Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This practice provides a guide for the evaluation of shipping units in accordance with a uniform system, using established test methods at levels representative of those occurring in actual distribution. The recommended test levels are based on available information on the shipping and handling environment, and current industry/government practice and experience (1-13).4 The tests should be performed sequentially on the same containers in the order given. For use as a performance test, this practice requires that the shipping unit tested remain unopened until the sequence of tests are completed. If used for other purposes, such as package development, it may be useful to open and inspect shipping units at various times throughout the sequence. This may, however, prohibit evaluating the influence of the container closure on container performance.
For Distribution Cycle 18, as referred to in MIL-STD–2073–1, the use of this practice is defined in subsequent sections identified as DC-18.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides a uniform basis of evaluating, in a laboratory, the ability of shipping units to withstand the distribution environment. This is accomplished by subjecting them to a test plan consisting of a sequence of anticipated hazard elements encountered in various distribution cycles. This practice is not intended to supplant material specifications or existing preshipment test procedures.
1.2 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardous materials has not been determined.
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. Specific precautionary statements are given in 1.1.

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Publication Date
30-Sep-2005
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D4169–05
Standard Practice for
1
Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4169; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
Packaging Components for Testing
1.1 This practice provides a uniform basis of evaluating, in
D 4728 Test Method for Random Vibration Testing of
a laboratory, the ability of shipping units to withstand the
Shipping Containers
distribution environment. This is accomplished by subjecting
D 5276 Test Method for DropTest of Loaded Containers by
them to a test plan consisting of a sequence of anticipated
Free Fall
hazard elements encountered in various distribution cycles.
D 5277 Test Method for Performing Programmed Horizon-
This practice is not intended to supplant material specifications
tal Impacts Using an Inclined Impact Tester
or existing preshipment test procedures.
D 5487 Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Con-
1.2 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardous
tainers by Shock Machines
materials has not been determined.
D 6055 Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D 6179 Test Methods for Rough Handling of Unitized
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
D 6653 Test Methods for Determining the Effects of High
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
Altitude on Packaging Systems by Vacuum Method
tionary statements are given in 1.1.
F 1327 TerminologyRelatingtoBarrierMaterialsforMedi-
2. Referenced Documents cal Packaging
3
2
2.2 Military Standards:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
MIL-STD-2073-1 DOD Standard Practice for Military
D 642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resis-
Packaging
tance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit
Loads
3. Terminology
D 880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Con-
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for the packaging and
tainers and Systems
distribution environments are found in Terminology D 996.
D 951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Con-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
tainers by Spray Method
3.2.1 acceptance criteria—the acceptable quality level that
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
must be met after the shipping unit has been subjected to the
ments
test plan. See Section 7.
D 999 Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping
3.2.2 assurance level—the level of test intensity based on
Containers
its probability of occurring in a typical distribution cycle.
D 4003 Methods of Programmable Horizontal Impact Test
3.2.2.1 Discussion—Level I is a high level of test intensity
for Shipping Containers and Systems
andhasalowprobabilityofoccurrence.LevelIIIisalowlevel
of test intensity, but has a correspondingly high probability of
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D10 on Packaging
occurrence. Level II is between these extremes. For Distribu-
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD10.21onShippingContainersand
tion Cycle 18, DC-18 see MIL–STD–2073–1 for definitions of
Systems-Application of Performance Test Methods.
military levels of protection.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2005. Published November 2005. Originally
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D 4169 – 04a.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
the ASTM website. Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4169–05
3.2.3 coeffıcient of restitution—the ratio of the rebound unit tested remain unopened until the sequence of tests are
velocity to the impact velocity. completed. If used for other purposes, such as package
3.2.4 distribution cycle (DC)—the sequential listing of the development, it may be useful to open and inspect shipping
test schedules employed to simulate the hazard elem
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D4169–01 Designation:D4169–05
Standard Practice for
1
Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4169; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 Thispracticeprovidesauniformbasisofevaluating,inalaboratory,theabilityofshippingunitstowithstandthedistribution
environment. This is accomplished by subjecting them to a test plan consisting of a sequence of anticipated hazard elements
encountered in various distribution cycles.This practice is not intended to supplant material specifications or existing preshipment
test procedures.
1.2 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardous materials has not been determined.
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. Specific precautionary statements are given in 1.1.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
D 880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Containers and Systems
D 951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Containers by Spray Method
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D 999 Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers
D 4003 Methods of Programmable Horizontal Impact Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
D 4728 Test Method for Random Vibration Testing of Shipping Containers
D 5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by Free Fall
D 5277 Test Method for Performing Programmed Horizontal Impacts Using an Inclined Impact Tester
D 5487 Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Containers by Shock Machines
D 6055 Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
2
D 6179Test Methods for Rough Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates Test Methods for Rough
Handling of Unitized Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
D 6653 Test Methods for Determining the Effects of High Altitude on Packaging Systems by Vacuum Method
F 1327 Terminology Relating to Barrier Materials for Medical Packaging
3
2.2 Military Standards:
MIL-STD-2073-1 DOD Standard Practice for Military Packaging
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions— General definitions for the packaging and distribution environments are found in Terminology D 996.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 acceptance criteria—the acceptable quality level that must be met after the shipping unit has been subjected to the test
plan. See Section 7.
3.2.2 assurance level—the level of test intensity based on its probability of occurring in a typical distribution cycle.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—Level I is a high level of test intensity and has a low probability of occurrence. Level III is a low level of
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.
´1
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 2001. Published December 2001. Originally published as D4169-82. Last previous edition D4169-99 .
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2005. Published November 2005. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D 4169 – 04a.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 15.09.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4169–05
test intensity, but has a correspondingly high probability
...

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