ASTM D1596-14(2023)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Dynamic Shock Cushioning Characteristics of Packaging Material
Standard Test Method for Dynamic Shock Cushioning Characteristics of Packaging Material
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Dynamic cushioning test data obtained by this test method are applicable to the cushioning material and not necessarily the same as obtained in a package. In addition to the influence of the package, the data can also be affected by the specimen area, thickness, loading rate, and other factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for obtaining dynamic shock cushioning characteristics of packaging materials through acceleration-time data achieved from dropping a falling guided platen assembly onto a motionless sample. This test method does not address any effects or contributions of exterior packaging assemblies.
1.2 The data acquired may be used for a single point or for use in developing a dynamic cushion curve for the specific material being tested. Such data may be used for comparison among different materials at specific input conditions, or qualifying materials against performance specifications. Caution should be used when attempting to compare data from different methods or when using such data for predicting in-package performance. Depending upon the particular materials of concern, correlation of such data (from among differing procedures or for predicting in–package performance) may be highly variable.
Note 1: Alternative and related method for possible consideration is Test Method D4168.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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.
Designation: D1596 − 14 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
Dynamic Shock Cushioning Characteristics of Packaging
Material
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1596; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for obtaining 2.1 ASTM Standards:
dynamic shock cushioning characteristics of packaging mate- D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
rials through acceleration-time data achieved from dropping a ments
falling guided platen assembly onto a motionless sample. This D4168 Test Methods for Transmitted Shock Characteristics
test method does not address any effects or contributions of of Foam-in-Place Cushioning Materials
exterior packaging assemblies. D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
Packaging Components for Testing
1.2 The data acquired may be used for a single point or for
E105 Guide for Probability Sampling of Materials
use in developing a dynamic cushion curve for the specific
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With
material being tested. Such data may be used for comparison
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
among different materials at specific input conditions, or
Lot or Process
qualifying materials against performance specifications. Cau-
tion should be used when attempting to compare data from
3. Terminology
different methods or when using such data for predicting
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for packaging and dis-
in-package performance. Depending upon the particular mate-
tribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
rials of concern, correlation of such data (from among differing
procedures or for predicting in–package performance) may be
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
highly variable.
3.2.1 acceleration, n—the rate of change of velocity of a
2 2
body with respect to time, measured in in./s (m/s ).
NOTE 1—Alternative and related method for possible consideration is
Test Method D4168.
3.2.2 displacement, n—the magnitude of movement of a
body, point, or surface from a fixed reference point, measured
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
in inches (metres).
as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for
information only.
3.2.3 dynamic cushion curve, n—a graphic representation of
dynamic shock cushioning or transmitted shock (in G’s) over a
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
variety of static loading conditions (psi or kg/square m) for a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
specific cushioning material thickness (or structure) at a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
specific equivalent free fall drop height.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2.3.1 Discussion—Such representations can encompass
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the average response readings in G’s of a number of drops, the
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
average of drops, two to five for each test phase, or represent
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
a single, specific drop number in a drop sequence (that is, first
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
or third drop data).
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.2.4 equivalent free-fall drop height, n—the calculated
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
height of free fall in vacuum required for the dropping platen
to attain a measured or given impact velocity.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.13 on Interior
Packaging. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2023. Published October 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
published in 1959. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as D1596 – 14 (2021). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D1596-14R23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D1596 − 14 (2023)
of flexing in the apparatus often can be verified with aid of high-speed
3.2.5 equivalent free-fall impact velocity, n—the calculated
video and subsequently corrected.
impact velocity of the dropping platen if it were to free fall in
a vacuum from a specific test drop height.
6.1.2 The dropping platen should have provisions for firmly
mounting additional mass to adjust its total mass to a desired
3.2.6 platen drop height, n—the actual drop height of the
value. Its mass may be determined by consideration of the
test machine platen required to obtain an equivalent free fall
static loading of the items the dynamic test is simulating.
impact velocity.
