ASTM D4169-23e1
(Practice)Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 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).6 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.
4.2 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 Consider the use of Practice D7386 for testing of packages for single parcel shipments.
1.3 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardous materials has not been determined.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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Designation: D4169 − 23
Standard Practice for
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Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4169; 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
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ε NOTE—Editorial corrections made throughout in March 2024.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
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1.1 This practice provides a uniform basis of evaluating, in
2.1 ASTM Standards:
a laboratory, the ability of shipping units to withstand the
D642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance
distribution environment. This is accomplished by subjecting
of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
them to a test plan consisting of a sequence of anticipated
D880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Contain-
hazard elements encountered in various distribution cycles.
ers and Systems
This practice is not intended to supplant material specifications
D951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Con-
or existing preshipment test procedures.
tainers by Spray Method
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
1.2 Consider the use of Practice D7386 for testing of
ments
packages for single parcel shipments.
D999 Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Con-
1.3 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardous
tainers
materials has not been determined.
D4003 Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Impact
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
Packaging Components for Testing
and are not considered standard.
D4728 Test Method for Random Vibration Testing of Ship-
ping Containers
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D5265 Test Method for Bridge Impact Testing
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Free Fall
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
D5277 Test Method for Performing Programmed Horizontal
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Impacts Using an Inclined Impact Tester
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
D5487 Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Contain-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ers by Shock Machines
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
D6055 Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of Unitized
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Loads and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
D6179 Test Methods for Rough Handling of Unitized Loads
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
and Large Shipping Cases and Crates
D6344 Test Method for Concentrated Impacts to Transport
Packages
D6653 Test Methods for Determining the Effects of High
Altitude on Packaging Systems by Vacuum Method
D7386 Practice for Performance Testing of Packages for
Single Parcel Delivery Systems
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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
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Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2023. Published January 2024. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as D4169 – 22. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D4169-23E01. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D4169 − 23
F1327 Terminology Relating to Barrier Materials for Medi- 3.2.8.2 large shipping unit, n—for DC-18, a large shipping
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cal Packaging (Withdrawn 2007) unit is defined as one having at least one edge dimension or
F2825 Practice for Climatic Stressing of Packaging Systems diameter over 60 in. (1.52 m) or a
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