ASTM D5998-03

Standard Specification for Molded Polyethylene Shipping and Storage Drums

ABSTRACT
This specification covers self-supporting, molded polyethylene, tight head drums for use in surface and air shipments. Drums shall be manufactured from virgin or recycled polyethylene plastics, and with handles and openings the number of which depends on the capacity of the drum. Safety seals and torque wrenches may also be provided as necessary. The drum shall be uniform in color and free of lumps, blisters, or flash, with the drum interior clean and free of foreign matter. Drop, leak proofness, hydrostatic pressure, stacking, handling, and capacity tests shall be performed and shall conform to the requirements specified. The drum shall also be examined to assess its conformance with the specified dimensions and capacity.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers self supporting, molded polyethylene, tight head drums designed for surface and air shipment, ranging in size from 5 gal [19 L] to and including 55 gal [208 L].
1.2 The polyethylene plastics to be used may be virgin plastics or recycled plastics.² Note 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
Note 2—This standard is intended to replace MIL-D-43703C.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in brackets 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jul-2003
• ICS: 55.140 - Barrels. Drums. Canisters
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: D20 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: D20.15 - Thermoplastic Materials

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D5998-96 - Standard Specification for Molded Polyethylene Shipping and Storage Drums
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM D5998-10 - Standard Specification for Molded Polyethylene Shipping and Storage Drums
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D5998 – 03
Standard Specification for
1
Molded Polyethylene Shipping and Storage Drums
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5998; 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* ANSI Z1.4 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection
by Attributes
1.1 This specification covers self supporting, molded poly-
6
2.3 Federal Regulations:
ethylene, tight head drums designed for surface and air
21 CFR 121 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and
shipment, ranging in size from 5 gal (19 L) to and including 55
Regulations Promulgated Thereunder
gal (208 L).
21 CFR 177
1.2 The polyethylene plastics to be used may be virgin
2
49 CFR 173 Shippers—General Requirements for Ship-
plastics or recycled plastics.
ments and Packagings
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
49 CFR 178 Specifications for Packaging
NOTE 2—This standard is intended to replace MIL-D-43703C.
2.4 Other:
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC-100)
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
Uniform Freight Classification (UFC)
7
information only.
2.5 National Sanitation Foundation International:
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
NSF Standard No. 2 Food Service Equipment
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
NSF Standard No. 51 Plastics Materials and Components
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Used in Food Service Equipment
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3. Terminology
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1 For definitions or terms, see Terminology D883 or
2. Referenced Documents
Guide D5033.
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4. Requirements
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D1972 Practice for Generic Marking of Plastic Products
4.1 Materials—Drums shall conform to 49 CFR 173.24 and
D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging
178.509 Type 1H1. The drum material and components shall
D4504 Specification for Molded Polyethylene Open-Head-
conform to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, Food
Pails for Industrial Shipping of Nonhazardous Goods
AdditiveAmendment21CFR177,1520andNSFInternational
D4919 Guide for Testing of Hazardous Materials Packag-
Standard No. 2 and 51 when used for food products. Recycled
ings
plastic may be used when practical as long as the finished
D5033 Guide for Development of ASTM Standards Relat-
product meets the requirements of this specification.
4
ing to Recycling and Use of Recycled Plastics
4.2 Design and Construction—Drums shall conform to 49
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2.2 ANSI Standards:
CFR173.24and178.509,Type1H1.Drumsshallbemoldedof
materials specified in 4.1. Five gallon (19 L) drums shall be
furnished with one or two carrying handles. Fifteen gallon (57
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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on L) drums shall be furnished with one or two handles on the top
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.15 on Thermoplastic
or without handles. Drums greater than 20 gal shall be
Materials.
fabricated so that they may be individually handled by cus-
Current edition approved July 10, 2003. Published September 2003. Originally
tomary handling devices. Handling devices shall withstand the
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 1996 as D5998 - 96. DOI:
10.1520/D5998-03.
combined lifted weight of the drum and contents. Rolling rings
2
As defined in Guide D5033.
on drums are optional, and when specified, a minimum of two
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
are required.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
4 6
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced AvailablefromU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeSuperintendentofDocuments,
on www.astm.org. 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401.
5 7
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., Available from NSF International, P.O. Box 130140, Ann Arbor, MI 48113-
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036. 0140.
*ASummary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
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D5998 – 03
4.2.1 Openings—The 5-gal (19-L) drum shall have one FOOD.” The marking shall be embossed or indelibly stenciled
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opening on t
...