ASTM D5571-94(2005)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) of Plastic Tighthead Drums Not Exceeding 60 Gal (227 L) in Rated Capacity
Standard Test Method for Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) of Plastic Tighthead Drums Not Exceeding 60 Gal (227 L) in Rated Capacity
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These procedures provide an indication of the environmental stress-crack resistance of plastic tighthead drums. This test method may be used for determining the applicability of various plastic resins, mold designs, processing techniques and parameters for plastic tighthead drums.
Environmental stress cracking is indicative of what results when a container is exposed to chemical agents such as soaps, organics, bleaches, or any surface active solutions while under conditions of stress.
Environmental stress cracking is a mechanism of chemical attack that is highly dependent upon the test reagent, resin, drum manufacturing or processing history, exposure temperature, and applied stress. The combination of these factors may result in eventual stress crack failure.
Both procedures minimize the potential for test variability by providing the user with rigidly defined test conditions. This test method may be used as design qualification and auditing tools for plastic tighthead drums.
This test method is not meant to provide a quantitative value of measurement (that is, number of days to failure). It is intended only as a pass/fail procedure in accordance with user’specifications, or as agreed upon between the user and supplier. It is not intended as a predictor or indicator of field performance regarding time to failure.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides an indication of the environmental stress crack resistance of plastic tighthead drums as a summation of the effects of container design, resin, manufacturing conditions, field performance, and other factors.
1.2 This test method may be used to evaluate a plastic drum's resistance to failure by cracking when in the presence of chemical and physical stresses.
1.3 Two procedures are provided as follows:
1.3.1 Procedure A—Internal pressure stress crack resistance method to nonyl phenoxypoly (ethyleneoxy) ethanol solution, a stress cracking reagent. The internal pressure is controlled at a constant elevated pressure and temperature.
1.3.2 Procedure B—Top-load stress crack resistance method to nonyl phenoxypoly ethanol, a stress cracking reagent. The compressive top load is controlled at a constant weight while maintaining an elevated temperature.
1.4 Although these procedures are not designed to test the ability of the closure or closure gasket material to retain the test reagent, the inclusion of closure failure as a container failure mode is optional. However, leakage through a closure may affect the internal pressure that could affect the test results.
1.5 This test method does not attempt to address all factors that could lead to stress cracking of plastic drums. The user of this standard may use other test parameters, such as top loads, chemical reagents, etc., as agreed upon between the user and supplier in the event of a drum qualification or purchase agreement.
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for information only.
1.7 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. Specific warning statements are given in 6.2.
General Information
Relations
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:D5571–94 (Reapproved 2005)
Standard Test Method for
Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) of Plastic
Tighthead Drums Not Exceeding 60 Gal (227 L) in Rated
Capacity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5571; 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 bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific warning
statements are given in 6.2.
1.1 This test method provides an indication of the environ-
mental stress crack resistance of plastic tighthead drums as a
2. Referenced Documents
summation of the effects of container design, resin, manufac-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
turing conditions, field performance, and other factors.
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
1.2 This test method may be used to evaluate a plastic
ments
drum’s resistance to failure by cracking when in the presence
D4577 Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Con-
of chemical and physical stresses.
tainer Under Constant Load
1.3 Two procedures are provided as follows:
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,
1.3.1 Procedure A—Internal pressure stress crack resistance
With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic
method to nonyl phenoxypoly (ethyleneoxy) ethanol solution,
of a Lot or Process
a stress cracking reagent. The internal pressure is controlled at
a constant elevated pressure and temperature.
3. Terminology
1.3.2 Procedure B—Top-load stress crack resistance
3.1 Definitions—Reference Terminology D996 for defini-
method to nonyl phenoxypoly ethanol, a stress cracking
tions of terms applicable to this test method.
reagent. The compressive top load is controlled at a constant
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
weight while maintaining an elevated temperature.
