a 152
3.2.9 velocity—the rate of change of position of a body in a in./s (3.9 m/s) impact velocity of the dropping platen.)
specifieddirectionwithrespecttotime,measuredininchesper
6.2 Reaction Mass:
second (metre per second).
6.2.1 The testing machine shall be attached to a reaction
3.3 Symbols: mass.Thereactionmassshallbesufficientlyheavyandrigidso
3.3.1 g— symbol for the acceleration due to the effects of
that not more than 2% of the impact acceleration is lost to the
the earth’s gravitational pull. While somewhat variable, it is reaction mass while conducting dynamic tests. The rigid
2 2
usually considered a constant of value 386 in./s or (9.8 m/s ).
impact surface should be in intimate contact with the reaction
mass so that the two bodies move as one (surface preparation
3.3.2 G—symbol for the dimensionless ratio between an
or grouting may be required). This performance may be
acceleration in length per time squared units and the accelera-
verified by using shock sensors, one located on the dropping
tion of gravity in the same units.
platen and one on the impact surface or on the reaction mass
immediately next to the impact surface to measure the accel-
4. Summary of Test Method
erationlevels.Theratioofthemeasuredimpactaccelerationof
4.1 An apparatus having a guided dropping platen capable
the reaction mass divided by the measured acceleration of the
of having variable mass, inputs a dynamic force into a test
dropping platen shall be equal to or less than 2%.
specimen placed on a rigid impact surface at a predetermined
6.2.2 As an alternative to measuring the acceleration level
impact velocity that equates to a free fall drop height. An
of the reaction mass for each test condition, the reaction mass
accelerometer rigidly mounted to the dropping platen and
is acceptable if it is 50 times the maximum mass of the
connected to a data acquisition system records the shock
droppingplaten.Neitherthedepthnorthewidthofsuchamass
experienced (acceleration-time history) during the impact on
shall be less than half the length.
the test specimen. By changing the variables, such as impact
6.3 Instrumentation and Shock Sensors:
velocity,staticloading(droppingplatenmass),andthenumber
6.3.1 Instrumentation is required to measure the impact
of test impacts for any given test, dynamic shock cushioning
velocity to an accuracy of 62% of the true value.
characteristics (cushion curves) of the packaging material can
6.3.2 Accelerometers, signal conditions, and data storage
be developed.
apparatus are required to monitor acceleration versus time
histories.Theinstrumentationsystemsshallhavethefollowing
5. Significance and Use
minimum properties:
5.1 Dynamic cushioning test data obtained by this test
6.3.2.1 Frequency response range from 2 Hz or less to at
method are applicable to the cushioning material and not
least 1000 Hz.
necessarily the same as obtained in a package. In addition to
6.3.2.2 Accuracy reading to be within 65% of the actual
the influence of the package, the data can also be affected by
value.
the specimen area, thickness, loading rate, and other factors.
6.3.2.3 Cross axis sensitivity less than 5% of full scale.
6. Apparatus
7. Sampling
6.1 Testing Machine:
7.1 The choice of sampling plans for materials depends on
6.1.1 Any guided vertical drop testing system that will
the purpose of the testing. Practice E105 is recommended.
produce test conditions conforming to the requirements speci-
fied in this section i
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