ASTM D1596-97
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Dynamic Shock Cushioning Characteristics of Packaging Material
Standard Test Method for Dynamic Shock Cushioning Characteristics of Packaging Material
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for obtaining dynamic shock cushioning characteristics of packaging materials through acceleration-time data achieved from dropping a falling guided platen assembly onto a motionless sample. This test method does not address any effects or contributions of exterior packaging assemblies.
1.2 The data acquired may be used for a single point or for use in developing a dynamic cushion curve for the specific material being tested. Curves are used either to predict performance of materials under use conditions or for comparison among different materials at specific input conditions. Caution should be used when attempting to compare data from different methods or when using such data for predicting in-package performance. Depending upon the particular materials of concern, correlation of such data (from among differing procedures or for predicting in-package performance) may be highly variable.
Note 1-Alternative and related method for possible consideration is Test Method D 4168.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 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.>
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
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Designation: D 1596 – 97
Standard Test Method for
Dynamic Shock Cushioning Characteristics of Packaging
Material
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1596; 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 E 105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
E 122 Practice for Choice of Sample Size to Estimate a
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for obtaining
Measure of Quality for a Lot or Process
dynamic shock cushioning characteristics of packaging mate-
rials through acceleration-time data achieved from dropping a
3. Terminology
falling guided platen assembly onto a motionless sample. This
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for packaging and dis-
test method does not address any effects or contributions of
tribution environments are found in Terminology D 996.
exterior packaging assemblies.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.2 The data acquired may be used for a single point or for
3.2.1 acceleration—the rate of change of velocity of a body
use in developing a dynamic cushion curve for the specific
2 2
with respect to time, measured in in./s (m/s ).
material being tested. Such data may be used for comparison
3.2.2 displacement—the magnitude of movement of a body,
among different materials at specific input conditions, or
point, or surface from a fixed reference point, measured in
qualifying materials against performance specifications. Cau-
inches (metres).
tion should be used when attempting to compare data from
3.2.3 dynamic cushion curve— a graphic representation of
different methods or when using such data for predicting
dynamic shock cushioning or transmitted shock (in G’s) over a
in-package performance. Depending upon the particular mate-
variety of static loading conditions (psi or kg/square m) for a
rials of concern, correlation of such data (from among differing
specific cushioning material thickness (or structure) at a
procedures or for predicting in–package performance) may be
specific equivalent free fall drop height.
highly variable.
3.2.3.1 Such representations can encompass the average
NOTE 1—Alternative and related method for possible consideration is
response readings in G’s of a number of drops, the average of
Test Method D 4168.
drops, two to five for each test phase, or represent a single,
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
specific drop number in a drop sequence (that is, first or third
as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for
drop data).
information only.
3.2.4 equivalent free-fall drop height—the calculated height
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of free fall in vacuum required for the dropping platen to attain
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
a measured or given impact velocity.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.5 equivalent free-fall impact velocity—the calculated
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
impact velocity of the dropping platen if it were to free fall in
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
a vacuum from a specific test drop height.
3.2.6 platen drop height—the actual drop height of the test
2. Referenced Documents
machine platen required to obtain an equivalent free fall impact
2.1 ASTM Standards:
velocity.
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
3.2.7 reaction mass—a mass, consisting of the impact
ments
surface and any other rigidly attached mass that reacts in an
D 4168 Test Method for Transmitted Shock Characteristics
opposing manner to the forces produced during the impact of
of Foam-in-Place Cushioning Materials
the dropping platen on the impact surface.
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
3.2.8 static loading—the applied mass in pounds (kilo-
Packaging Components for Testing
grams) divided by the area, measured in square inches (metres)
2 2
to which the mass is applied (lbs/in. or kg/m ). Sometimes
referred to as static stress loading.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-10 on
3.2.9 velocity—the rate of change of position of a body in a
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.13 on Interior
specified direction with respect to time, measured in inches per
Packaging.
Current edition approved April 10, 1997. Published June 1997. Originally
published as D 1596 – 59 T. Last previous edition D 1596 – 91.
