ASTM D642-20

Standard Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Compressive resistance is one of the properties used to evaluate the ability of shipping containers, components, and unit loads to successfully survive the compressive forces they are subjected to during storage and distribution (see Note 1).
Note 1: For constant load test refer to Test Method D4577.  
4.2 Compressive resistance may be determined with either fixed- or swiveled-platen-type testing machines. However, a fixed-head compression machine is required to perform edge-to-edge and corner-to-corner orientations on test specimens (see Note 2). Also, unit loads are generally tested only in the top-to-bottom orientation.
Note 2: Fixed-platen machines generally cause corrugated box specimens to fail at their strongest point, while swivel-platen machines cause corrugated box specimens to fail at their weakest point.5 The swiveled platen is allowed to move to the weakest point of the container.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers compression tests on shipping containers (for example, boxes and drums) or components, or both. Shipping containers may be tested with or without contents. The procedure may be used for measuring the ability of the container to resist external compressive loads applied to its faces, to diagonally opposite edges, or to corners. This test method covers testing of multiple containers or unit loads, in addition to individual shipping containers, components, materials, or combination thereof.  
1.2 The test method of applying load may be used to compare the characteristics of a given design of container with a standard, or to compare the characteristics of containers differing in construction.  
1.3 This test method is related to TAPPI T 804. This test method fulfills the requirements of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Test Method 12048. The ISO standards may not meet the requirements for this test method.  
1.4 The test may be conducted with the container loaded with contents and interior packaging in cases where the contents share the load.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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.  
1.7 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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2020
• ICS: 55.180.40 - Complete, filled transport packages
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.21 - Shipping Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D4442-20 - Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2020

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.
Designation: D642 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping
1
Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D642; 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.
1. Scope Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1 This test method covers compression tests on shipping
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
containers (for example, boxes and drums) or components, or
both. Shipping containers may be tested with or without
2. Referenced Documents
contents. The procedure may be used for measuring the ability
2
of the container to resist external compressive loads applied to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
its faces, to diagonally opposite edges, or to corners. This test
D685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products
method covers testing of multiple containers or unit loads, in
for Testing
addition to individual shipping containers, components,
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
materials, or combination thereof.
ments
1.2 The test method of applying load may be used to D1968 Terminology Relating to Paper and Paper Products
compare the characteristics of a given design of container with
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
a standard, or to compare the characteristics of containers tainers and Systems
differing in construction.
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
Packaging Components for Testing
1.3 This test method is related to TAPPI T 804. This test
D4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measure-
method fulfills the requirements of International Organization
ment of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
for Standardization (ISO) Test Method 12048. The ISO stan-
D4577 Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Con-
dards may not meet the requirements for this test method.
tainer Under Constant Load
1.4 The test may be conducted with the container loaded
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
with contents and interior packaging in cases where the
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,With
contents share the load.
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Lot or Process
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3
2.2 TAPPI Standards:
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
T 412 Moisture in Pulp, Paper and Paperboard
and are not considered standard.
T 804 CompressionTestingofFiberboardShippingContain-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ers
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4
2.3 ISO Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ISO 12048 Packaging—Complete, Filled Transport
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Packages—Compression and Stacking Test Using Com-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
pression Tester
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping the ASTM website.
3
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods. Available from the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, 15
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2020. Published October 2020. Originally Technology Parkway South, Atlanta, GA 30092.
4
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D642 – 15. DOI: Available from American National Standards Institute, 25 W. 43rd St., 4th
10.1520/D0642-20. Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D642 − 20
3. Terminology universal joint to a point directly centered on the platen,
all
...

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.
Designation: D642 − 15 D642 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping
1
Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D642; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers compression tests on shipping containers (for example, boxes and drums) or components, or both.
Shipping containers may be tested with or without contents. The procedure may be used for measuring the ability of the container
to resist external compressive loads applied to its faces, to diagonally opposite edges, or to corners (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). corners.
This test method covers testing of multiple containers or unit loads, in addition to individual shipping containers, components,
materials, or combination thereof.
1.2 The test method of applying load may be used to compare the characteristics of a given design of container with a standard,
or to compare the characteristics of containers differing in construction.
1.3 This test method is related to TAPPI T804, which is similar for fixed platen machines but does not recognize swivel platen
machines. T 804. This test method fulfills the requirements of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Test Method
12048. The ISO standards may not meet the requirements for this test method.
1.4 The test may be conducted with the container loaded with contents and interior packaging in cases where the contents share
the load.
1.5 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.
1.6 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 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.
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 April 1, 2015Oct. 1, 2020. Published May 2015October 2020. Originally approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 20102015 as
D642 – 00D642 – 15.(2010). DOI: 10.1520/D0642-15.10.1520/D0642-20.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D642 − 20
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products for Testing
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D1968 Terminology Relating to Paper and Paper Products
D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
D4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
D4577 Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant Load
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or
Process
3
2.2 TAPPI Standard:Standards:
T 412 Moisture in pulp, paperPulp, Paper and paperboardPaperboard
T 804 Compression testing of fiberboard shipping containersTesting of Fiberboard Shipping Containers
4
2.3 ISO Standard:
ISO 12048 Packaging—Complete, filled transport packages—Compression and stacking test using compression testerFilled
Transport Packages—Compression and Stacking Test Using Compression Tester
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—General terms for Packaging and Distribution Environments are
...