ASTM D4279-95(2003)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Shipping Containers-Constant and Cycle Methods
Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Shipping Containers-Constant and Cycle Methods
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These test methods are normally used for the following purposes:
4.1.1 To evaluate materials and constructions for a specific type of container,
4.1.2 To compare performance of different types of containers,
4.1.3 To determine adequacy of protection for a specific product or application, and
4.1.4 To maintain quality control.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of water vapor transmission rates for bulk shipping containers, as follows:
1.1.1 Method A, for Reclosable Containers, and
1.1.2 Method B, for Containers Not Designed for Reclosing.
1.2 Within each procedure details are given for the constant and cycle methods of test atmosphere.
1.3 The test may be applied to the container as packed, or after one or more performance tests such as drum (Method D 782), vibration (Methods D 999), drop (Test Method D 5276), impact resistance (Test Methods D 880, D 4003, and D 5277), or performance tests (Practice D 4169), as required.
1.4 For small shipping containers requiring greater accuracy in weighing, the water vapor transmission may be determined in accordance with Test Method D 895 or Test Method D 1251.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Relations
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D4279–95 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Methods for
Water Vapor Transmission of Shipping Containers—
Constant and Cycle Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4279; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D999 Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping
Containers
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of water
D1251 Test Method forWaterVapor Permeability of Pack-
vapor transmission rates for bulk shipping containers, as
ages by Cycle Method
follows:
D4003 Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Impact
1.1.1 Method A, for Reclosable Containers, and
Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
1.1.2 Method B, for Containers Not Designed for Reclos-
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
ing.
tainers and Systems
1.2 Within each procedure details are given for the constant
D5276 TestMethodforDropTestofLoadedContainersby
and cycle methods of test atmosphere.
Free Fall
1.3 The test may be applied to the container as packed, or
D5277 Test Method for Performing Programmed Horizon-
after one or more performance tests such as drum (Method
tal Impacts Using an Inclined Impact Tester
D 782), vibration (Methods D 999), drop (Test Method
D5276), impact resistance (Test Methods D880, D4003, and
3. Terminology
D5277), or performance tests (Practice D4169), as required.
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for the packaging and
1.4 Forsmallshippingcontainersrequiringgreateraccuracy
distribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
in weighing, the water vapor transmission may be determined
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: De-
inaccordancewithTestMethodD895orTestMethodD1251.
scriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.1 water vapor transmission rate of a shipping container
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
(constant atmosphere method)—for the purpose of this test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
method,therateatwhichwateristransmittedintothecontainer
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
from the test atmosphere (normally of 90 6 2% relative
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
humidity and a temperature of 100° 6 2°F (37.8°6 1.1°C)
2. Referenced Documents surrounding it while a desiccant is sealed within.
3.2.2 water vapor transmission into a container (cycle
2.1 ASTM Standards:
atmosphere method)—forthistestmethod,theamountofwater
D782 Test Methods for Shipping Containers in Revolving
transmitted into the container from the test atmosphere during
Hexagonal Drum
one cycle while a desiccant is sealed within.
D880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Con-
3.2.3 cycle—oneseriesoftestatmospherestowhichthetest
tainers and Systems
specimens are exposed. Normally one cycle will consist of 1
D895 Test Method for Water Vapor Permeability of Pack-
week of exposure to a temperature of 0° 6 5°F (−17.8° 6
ages
2.8°C) to be followed by 3 weeks of exposure at a temperature
D996 TerminologyofPackagingandDistributionEnviron-
of100° 62°F(37.8°61.1°C)andarelativehumidityof90 6
ments
2%.
4. Significance and Use
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
PackagingandarethedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD10.23onStorageTest
4.1 These test methods are normally used for the following
Methods.
purposes:
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1995. Published November 1995. Originally
published as D4279–83. Last previous edition D4279–83(1995)e . 4.1.1 To evaluate materials and constructions for a specific
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
type of container,
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.
Withdrawn.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4279–95 (2003)
4.1.2 Tocompareperformanceofdifferenttypesofcontain- weighing,immediatelytransferintothetestspecimen.Uncover
ers, the receptacle and close and seal the specimen in the normal
4.1.3 To determine adequacy of protection for a specific manner. The desiccant may require one or more replacements
product or application, and if it becomes noticeably moist during the test.
4.1.4 To maintain quality control.
NOTE 1—When the test is conducted to determine the water vapor
transmission of the shipping container for research, development, manu-
METHOD A—RECLOSABLE CONTAINERS
facturing control, specification acceptance, etc., a desiccant shall be used
as the water absorbing medium. When the test is used to determine the
5. Apparatus
suitability of the shipping container with respect to water vapor resistance
5.1 Desiccant—Adesiccant shall be used that has a power- for a particular product, the product shall be used in lieu of the desiccant.
ful affinity for water and a high drying efficiency, that is, a low
7.2 Place the specimen inside the test room or cabinet in a
vapor pressure after absorbing a large amount of water. The
position where free access of the conditioned circulating air is
desiccant shall be in the form of small lumps that will pass a
provided on all surfaces of the container according to the
No. 8 (2.36-mm) sieve and be free from fines that will pass a
following:
No. 30 (600-µm) sieve. Anhydrous calcium chloride and
7.2.1 Constant Atmosphere Method—Normallysurrounding
anhydrous magnesium perchlorate have been found suitable.
conditionsare90 62%relativehumidityandatemperatureof
When the test is made to determine the suitability of a specific
100° 6 2°F (37.7° 6 1.1°C).
container for a particular product, that product may be used
7.2.2 Cycle Atmosphere Method—Placethespecimeninthe
inside the test specimen instead of the desiccant, in which case
low temperature test room or cabinet (normally maintained at
the specimen shall be filled to normal capacity.
0°F (−17.8°C) for a period of 1 week. Follow immediately by
5.2 Weighing Balance—A weighing balance accurate to
3 weeks of exposure to the high temperature and humidity
within 1 g shall be used. When the required amount of
(normally 100°F (37.8°C) and 90% relative humidity).
desiccant is greater than can be weighed on a balance of this
7.3 Make successive weighings of the receptacle at suitable
sensitivity, two or more receptacles shall be used and weighed
intervals and plot the mass gained against time using these
individually.Whenproducttestsaremade,aregularlaboratory
schedules:
balance and drying oven or other appropriate equipment are
7.3.1 Constant Method—Accuracy of the test is adversely
required for making standard moisture determinations peculiar
affected by too frequent weighings. For highly permeable
to the product.
containers a minimum weighing frequency of 3 days is
5.3 Receptacle for Desiccant—A nonmoisture-absorptive
recommended. For containers having a low rate of transmis-
3 1
receptacle ⁄4 to 1 ⁄2 in. (19 to 38 mm) deep shall be used for
sion, a weighing frequency of biweekly to monthly is recom-
holding the desiccant within the container being tested. It
mended.
shouldbeequippedwithacoverthatwillrestonthetoprimof
7.3.2 Cycle Method—Make successive weighings of the
thereceptacletoprotectthedesiccantfrompickingupmoisture
receptacle at the completion of each cycle. It is suggested that
while being weighed.
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.