ASTM D5998-96

Standard Specification for Molded Polyethylene Shipping and Storage Drums

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers self supporting, molded polyethylene, tight head drums designed for surface and air shipment, ranging in size from 5 gal (19 L) to and including 55 gal (208 L).  
1.2 The polyethylene plastics to be used may be virgin plastics or recycled plastics.  
Note 1- There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.  
Note 2- This standard is intended to replace MIL-D-43703C and PS 34-95.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.4 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-Jul-1996
• ICS: 55.140 - Barrels. Drums. Canisters
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.15 - Thermoplastic Materials

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D5998-03 - Standard Specification for Molded Polyethylene Shipping and Storage Drums
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 5998 – 96
Standard Specification for
Molded Polyethylene Shipping and Storage Drums
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5998; 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 2.3 Federal Regulations:
21 CFR 121 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and
1.1 This specification covers self supporting, molded poly-
Regulations Promulgated Thereunder
ethylene, tight head drums designed for surface and air
21 CFR 177
shipment, ranging in size from 5 gal (19 L) to and including 55
49 CFR 173 Shippers—General Requirements for Ship-
gal (208 L).
ments and Packagings
1.2 The polyethylene plastics to be used may be virgin
49 CFR 178 Specifications for Packaging
plastics or recycled plastics.
2.4 Other:
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC-100)
NOTE 2—This standard is intended to replace MIL-D-43703C and
Uniform Freight Classification (UFC)
PS 34 – 95.
2.5 National Sanitation Foundation International:
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
NSF Standard No. 2 Food Service Equipment
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
NSF Standard No. 51 Plastics Materials and Components
information only.
Used in Food Service Equipment
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 For definitions or terms, see Terminology D 883 or
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Guide D 5033.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Requirements
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 Materials—Drums shall conform to 49 CFR 173.24 and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
178.509 Type 1H1. The drum material and components shall
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
conform to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, Food
D 1972 Practice for Generic Marking of Plastic Products
Additive Amendment 21 CFR 177, 1520 and NSF International
D 3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging
Standard No. 2 and 51 when used for food products. Recycled
D 4504 Specification for Molded Polyethylene Open-Head-
plastic may be used when practical as long as the finished
Pails for Industrial Shipping of Nonhazardous Goods
product meets the requirements of this specification.
D 4919 Specification for Testing of Hazardous Materials
4.2 Design and Construction—Drums shall conform to 49
Packagings
CFR 173.24 and 178.509, Type 1H1. Drums shall be molded of
D 5033 Guide for the Development of Standards Relating to
materials specified in 4.1. Five gallon (19 L) drums shall be
the Proper Use of Recycled Plastics
furnished with one or two carrying handles. Fifteen gallon (57
PS 34 – 95 Provisional Standard for Specification for
L) drums shall be furnished with one or two handles on the top
Molded Polyethylene Shipping and Storage Drums
or without handles. Drums greater than 20 gal shall be
PS 35 – 95 Practice for Sampling Plans and Tables for
fabricated so that they may be individually handled by cus-
Inspection by Attributes
tomary handling devices. Handling devices shall withstand the
2.2 Government Documents:
combined lifted weight of the drum and contents. Rolling rings
on drums are optional, and when specified, a minimum of two
are required.
4.2.1 Openings—The 5-gal (19-L) drum shall have one
opening on the top except when specified (see 7.2) an air vent
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-20 on
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.20 on Plastic Products.
Current edition approved July 10, 1996. Published November 1996.
2 6
As defined in Guide D 5033. Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Office, Washington, DC 20402.
4 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09. Available from NSF International, P.O. Box 130140, Ann Arbor, MI 48113-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03. 0140.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 5998
shall be added diametrically opposite the top opening. The less than rated capacity plus 4 %. The maximum actual
15-gal, 30-gal, and 55-gal (57-L, 114-L, and 208-L) drums capacity shall be not greater than the applicable rated capacity
shall have two openings. The opening shall not exceed 2.7 in. (see 1.2) plus 15 % for 5-gal (19-L) drums and shall not be
(69 mm) in diameter, and when specified shall have either a greater than rated capacity plus 10 % for drums 15 gal (57 L)
commercial clinch-on closure (flexible or reversible spout) or and over.
molded-in opening. The molded-in opening for the 5-gal 4.5 Performance—In addition to the requirements specified
(19-L) drum shall be externally threaded to accept a buttress herein, drums shall not show cracks or leaks when subjected to
threaded cap closure, an internally threaded opening to accept tests specified in 5.2.5. Drums with repaired bodies and
an NPS plug, or a commercial clinch-on closure. The components shall not be acceptable.
molded-in opening for the 15-gal, 30-gal, and 55-gal (57-L, 4.6 Workmanship—The finished drums shall be free of
114-L, and 208-L) drums shall have molded-in internal NPS or lumps, blisters, or flash. The threads of the openings and plugs
buttress threads (see 4.2.1.1). There shall be not less than two shall be clean, well formed, free of excess flash, and distortion.
and one half buttress threads. The closure for flexible spout The seal of the openings and plugs shall be smooth and free of
shall be a metal or plastic screw cap or plug having not less defects that may affect the closure. The color shall be uniform.
than two continuous full threads that match the opening and of The drum interior shall be clean and free of foreign matter. The
sufficient length to completely engage a minimum of two caps and spouts shall be clean, free of excess flash or metal,
threads when the cap with gasket or cap liner in place is and distortion.
screwed in.
5. Quality Assurance Provisions
4.2.1.1 Plug and Gasket—The buttress plug and gasket
5.1 Sampling inspection as part of manufacturing operations
shall be made of material resistant to the lading and shall have
is an acceptable practice to ascertain conformance to require-
not less than two continuous external buttress threads that
ments.
match the internal thread of the opening. The plug shall have a
5.2 Quality Conformance Inspection—Unless otherwise
⁄4-in.
...