ASTM D685-22

Standard Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products for Testing

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 The preconditioning requirement is important because physical properties of a sample at 50 % relative humidity depend upon whether the sample is brought to 50 % from a higher or lower relative humidity. A detailed discussion of the importance of preconditioning may be found in Annex A1.  
3.2 The conditioning and testing atmospheres are important because both temperature and relative humidity have significant effects on the physical properties of paper and board. A more detailed discussion of the importance may be found in Annex A2.  
3.3 This standard is technically identical to TAPPI T402.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice defines the standard atmospheres for normal preconditioning, conditioning, and testing of paper and paper products, paperboard, fiberboard, and containers made from them. It also specifies procedures for handling these materials in order that they may reach equilibrium with the respective atmosphere.  
1.2 This practice does not include special conditioning and testing atmospheres, such as those that attempt to simulate tropical or arctic environments.  
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: 14-Apr-2022
• ICS: 85.060 - Paper and board
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.21 - Shipping Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods

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: D685 − 22
Standard Practice for
1
Conditioning Paper and Paper Products for Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D685; 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.
1. Scope* 3. Significance and Use
1.1 This practice defines the standard atmospheres for
3.1 The preconditioning requirement is important because
normal preconditioning, conditioning, and testing of paper and
physical properties of a sample at 50 % relative humidity
paper products, paperboard, fiberboard, and containers made
depend upon whether the sample is brought to 50 % from a
from them. It also specifies procedures for handling these
higher or lower relative humidity. A detailed discussion of the
materials in order that they may reach equilibrium with the
importance of preconditioning may be found in Annex A1.
respective atmosphere.
3.2 The conditioning and testing atmospheres are important
1.2 This practice does not include special conditioning and
because both temperature and relative humidity have signifi-
testing atmospheres, such as those that attempt to simulate
cant effects on the physical properties of paper and board. A
tropical or arctic environments.
more detailed discussion of the importance may be found in
Annex A2.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.3 This standard is technically identical to TAPPI T402.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4. Standard Atmospheres
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 Preconditioning Atmosphere—10 to 35 % relative hu-
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
midity and 22 to 40 °C (see Annex A1 and Annex A2).
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.2 Conditioning Atmosphere—50.0 6 2.0 % relative hu-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
midity and 23.0 6 1.0 °C.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.3 Testing Atmosphere—Same as 4.2.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
NOTE 1—Average values must fall within these limits. Momentary
2. Referenced Documents
fluctuations and measurement limitations may cause individual measure-
ments to vary up to +2 °C (+3.6 °F) and +5 % relative humidity without
2
2.1 ISO Standards:
significant impairment of test precision.
ISO 187 Paper, Board and Pulps—Standard Atmosphere for
Conditioning and Testing and Procedure for Monitoring
5. Apparatus
the Atmosphere and Conditioning of Samples
5.1 Preconditioning Chamber—Aroom or cabinet in which
3
2.2 TAPPI Standard:
sample sheets or specimens may be individually exposed to
TAPPI T400 Sampling and Acceptance of a Single Lot of
circulating air at the preconditioning relative humidity and
Paper, Paperboard, Containerboard or Related Product
temperature.
TAPPI/ANSI T402 Standard Conditioning and Testing At-
mosphere for Paper, Board, Pulp Handsheets and Related NOTE 2—For smaller sheets or specimens, the required preconditioning
may be achieved easily with a simple cabinet, if no other means are
Products
available. If this cabinet is operated in a room maintained at 50 % relative
humidity and 23 °C and so designed that room air is drawn through it, and
if the air entering and in the cabinet is heated to a temperature of 39 6
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D10 on Packaging
1 °C,therelativehumidityinthecabinetwillbeintherequiredrange(that
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD10.21onShippingContainersand
is, 20 6 3 % relative humidity). Commercially available forced-
Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
ventilation “ovens” should prove satisfactory. Input air to the oven should
Current edition approved April 15, 2022. Published May 2022. Originally
be drawn from the standard room; output should be vented outside of the
approved in 1942. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D685 – 17. DOI:
standard room.
10.1520/D0685-22.
2
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W43rd St,
5.1.1 For many papers and boards, approximately the same
4th Floor, New York, New York 10036, http:/www.ansi.org.
3
preconditioning moisture content obtained by the above pro-
Available from Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI)
15
...

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: D685 − 17 D685 − 22
Standard Practice for
1
Conditioning Paper and Paper Products for Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D685; 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.
1. Scope*
1.1 This practice defines the standard atmospheres for normal preconditioning, conditioning, and testing of paper and paper
products, paperboard, fiberboard, and containers made from them. It also specifies procedures for handling these materials in order
that they may reach equilibrium with the respective atmosphere.
1.2 This practice does not include special conditioning and testing atmospheres, such as those that attempt to simulate tropical or
arctic environments.
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 ISO Standards:
ISO 187 Paper, Board and Pulps—Standard Atmosphere for Conditioning and Testing and Procedure for Monitoring the
Atmosphere and Conditioning of Samples
3
2.2 TAPPI Standard:
TAPPI T400 Sampling and Acceptance of a Single Lot of Paper, Paperboard, Containerboard or Related Product
TAPPI/ANSI T402 Standard Conditioning and Testing Atmosphere for Paper, Board, Pulp Handsheets and Related Products
3. Significance and Use
3.1 The preconditioning requirement is important because physical properties of a sample at 50 % relative humidity depend upon
whether the sample is brought to 50 % from a higher or lower relative humidity. A detailed discussion of the importance of
preconditioning may be found in Annex A1.
3.2 The conditioning and testing atmospheres are important because both temperature and relative humidity have significant
effects on the physical properties of paper and board. A more detailed discussion of the importance may be found in Annex A2.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping Containers and
Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
Current edition approved April 1, 2017April 15, 2022. Published June 2017May 2022. Originally approved in 1942. Last previous edition approved in 20122017 as
D685 – 12.D685 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/D0685-17.10.1520/D0685-22.
2
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W43rd St, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10036, http:/www.ansi.org.
3
Available from Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) 15 Technology Parkway South, Norcross GA 30092, http://www.tappi.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D685 − 22
3.3 This standard is technically identical to TAPPI T-402.T402.
4. Standard Atmospheres
4.1 Preconditioning Atmosphere—10 to 35 % relative humidity and 22 to 40°C40 °C (see Annex A1 and Annex A2).
4.2 Conditioning Atmosphere—50.0 6 2.0 % relative humidity and 23.0 6 1.0°C.1.0 °C.
4.3 Testing Atmosphere—Same as 4.2.
NOTE 1—Average values must fall within these limits. Momentary fluctuations and measurement limitations may cause individual measurements to vary
up to +2°C (+3.6°F)+2 °C (+3.6 °F) and +5 % relative humidity without significant impairment of test precision.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Preconditioning Chamber—A room or cabinet in which sample sheets or specimens may be individually exposed to circulating
air at the preconditioning relative humidity and temperature.
NOTE 2—For smaller sheets or specimens, the required preconditioning may be achieved easily with a simple cabinet, if no other means are available.
If this cabinet is operated in a room maintained at 50 % relative humidity and 23°C2
...