ASTM D4991-94(1999)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Leakage Testing of Empty Rigid Containers by Vacuum Method
Standard Test Method for Leakage Testing of Empty Rigid Containers by Vacuum Method
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the testing of empty containers for resistance to leakage under differential pressure conditions such as those which can occur during air transport. It is suitable for testing rigid containers intended for the transportation of some hazardous liquids in accordance with the United Nations Recommendations On The Transport Of Dangerous Goods (UN TDG) and the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions For The Safe Transport Of Dangerous Goods By Air (ICAO TIs).
1.2 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.
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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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D4991–94 (Reapproved 1999)
Standard Test Method for
Leakage Testing of Empty Rigid Containers by Vacuum
Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4991; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 rigid container—a container sufficiently rigid that
1.1 This test method covers the testing of empty containers
under a positive pressure of 100-kPa gage the volumetric
for resistance to leakage under differential pressure conditions
expansion does not exceed 0.5 %, such as a glass bottle.
suchasthosewhichcanoccurduringairtransport.Itissuitable
for testing rigid containers intended for the transportation of
4. Summary of Test Method
some hazardous liquids in accordance with the United Nations
4.1 An empty rigid container to be tested is pressurized by
Recommendations On The Transport Of Dangerous Goods
immersioninanethyleneglycol-watersolutioninatransparent
(UN TDG) and the International Civil Aviation Organization
test chamber and subjected to a gradually increasing partial
Technical Instructions For The Safe Transport Of Dangerous
vacuum. The container is observed for signs of leakage, as
Goods By Air (ICAO TIs).
evidenced by escaping air bubbles during depressurization or
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
fluid in the container after re-pressurization.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.1 Containers may be pressurized in accordance with this
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
test method without modification to the closure or to the body
2. Referenced Documents of the container. This test method may be used for testing rigid
2 containersintendedforthetransportationofsomeliquidsbyair
2.1 ASTM Standards:
in accordance with the ICAOTIs or in accordance with the UN
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
TDG.
ments
5.2 This test method establishes the point at which leakage
D 3078 Test Method for Determination of Leaks in Flexible
commences, with a limit of approximately 95-kPa (13.8-psi)
Packaging by Bubble Emission
differential. See Test Method D 3078 for flexible packages.
2.2 United Nations Document:
5.3 Thistestmethodmaynotbesuitableforsomepackages,
ST/SG/AC.10/1 Recommendations On The Transport Of
3 such as packages with paper cap seals, where the test fluid may
Dangerous Goods
rapidly deteriorate the packaging.
2.3 International Civil Aviation Organization:
DOC 9284-AN/905 Technical Instructions For The Safe
6. Apparatus
Transport Of Dangerous Goods By Air
6.1 Transparent Vessel, large enough to permit the test
specimen(s) to be immersed in the test fluid with a minimum
3. Terminology
headspace of 20 %, capable of withstanding at least 1 ⁄2-atm
3.1 Definitions: Terms and definitions used in this test
pressure differential, fitted with a flat vacuum-tight cover is
method may be found in Terminology D 996.
required.
6.2 Vacuum Gage, Inlet Tube from a Source of Vacuum, and
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 onPack- Outlet Tube to the Atmosphere, shall be sealed into the cover.
aging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.23 on Storage Test
The inlet and outlet tubes shall be equipped with handoperated
Methods.
valves. The vacuum gage shall be laboratory quality with a
Current edition approvedOct. 10, 1999 August 1994
full-scale range from 0 to 100 kPa (0 to 14.5 psi) with
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
minimum graduations no greater than 2 kPa (0.3 psi) and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
accuracy to within 1 %. A suitable moisture trap, to prevent
the ASTM website.
3 back-flow of liquid, should be fitted between the vacuum gage
Available from United Nations Sales Section, United Nations, New York, NY
10017. and the source of vacuum.
Available from Intereg Group, Inc., 5724 N. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60646.
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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.
D4991–94 (1999)
6.3 Solution of Ethylene Glycol in Water, 50 % by Volume bubblesaspossiblefromtheoutersurfaceofthetestspecimens
for use as a test fluid, at ambient temperature unless otherwise by agitation or other means.
specified, is required. Where a test temperature other than 9.1.1 More than one specimen can be tested at one time
ambient is specified, the solution shall be at the specified test provided that there is sufficient space in the test chamber to
temperature. Other solutions may be required for high and low allow clear observation of each specimen. If this is done, affix
temperatures. the test specimens so closures are sufficiently separated to
permit individual observation of each, to detect leakage.
NOTE 1—If ethylene glycol antifreeze solution is used, it should be
9.2 Seal the lid, open the hand valve on the inlet tube, and
clarified by filtering through activated charcoal.
close the hand valve on the outlet tube to the atmosphere. Turn
6.4 A suitable means to hold the test specimen(s) with the
on the vacuum so that the gage rises slowly (from 30 s to 1
closure(s) not m
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