ASTM D6653-01

Standard Test Methods for Determining the Effects of High Altitude on Packaging Systems by Vacuum Method

SCOPE
1.1 These test methods determine the effects of pressure differential when packaged products are transported via certain modes of transport, such as feeder aircraft or ground over high mountain passes. The results of these tests are intended to be used for qualitative purposes.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-2001
• ICS: 19.040 - Environmental testing
• ICS: 55.180.99 - Other standards related to freight distribution of goods
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.21 - Shipping Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D6653-01(2006) - Standard Test Methods for Determining the Effects of High Altitude on Packaging Systems by Vacuum Method
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2006
• Referred By: ASTM D7386-16 - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Packages for Single Parcel Delivery Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D4169-22 - Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2001

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D6653–01
Standard Test Methods for
Determining the Effects of High Altitude on Packaging
Systems by Vacuum Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6653; 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. Terminology
1.1 These test methods determine the effects of pressure 3.1 Definitions—Terms and definitions used in these test
differential when packaged products are transported via certain methods may be found in Terminology D 996.
modes of transport, such as feeder aircraft or ground over high 3.2 Definition of Term:
mountain passes. The results of these tests are intended to be 3.2.1 feeder aircraft, n—small, potentially nonpressurized
used for qualitative purposes. aircraft used to transport express air packages to remote areas.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
4. Significance and Use
standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
4.1 Packaged products transported via the feeder aircraft
information only.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the network are liable to experience altitudes as high as 5 791 m
(19 000 ft). When exposed to these high altitude conditions,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- products or packaging systems, or a combination thereof, may
be affected negatively by the resultant pressure differential.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4.2 These test methods are suitable for evaluating the effect
of high altitude on packaging systems.
2. Referenced Documents
4.3 These test methods are suitable for package or product,
2.1 ASTM Standards: or both, development and engineering.
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ- 4.4 Other test methods, such as Test Methods D 3078,
ments D 4991 and D 5094, test for leakage of packaging systems by
D 3078 Test Method for Determination of Leaks in Flexible vacuum method and are applicable for testing the effects of
Packaging by Bubble Emission high altitude.
D 4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
2 5. Apparatus
tainers and Systems
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or 5.1 Vacuum Chamber—Any suitable chamber capable of
withstanding approximately one atmosphere pressure differen-
Packaging Components for Testing
D 4991 Test Method for Leakage Testing of Empty Rigid tial fitted with a flat-vacuum-tight cover or equivalent chamber
providing the same functional capabilities, such as an altitude
Containers by Vacuum Method
D 5094 Test Methods for Gross Leakage of Liquids from chamber.
5.2 Vacuum Gage, Inlet Tube from a Source of Vacuum and
Containers with Threaded or Lug-Style Closures
E 122 Practice for Choice of Sample Size to Estimate a Outlet Tube to the Atmosphere, shall be sealed to the chamber.
Theinletandoutlettubesshallbeequippedwithhandoperated
Measure of Quality for a Lot or Process
2.2 Other: valves. The vacuum gauge shall be laboratory quality with a
full-scale range of 0 to 100 kPa (0 to 30 in. Hg) with minimum
Altitude-pressure tables based on the United States Stan-
dard Atmospheres graduation no greater than 2 kPa (1 in. Hg) and accuracy to
within 2 %.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.23 on Natural
Environment Test Methods.
Current edition approved April 10, 2001. Published June 2001.
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09. Based on field testing analysis; Available from ASTM headquarters. Request
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. RR: D10–1013 on Altitude and Temperature—Study of the Feeder Aircraft
Available from http://naca.larc.nasa.gov/reports/1936/naca-report-538/. Network.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6653–01
5.3 The Chamber, shall be large enough to contain the test product value, desired damage level acceptances, or other
specimen, as well as allow for the expansion of the product or criteria (see Appendix X1 and Table X2.1 for guidance).
package, or both. 9.3 Partially open the chamber inlet valve and release the
vacuum at a rate of approximately 305 m (1 000 ft) per 30-60
6. Sampling
s.
6.1 The test specimens and number of samples shall be
9.4 Open the chambers cover and remove the test specimen
chosen to permit an adequate determination of representative
and examine for any damage or deformation.
performance (see Practice E 122).
9.5 Record the results of examination.
6.2 In the absence of any sampling plan, at least three
10. Interpretation of Results
representative specimens should be selected for performance
evaluation.
10.1 If a distribution packaging system was tested and the
closure, shipping container, internal packaging and product are
7. Test Specimen
intactandfreeofdamage,thenthepackagingsystemshouldbe
7.1 Atest specimen shall consist of an assembled packaging
reassembled for testing in accordance with an industry ac-
system, representative of a production run package, or compo-
cepted packaged-product performance test, such as Practice
nents of an assembled packaging system, to include primary
D 4169. This will help determine if the pressure differential
and/or secondary packaging.
had an affect on the performance of the packaging system. It is
recommended to test a new test specimen with the same
8. Conditioning
packaged-product performance test without the altitude condi-
8.1 Test specimens shall be conditioned to 5.6 6 2°C (42 6
tioning for comparative purposes.
3.6°F) for a minimum of 24 h prior to testing.
8.2 Testspecimensshallbetestedinandatconditionsof5.6 11. Report
6 2°C (42 6 3.6°F).
11.1 The report shall include the following information:
8.3 If conditioning prior to test
...