Various testing systems will have different ranges of testing
3.2.7 reaction mass, n—a mass, consisting of the impact
capability, both for drop height and static loadings.
surface and any other rigidly attached mass that reacts in an
6.1.3 All dropping platens are influenced by guide system
opposing manner to the forces produced during the impact of
friction and air resistance. The significance of these effects
the dropping platen on the impact surface.
varies with the type of apparatus and the mass on the dropping
3.2.8 static loading, n—the applied mass in pounds (kilo-
platen. For this reason, the equivalent free fall impact velocity
grams) divided by the area, measured in square inches (metres)
of the dropping platen is equated to a free fall drop height
2 2
to which the mass is applied (lbs/in. or kg/m ). Sometimes
rather than an actual platen drop height. (Example—Using the
referred to as static stress loading.
formula in 11.2, a 30 in. (0.7 m) free fall is equated to a 152
3.2.9 velocity, n—the rate of change of position of a body in in./s (3.9 m/s) impact velocity of the dropping platen.)
a specified direction with respect to time, measured in inches
6.2 Reaction Mass:
per second (metre per second).
6.2.1 The testing machine shall be attached to a reaction
3.3 Symbols:
mass. The reaction mass shall be sufficiently heavy and rigid so
3.3.1 g—symbol for the acceleration due to the effects of the
that not more than 2 % of the impact acceleration is lost to the
earth’s gravitational pull. While somewhat variable, it is
reaction mass while conducting dynamic tests. The rigid
2 2
usually considered a constant of value 386 in./s or (9.8 m/s ). impact surface should be in intimate contact with the reaction
mass so that the two bodies move as one (surface preparation
3.3.2 G—symbol for the dimensionless ratio between an
or grouting may be required). This performance may be
acceleration in length per time squared units and the accelera-
verified by using shock sensors, one located on the dropping
tion of gravity in the same units.
platen and one on the impact surface or on the reaction mass
4. Summary of Test Method
immediately next to the impact surface to measure the accel-
eration levels. The ratio of the measured impact acceleration of
4.1 An apparatus having a guided dropping platen capable
the reaction mass divided by the measured acceleration of the
of having variable mass, inputs a dynamic force into a test
dropping platen shall be equal to or less than 2 %.
specimen placed on a rigid impact surface at a predetermined
6.2.2 As an alternative to measuring the acceleration level
impact velocity that equates to a free fall drop height. An
of the reaction mass for each test condition, the reaction mass
accelerometer rigidly mounted to the dropping platen and
is acceptable if it is 50 times the maximum mass of the
connected to a data acquisition system records the shock
dropping platen. Neither the depth nor the width of such a mass
experienced (acceleration-time history) during the impact on
shall be less than half the length.
the test specimen. By changing the variables, such as impact
velocity, static loading (dropping platen mass), and the number
6.3 Instrumentation and Shock Sensors:
of test impacts for any given test, dynamic shock cushioning
6.3.1 Instrumentation is required to measure the impact
characteristics (cushion curves) of the packaging material can
velocity to an accuracy of 62 % of the true value.
be developed.
6.3.2 Accelerometers, signal conditions, and data storage
apparatus are required to monitor acceleration versus time
5. Significance and Use
histories. The instrumentation systems shall have the following
5.1 Dynamic cushioning test data obtained by this test
minimum properties:
method are applicable to the cushioning material and not
6.3.2.1 Frequency response range from 2 Hz or less to at
necessarily the same as obtained in a package. In addition to
least 1000 Hz.
the influence of the package, the data can also be affected by
6.3.2.2 Accuracy reading to be within 65 % of the actual
the specimen area, thickness, loading rate, and other factors.
value.
6.3.2.3 Cross axis sensitivity less than 5 % of full scale.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Testing Machine:
7. Sampling
6.1.1 Any guided vertical drop testing system that will
7.1 The choice of sampling plans for materials depends on
produce test conditions conforming to the requirements speci-
the purpose of the testing. Practice E105 is recommended.
fied in this section is acceptable. The system shall consist of a
7.2 The number of test specimens for each condition of test
rigid flat faced dropping platen, a rigid flat impact surface
(for example, static loading) depends on the desired degree of
whose face is parallel to the dropping platen face.
p
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