ASTM D1974/D1974M-22

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The means of closing the flaps of corrugated shipping containers is one of the important decisions for a shipper. It may affect the overall material cost, the labor costs, the packaging equipment costs, and the performance of the box during distribution.  
4.2 This practice provides a list of many available procedures for closing, sealing, and reinforcing boxes. Most of these describe a particular packaging material and a particular use of it on a box. Some methods involve package performance testing; any closure or reinforcement which passes prescribed tests (usually on the proposed box and contents) is considered to comply with that section of this practice. Performance-based methods are encouraged because they allow for considerable flexibility in the choice of packaging materials and methods yet provide assurance of a given level of performance.  
4.3 A diverse range of methods are described in this practice but relative performance levels are not given. Laboratory package testing such as Practice D4169 and field experience are recommended to rate alternative methods on performance for the intended use.  
4.4 The descriptions of materials and methods in this practice provide direction for the procurement of materials and for their common uses on boxes. These descriptions may be sufficient for some specification purposes, but others will require more thorough material and application requirements than those given here.  
4.5 The list of methods in this practice is not exhaustive; deviation or variation from the listed methods is possible with the approval of the appropriate parties referencing this practice. Depending on the characteristics of the contents, the specific shipping container, the acceptable package costs, the distribution hazards, and the desired degree of assurance of successful shipment, more stringent methods than those listed may be needed or less stringent methods than those listed may be adequate. The methods described are typical uses...
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 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
Note 1: This practice is intended to be workable in both inch-pound 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 2: 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2022
• ICS: 55.180.20 - General purpose pallets
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.27 - Fiberboard Shipping Containers, Containerboard and Related Structures and Materials

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D1974/D1974M − 22
Standard Practice for
Methods of Closing, Sealing, and Reinforcing Fiberboard
1
Boxes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1974/D1974M; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This practice describes several methods for closing,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
sealing, and reinforcing fiberboard (solid and corrugated,
D951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Con-
excluding triple wall) shipping boxes used for shipment. One
tainers by Spray Method
or several methods listed in this practice may be referenced in
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
regulations, specifications, or contracts. (See Appendix for
ments
cross reference).
D3654/D3654M Test Methods for Shear Adhesion of
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units Pressure-Sensitive Tapes
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in D3759/D3759M Test Method for Breaking Strength and
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
Elongation of Pressure-Sensitive Tape
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
D3950 Specification for Strapping, Nonmetallic (and Join-
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
ing Methods)
with the standard.
D3953 Specification for Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
NOTE 1—This practice is intended to be workable in both inch-pound
tainers and Systems
units and SI units. Unit conversions are intended to be functional but are
not necessarily exact; this should not significantly affect the performance
D4675 Guide for Selection and Use of Flat Strapping Ma-
1
oftheclosing,sealing,orreinforcingmethods.Descriptionsininch-pound
terials
and SI units are considered interchangeable in this practice.
D5118/D5118M PracticeforFabricationofFiberboardShip-
NOTE 2—All references to this standard should be made by closure
ping Boxes
number.
D5330/D5330M Specification for Pressure-Sensitive Tape
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
for Packaging, Filament-Reinforced
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D5486/D5486M Specification for Pressure-Sensitive Tape
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
for Packaging, Box Closure, and Sealing
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
D5570 Test Method for Water Resistance of Tape and
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Adhesives Used as Box Closure
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
D5749 Specification for Reinforced and Plain Gummed
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Tape for Sealing and Securing
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- F592 Terminology of Collated and Cohered Fasteners and
3
Their Application Tools (Withdrawn 2017)
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.27 on Fiberboard Shipping contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Containers, Containerboard and Related Structures and Materials. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2022.PublishedJuly2022.Originallyapproved the ASTM website.
3
in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D1974/D1974M – 16. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/D1974_D1974M–22. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D1974/D1974M − 22
4
2.2 U.S. Government Documents: 3.3.9 wide crown stitch—a stitch whose nominal width is
1
A-A-59692 Adhesive, Water Resistant (For Closure of Fi- 1 ⁄4 in. [approximately 32 mm] or greater.
berboard Boxes)
2.3 Other Standards: 4. Significance and Use
5
International Fiberboard Case Code
4.1 The means of closing the flaps of corrugated shipping
5
NOTE 3—FEFCO establish
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: D1974/D1974M − 16 D1974/D1974M − 22
Standard Practice for
Methods of Closing, Sealing, and Reinforcing Fiberboard
1
Boxes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1974/D1974M; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. 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 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
NOTE 1—This practice is intended to be workable in both inch-pound 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 2—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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Containers by Spray Method
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D3654/D3654M Test Methods for Shear Adhesion of Pressure-Sensitive Tapes
D3759/D3759M Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation of Pressure-Sensitive Tape
D3950 Specification for Strapping, Nonmetallic (and Joining Methods)
D3953 Specification for Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.27 on Fiberboard Shipping
Containers, Containerboard and Related Structures and Materials.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016May 1, 2022. Published November 2016July 2022. Originally approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 20102016 as
D1974 – 10.D1974/D1974M – 16. DOI: 10.1520/D1974_D1974M–16.10.1520/D1974_D1974M–22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. 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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D1974/D1974M − 22
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
1
D4675 Guide for Selection and Use of Flat Strapping Materials
D5118/D5118M Practice for Fabrication of Fiberboard Shipping Boxes
D5330/D5330M Specification for Pressure-Sensitive Tape for Packaging, Filament-Reinforced
D5486/D5486M Specification for Pressure-Sensitive Tape for Packaging, Box Closure, and Sealing
D5570 Test Method for Water Resistance of Tape and Adhesives Used as Box Closure
D5749 Specification for Reinforced and Plain Gummed Tape for Sealing and Securing
3
F592 Terminology of Collated and Cohered Fasteners and Their Application Tools (Withdrawn 2017)
4
2.2 U.S. Government Documents:
A-A-59692 Adhesive, Water Resistant (For Closure of Fiberboard Boxes)
2.3 Other Standards:
5
International Fiberboard Case Code
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on ww
...