ASTM D5487-98(2002)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Containers by Shock Machines
Standard Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Containers by Shock Machines
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the general procedures of using shock machines to replicate the effects of vertical drops of loaded shipping containers, cylindrical containers, and bags and sacks.
1.2 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.
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Designation:D5487–98 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Test Method for
Simulated Drop of Loaded Containers by Shock Machines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5487; 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.
1. Scope 3.2.2 shock pulse programmer—adeviceusedtocontrolthe
parameters of the shock pulse and shape of the pulse generated
1.1 This test method covers the general procedures of using
by the shock test machine.
shock machines to replicate the effects of vertical drops of
3.2.3 shock test machine drop height—the distance through
loaded shipping containers, cylindrical containers, and bags
which the carriage of the shock test machine free falls before
and sacks.
striking the shock pulse programmer.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.4 velocity—the rate of change of position of a body in a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
specified direction with respect to time, measured in inches per
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
second or metres per second.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents 4.1 Shippingcontainersandtheinteriorpackagingmaterials
are used to protect their contents from the hazards encountered
2.1 ASTM Standards:
in handling, transportation, and storage. Shock is one of the
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
more troublesome of these hazards. Free-fall drop testing,
ments
while easy to perform, often understresses the test specimen by
D 999 Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping
subjecting it to drops which are not perpendicular to the
Containers
dropping surface.
D 3332 Test Methods for Mechanical-Shock Fragility of
Products, Using Shock Machines
NOTE 1—For example, testing has shown that non-perpendicular drops,
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or 2° off perpendicularity, result in 8 % lower acceleration into the test
specimen resulting from the impact energy dispersing in several axes.
Packaging Components for Testing
D 5276 Test Method for DropTest of Loaded Containers by
4.1.1 Controlled shock input by shock machines provides a
Free Fall
convenient method for evaluating the ability of shipping
E 122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,
containers, interior packaging materials, and contents to with-
With a Specified Tolerable Error, the Average for a
stand shocks. Simulated free-fall drop testing of package
Characteristic of a Lot or Process
systems, which have critical elements, has produced good
results where the frequency of the shock pulse is at least three
3. Terminology
times that of the package system’s natural frequency.
3.1 General terms for packaging and distribution environ-
4.2 As in most mechanical shock test procedures, fixturing
ments are found in Terminology D 996.
of the package on the shock test machine may have significant
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
influence on the test results. Typically, packages will be firmly
3.2.1 critical element—the most fragile component of the
held on the table by securing some type of cross member(s)
test specimen.
across the top of the package. Care should be taken that any
pressure resulting from such fixturing should be minimal,
particularly when the container being tested is corrugated or
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
some other similar material.
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.22 on PhysicalTest
Methods. 4.2.1 In cases where low-acceleration, long-duration re-
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1998. Published March 1999. Originally
sponses are anticipated, any fixturing can potentially influence
published as D 5487 – 98. Last previous edition D 5487 – 98.
packaged item response and can possibly alter any correlation
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. Fiedler, Robert M. and Fanfu Li, A Study of the Effects of Impact Angles on the
Robert E. Newton, FragilityAssessment Theory and Test Procedures, U. Naval Shock Levels Experienced by Packaged Products, MTS Systems Corporation. On
Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. file at ASTM. Request RR:D10-1008.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D5487–98 (2002)
between this test method and free-fall drop testing.Where such 6. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
correlation is desired, the package can be tested without it
6.1 The sampling and the number of test specimens depend
being fixed directly to the table. Note that in such circum-
on the specific purposes and needs of the testing. Sample size
stances, the shipping container can vigorously rebound from
determination in accordance with Practice E 122 or other
the table and can, if not otherwise controlled, present a safety
established statistical procedures is recommended.
problem for operators. Fixing the shipping container to the
6.2 When the protective ability of the package is to be
shock machine table is most often recommended for safety and
evaluated, pack the package with the actual contents for which
convenience, but accuracy and precision of this test method
it was designed.
should not be compromised by such fixturing.
6.2.1 Wheretheuseofactualcontentsisprohibitivebecause
of excessive cost or danger, a “dummy” load simulating the
NOTE 2—Arigid package system with a natural frequency above 83 Hz
contents with respect to dimensions, center of gravity, moment
requires a shock pulse shorter than the 2-ms (nominal) duration currently
ofinertia,productcharacteristicssuchasviscosity,etc.,maybe
available with many of today’s shock machines:
used with accelerometers or other indicating mechanisms.
f 5 1 cycle/~d 3 2!
s s
6.2.2 Regardless of which procedure is used, close or strap
f 5 1 cycle/~0.002 3 2! 5 250 Hz
the container, or both, in the same manner that will be used in
s
preparing it for shipment.
f 5 f /3
p s
6.3 The procedure for identification of the members of the
f 5 250 Hz/3 5 83 Hz
p
container shall be in accordance with Test Method D 5276.
where:
d = shock pulse duration, s,
7. Calibration and Standardization
s
f = shock pulse frequency, Hz, and
s
7.1 The accuracy of the test equipment must be verified to
f = package system frequency, which may be determined by Test
p
ensure reliable test data.
Methods D 999.
7.2 Verification of calibrations must be performed on a
Similarly, a shock machine using an input shock pulse duration of 3 ms
regular basis to ensure compliance with all accuracy require-
would only be effective with package system frequencies below 56 Hz.
ments established in Section 5.Typically, system verification is
5. Apparatus
performed minimally on an annual basis.
7.2.1 In no case shall the time interval between verification
5.1 Shock Test Machine:
of calibration exceed 18 months.
5.1.1 The machine shall consist of a flat horizontal test
7.2.2 Regardless of the time interval since the last verifica-
surface (carriage) of sufficient strength and rigidity to remain
tion, testing machines shall be verified immediately after
flat and horizontal under stress developed during the test. The
functional repairs, relocation, and whenever there is reason to
test surface shall be guided to fall vertically without rotation or
doubt the accuracy.
translation in other directions.
5.1.2 The machine shall incorporate sufficient carriage drop 8. Conditioning
height to produce shock pulses at the carriage as described in
8.1 It is recommended that atmospheres for conditioning be
9.1. Drop height control shall be sufficient to control velocity
selected from those in Practice D 43
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