ASTM D3103-14
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Thermal Insulation Performance of Distribution Packages
Standard Test Method for Thermal Insulation Performance of Distribution Packages
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This test method is intended for use for evaluating the performance of thermal insulated packaging used for high-value, high-risk materials. This test method may also be used for any product that requires accurate internal package temperature readings while being exposed to a range of external air temperatures.
4.2 Certain items, such as biological materials, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and blood products, must be shipped inside temperature-controlled packages. Factors affecting the rate of heat transfer of the package include the insulation of the exterior package, the energy source, and the product payload.
4.3 Because of the variety of factors affecting the performance of a thermally insulated package, testing should be conducted with the actual package whenever possible. When simulated packages are used, special care must be exercised so that the simulated payload and coolant will be as close as possible to the actual packages in temperature and other relevant physical properties.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the thermal insulation quality of a package and the thermal stability of its contents when exposed to variable ambient temperature conditions. It is suitable for testing packages with various internal energy sources with or without product payloads.
1.2 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 precautionary statements are given in 5.3.
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Designation: D3103 − 14
Standard Test Method for
1
Thermal Insulation Performance of Distribution Packages
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3103; 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 3.2.1 data acquisition unit and associated system—single-
or multi-channel recorder and its associated software and
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthethermal
hardware utilizing thermocouples and thermistor sensors trace-
insulation quality of a package and the thermal stability of its
able to NIST(National Institute for Standards andTechnology)
contents when exposed to variable ambient temperature con-
that collects and date stamps time and temperature.
ditions. It is suitable for testing packages with various internal
energy sources with or without product payloads. 3.2.2 draft-free atmosphere—an atmosphere where the test
specimens are isolated from direct air currents while surround-
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ing air temperature is maintained uniformly throughout the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
chamber.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 3.2.3 eutectic system, n—a mixture or compound in which
pure solid phases changes occur at a well-defined specific
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
tionary statements are given in 5.3. temperature.
3.2.4 exterior atmosphere—the atmosphere surrounding the
2. Referenced Documents
exterior surface of a package.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.5 interior atmosphere—the atmosphere in contact or
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
near the packaged item.
ments
3.2.6 mapping—collecting temperature data at a wide range
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
of locations inside a package or chamber to determine the
Packaging Components for Testing
variability of temperature range in the environment.
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
ASTM Test Methods 3.2.7 package system—thecombinationofexteriorpackage,
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to interior packaging, refrigerants, and product payload.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3.2.8 product payload—the product and any associated
2.2 Other Standards:
secondarypackagingthatistobetemperaturecontrolledwithin
ISTA 5B Focused Simulation Guide for Thermal Perfor-
the insulated test package.
manceTesting ofTemperature ControlledTransport Pack-
3.2.9 refrigerants—eutectic materials, gel packs, ice, or
3
aging
othermaterialthatservesasanenergysourceorbuffermedium
within the package system.
3. Terminology
3.2.10 secondary package—the package that contains the
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for packaging and dis-
primary container/closure system(s).
tribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
3.2.11 thermal conductivity, homogeneous material—the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
rateofheatflow,understeadyconditionsthroughunitarea,per
unit temperature gradient in the direction perpendicular to the
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
area.
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
4. Significance and Use
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2014. Published December 2014. Originally
ε1
approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D3103 – 07 . DOI:
4.1 This test method is intended for use for evaluating the
10.1520/D3103-14.
2
performance of thermal insulated packaging used for high-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
value, high-risk materials. This test method may also be used
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
for any product that requires accurate internal package tem-
the ASTM website.
3
peraturereadingswhilebeingexposedtoarangeofexternalair
Available from International SafeTransitAssociation (ISTA), 1400Abbott Rd.,
Suite 160, East Lansing, MI 48823–1900, http://www.ista.org. temperatures.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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D3103 − 14
4.2 Certain items, such as biological materials, performing temperature profiles (for example, multiple tem-
pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and blood pr
...
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.
´1
Designation: D3103 − 07 D3103 − 14
Standard Test Method for
1
Thermal Insulation Performance of Distribution Packages
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3103; 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
ε NOTE—Removed research report footnote from Section 11.2 editorially in September 2008.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the thermal insulation quality of a package and the thermal stability of its
contents when exposed to variable ambient temperature conditions. It is suitable for testing packages with various internal energy
sources with or without product payloads.
1.2 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 precautionary statements are given in 5.3.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
2.2 Other Standards:
3
ISTA 5B Focused Simulation Guide for Thermal Performance Testing of Temperature Controlled Transport Packaging
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for packaging and distribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 data acquisition unit and associated system—single- or multi-channel recorder and its associated software and hardware
utilizing thermocouples and thermistor sensors traceable to NIST (National Institute for Standards and Technology) that collects
and date stamps time and temperature.
3.2.2 draft-free atmosphere—an atmosphere where the test specimens are isolated from direct air currents while surrounding air
temperature is maintained uniformly throughout the chamber.
3.2.3 eutectic system, n—a mixture or compound in which pure solid phases changes occur at a well-defined specific
temperature.
3.2.4 exterior atmosphere—the atmosphere surrounding the exterior surface of a package.
3.2.5 interior atmosphere—the atmosphere in contact or near the packaged item.
3.2.6 mapping—collecting temperature data at a wide range of locations inside a package or chamber to determine the
variability of temperature range in the environment.
3.2.7 package system—the combination of exterior package, interior packaging, refrigerants, and product payload.
1
This test method 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 May 1, 2007Oct. 1, 2014. Published June 2007December 2014. Originally approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 19992007 as
ε1
D3103 – 99.D3103 – 07 . DOI: 10.1520/D3103-07E01.10.1520/D3103-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), 1400 Abbott Rd., Suite 160, East Lansing, MI 48823–1900, http://www.ista.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3103 − 14
3.2.8 product payload—the product and any associated secondary packaging that is to be temperature controlled within the
insulated test package.
3.2.9 refrigerants—eutectic materials, gel packs, ice, or other material that serves as an energy source or buffer medium within
the package system.
3.2.10 secondary package—the package that contains the primary container/closure system(s).
3.2.11 thermal conductivity, homogeneous material—the rate of heat flow, under steady conditions through unit area, per unit
temperature gradient in the direction perpendicular to the area.
4. Significance a
...
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