2 3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, 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 1596
second (metre per second). mass. The reaction mass shall be sufficiently heavy and rigid so
3.3 Symbols: Symbols: that not more than 2 % of the impact acceleration is lost to the
3.3.1 g— symbol for the acceleration due to the effects of reaction mass while conducting dynamic tests. The rigid
the earth’s gravitational pull. While somewhat variable, it is impact surface should be in intimate contact with the reaction
2 2
usually considered a constant of value 386 in./s or (9.8 m/s ). mass so that the two bodies move as one (surface preparation
3.3.2 G—symbol for the dimensionless ratio between an or grouting may be required). This performance may be
acceleration in length per time squared units and the accelera- verified by using shock sensors, one located on the dropping
tion of gravity in the same units. platen and one on the impact surface or on the reaction mass
immediately next to the impact surface to measure the accel-
4. Summary of Test Method
eration levels. The ratio of the measured impact acceleration of
4.1 An apparatus having a guided dropping platen capable
the reaction mass divided by the measured acceleration of the
of having variable mass, inputs a dynamic force into a test
dropping platen shall be equal to or less than 2 %.
specimen placed on a rigid impact surface at a predetermined
6.2.2 As an alternative to measuring the acceleration level
impact velocity that equates to a free fall drop height. An
of the reaction mass for each test condition, the reaction mass
accelerometer rigidly mounted to the dropping platen and
is acceptable if it is 50 times the maximum mass of the
connected to a data acquisition system records the shock
dropping platen. Neither the depth nor the width of such a mass
experienced (acceleration-time history) during the impact on
shall be less than half the length.
the test specimen. By changing the variables, such as impact
6.3 Instrumentation and Shock Sensors:
velocity, static loading (dropping platen mass), and the number
6.3.1 Instrumentation is required to measure the impact
of test impacts for any given test, dynamic shock cushioning velocity to an accuracy of 62 % of the true value.
characteristics (cushion curves) of the packaging material can
6.3.2 Accelerometers, signal conditions, and data storage
be developed. apparatus are required to monitor acceleration versus time
histories. The instrumentation systems shall have the following
5. Significance and Use
minimum properties:
5.1 Dynamic cushioning test data obtained by this test
6.3.2.1 Frequency response range from 2 Hz or less to at
method are applicable to the cushioning material and not
least 1000 Hz.
necessarily the same as obtained in a package. In addition to
6.3.2.2 Accuracy reading to be within 65 % of the actual
the influence of the package, the data can also be affected by
value.
the specimen area, thickness, loading rate, and other factors.
6.3.2.3 Cross axis sensitivity less than 5 % of full scale.
7. Sampling
6. Apparatus
7.1 The choice of sampling plans for materials depends on
6.1 Testing Machine:
the purpose of the testing. Practice E 105 is recommended.
6.1.1 Any guided vertical drop testing system that will
produce test conditions conforming to the requirements speci- 7.2 The number of test specimens for each condition of test
(for example, static loading) depends on the desired degree of
fied in this section is acceptable. The system shall consist of a
rigid flat faced dropping platen, a rigid flat impact surface precision and the availability of materials. Practice E 122 and
many statistical tests provide excellent guidance on the choice
whose face is parallel to the dropping platen face.
of sample size. It is recommended that at least three replicate
NOTE 2—Lack of rigidity can cause undesirable vibrations in the
test specimens be used for each initial test condition. Then,
apparatus that are recorded in the acceleration-time curve. This condition
depending on the accuracy and degree of certainty required,
has also been a suspected cause for discontinuities in dynamic data where
this sample size may be increased or decreased.
the mass of the dropping platen is varied at constant height. The existence
of flexing in the apparatus often can be verified with aid of high-speed
7.3 Randomization of test specimens from the sample of
video and subsequently corrected.
material and randomization of the order of testing are recom-
mended. This may be accomplished by the use of random
6.1.2 The dropping platen should have provisions for firmly
number tables, lottery, or other accepted procedures of ran-
mounting additional mass to adjust its total mass to a desired
domization.
value. Its mass may be determined by consideration of the
static loading of the items the dynamic test is simulat
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