3.2.1 environmental stress crack—a crack that develops
1.4 Although these procedures are not designed to test the
when a plastic drum is exposed to chemical and physical
abilityoftheclosureorclosuregasketmaterialtoretainthetest
stresses.
reagent, the inclusion of closure failure as a container failure
3.2.2 plastic tighthead drum—A non-removable head plas-
mode is optional. However, leakage through a closure may
tic drum, maximum capacity not exceeding 60 gal (227 L),
affect the internal pressure that could affect the test results.
with openings for filling and emptying not exceeding 2.76 in.
1.5 This test method does not attempt to address all factors
(70 mm) in diameter.
that could lead to stress cracking of plastic drums. The user of
3.2.3 stress crack failure—any environmental stress crack
this standard may use other test parameters, such as top loads,
that penetrates through the thickness of the drum resulting in a
chemical reagents, etc., as agreed upon between the user and
loss or leakage of the test reagent shall be interpreted as a
supplier in the event of a drum qualification or purchase
failure.
agreement.
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
4. Summary of Test Method
as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for
4.1 Procedure A—Exposes a minimum of three partly filled
information only.
plastic drums to the action of a stress cracking reagent, within
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the container, at an elevated internal pressure and elevated
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
temperature. The test duration shall be 14 days, or as specified
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
by the user.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.2 Procedure B—Exposes a minimum of three plastic
drums to a mechanical top load at elevated temperatures. The
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.23 on Natural
Environment Test Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2005. Published October 2005. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D5571–94 (2001). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D5571-94R05. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D5571–94 (2005)
drums are filled with a stress cracking reagent and sealed prior
to the load being applied. The test duration shall be 14 days, or
as specified by the user.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 These procedures provide an indication of the environ-
mental stress-crack resistance of plastic tighthead drums. This
test method may be used for determining the applicability of
various plastic resins, mold designs, processing techniques and
parameters for plastic tighthead drums.
5.2 Environmental stress cracking is indicative of what
FIG. 1 Apparatus for Procedure A
results when a container is exposed to chemical agents such as
soaps, organics, bleaches, or any surface active solutions while
under conditions of stress.
5.3 Environmentalstresscrackingisamechanismofchemi-
cal attack that is highly dependent upon the test reagent, resin,
drum manufacturing or processing history, exposure tempera-
ture, and applied stress. The combination of these factors may
result in eventual stress crack failure.
5.4 Both procedures minimize the potential for test variabil-
ity by providing the user with rigidly defined test conditions.
This test method may be used as design qualification and
auditing tools for plastic tighthead drums.
5.5 This test method is not meant to provide a quantitative
value of measurement (that is, number of days to failure). It is
intended only as a pass/fail procedure in accordance with
user’s specifications, or as agreed upon between the user and
supplier. It is not intended as a predictor or indicator of field
performance regarding time to failure.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Environmental Chamber—The environmental chamber
should be capable of maintaining a temperature control of
62.5°F (61.4°C) of set point. For best circulation and a
FIG. 2 Quick Connect With Ball Valve
constant temperature throughout, a forced air system is recom-
mended.
6.3.1.5 Pressure Relief Valve, to prevent over pressurizing
6.2 Top Load—Requires free weights (dead load) be placed
(ruptured disc-type recommended).
on top of the specimens in amounts necessary to equal the
specified top load. The deadload base should be of sufficient
7. Reagent
dimensions to completely cover the top perimeter of the drum.
A calibrated pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder may be substi- 7.1 Nonyl Phenoxypoly Ethanol Solution—Prepare a 10 %
tuted for the free weights provided that a floating-head platen solution, by volume, of the stress cracking agent and water in
is used. (Warning—The potential exists for catastrophic sufficient volume to fill the specified number of drums to 10 %
stress-crack failure causing an instability of the applied top- rated capacity for Procedure A, and to rated capacity for
load. Precautionary steps should be taken (that is, allow drum Procedure B. (It may be helpful
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.