ASTM D4279-95(2022)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Shipping Containers—Constant and Cycle Methods
Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Shipping Containers—Constant and Cycle Methods
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 These test methods are normally used for the following purposes:
4.1.1 To evaluate materials and constructions for a specific type of container,
4.1.2 To compare performance of different types of containers,
4.1.3 To determine adequacy of protection for a specific product or application, and
4.1.4 To maintain quality control.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of water vapor transmission rates for bulk shipping containers, as follows:
1.1.1 Method A, for Reclosable Containers, and
1.1.2 Method B, for Containers Not Designed for Reclosing.
1.2 Within each procedure details are given for the constant and cycle methods of test atmosphere.
1.3 The test may be applied to the container as packed, or after one or more performance tests such as drum (Method D782), vibration (Methods D999), drop (Test Method D5276), impact resistance (Test Methods D880, D4003, and D5277), or performance tests (Practice D4169), as required.
1.4 For small shipping containers requiring greater accuracy in weighing, the water vapor transmission may be determined in accordance with Test Method D895 or Test Method D1251.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
1.7 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
Relations
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: D4279 − 95 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Methods for
Water Vapor Transmission of Shipping Containers—
Constant and Cycle Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4279; 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.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of water
D782Test Method for Shipping Containers in Revolving
vapor transmission rates for bulk shipping containers, as
Hexagonal Drum (Withdrawn 1999)
follows:
D880Test Method for ImpactTesting for Shipping Contain-
1.1.1 Method A, for Reclosable Containers, and
ers and Systems
1.1.2 Method B, for Containers Not Designed for Reclos-
D895Test Method for Water Vapor Permeability of Pack-
ing.
ages (Withdrawn 1999)
D996Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
1.2 Within each procedure details are given for the constant
ments
and cycle methods of test atmosphere.
D999Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Con-
1.3 The test may be applied to the container as packed, or
tainers
after one or more performance tests such as drum (Method
D1251Test Method for Water Vapor Permeability of Pack-
D782), vibration (Methods D999), drop (Test Method D5276), 3
ages by Cycle Method (Withdrawn 1999)
impactresistance(TestMethodsD880,D4003,andD5277),or
D4003Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Impact
performance tests (Practice D4169), as required.
Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
D4169Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
1.4 Forsmallshippingcontainersrequiringgreateraccuracy
tainers and Systems
in weighing, the water vapor transmission may be determined
D5276Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by
in accordance with Test Method D895 or Test Method D1251.
Free Fall
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
D5277Test Method for Performing Programmed Horizontal
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
Impacts Using an Inclined Impact Tester
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
3. Terminology
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for the packaging and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
distribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2.1 water vapor transmission rate of a shipping container
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
(constant atmosphere method), n—for the purpose of this test
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
method,therateatwhichwateristransmittedintothecontainer
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
from the test atmosphere (normally of 90% 6 2% relative
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
humidity and a temperature of 100°F 6 2°F (37.8°C 6
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1°C) surrounding it while a desiccant is sealed within.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2.2 water vapor transmission into a container (cycle
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
atmosphere method), n—for this test method, the amount of
1 2
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Packaging and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D4279–95(2017). The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D4279-95R22. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4279 − 95 (2022)
water transmitted into the container from the test atmosphere 6. Test Specimens
during one cycle while a desiccant is sealed within.
6.1 Test specimens shall be representative of the containers
3.2.3 cycle, n—one series of test atmospheres to which the
being tested, and shall be closed and sealed in the normal
test specimens are exposed. Normally one cycle will consist of
manner.
1 week of exposure to a temperature of 0°F 6 5°F (−17.8°C
6.2 The performance shall be based on tests of not less than
6 2.8°C) to be followed by 3 weeks of exposure at a
two representative specimens of a given size and type of
temperatureof100°F 62°F(37.8°C 61.1°C)andarelative
container.
humidity of 90% 62%.
7. Procedure
4. Significance and Use
4.1 These test methods are normally used for the following 7.1 Locate the weighing receptacle or receptacles centrally
within the test specimen, using a nonabsorptive support when
purposes:
4.1.1 To evaluate materials and constructions for a specific required. Place the selected quantity of the desiccant in the
receptacle sufficient to uniformly cover the area of the recep-
type of container,
4.1.2 To compare performance of different types of tacletoadepthofnotlessthan ⁄2in.(13mm).Cover,andafter
weighing,immediatelytransferintothetestspecimen.Uncover
containers,
4.1.3 To determine adequacy of protection for a specific the receptacle and close and seal the specimen in the normal
manner. The desiccant may require one or more replacements
product or application, and
if it becomes noticeably moist during the test.
4.1.4 To maintain quality control.
NOTE 1—When the test is conducted to determine the water vapor
METHOD A—RECLOSABLE CONTAINERS
transmission of the shipping container for research, development, manu-
facturing control, specification acceptance, etc., a desiccant shall be used
5. Apparatus
as the water absorbing medium. When the test is used to determine the
5.1 Desiccant—Adesiccant shall be used that has a power-
suitability of the shipping container with respect to water vapor resistance
for a particular product, the product shall be used in lieu of the desiccant.
ful affinity for water and a high drying efficiency, that is, a low
vapor pressure after absorbing a large amount of water. The
7.2 Place the specimen inside the test room or cabinet in a
desiccant shall be in the form of small lumps that will pass a
position where free access of the conditioned circulating air is
No. 8 (2.36mm) sieve and be free from fines that will pass a
provided on all surfaces of the container according to the
No. 30 (600µm) sieve. Anhydrous calcium chloride and
following:
anhydrous magnesium perchlorate have been found suitable.
7.2.1 Constant Atmosphere Method—Normally surrounding
When the test is made to determine the suitability of a specific
conditionsare90% 62%relativehumidityandatemperature
container for a particular product, that product may be used
of 100°F 6 2°F (37.7°C 6 1.1°C).
inside the test specimen instead of the desiccant, in which case
7.2.2 Cycle Atmosphere Method—Place the specimen in the
the specimen shall be filled to normal capacity.
low temperature test room or cabinet (normally maintained at
0°F(−17.8°C)foraperiodof1week.Followimmediatelyby
5.2 Weighing Balance—A weighing balance accurate to
3 weeks of exposure to the high temperature and humidity
within 1 g shall be used. When the required amount of
(normally 100°F (37.8°C) and 90% relative humidity).
desiccant is greater than can be weighed on a balance of this
sensitivity, two or more receptacles shall be used and weighed
7.3 Make successive weighings of the receptacl
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