ASTM D3071-94

Standard Test Method for Drop Testing of Glass Aerosol Bottles (Withdrawn 2000)

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the acceptability of a bottle design in a glass container for packaging a given aerosol formulation by drop testing.  
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 whoever uses this standard to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-1993
• Withdrawal Date: 09-Oct-2000
• ICS: 55.130 - Aerosol containers
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn.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: D 3071 – 94
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
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Drop Testing of Glass Aerosol Bottles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3071; 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.
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1. Scope 4.2.1 Several rubber stoppers, with ⁄2-in. (13-mm) hole,
will be needed for the various shapes of the bottles to be tested.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the accept-
A stopper with a flat surface will be suitable for flat bottles,
ability of a bottle design in a glass container for packaging a
while stoppers with curved surfaces cut into them will be
given aerosol formulation by drop testing.
necessary to obtain a tight seal for bottles having other shapes.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2.2 Other mechanisms that give equivalent control of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
drop positions may be substituted for the vacuum system.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.3 Air Ovens, two, maintained at 70 and 100°F (21 and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 38°C).
2. Summary of Test Method
5. Sampling
2.1 The arithmetic mean height of a specific glass aerosol
5.1 Samples shall be selected at random from the production
bottle design is determined by dropping the bottles, loaded
batch.
with the given formulation.
2.2 Dropping an additional group of similarly filled bottles
6. Test Specimens
at the arithmetic mean height provides a means of evaluating
6.1 A total of 75 bottles, maintained at either 70 or 100°F
any potential bursting hazard of the final package, incorporat-
(21 or 38°C), shall be tested from one given drop position.
ing factors of bottle design, formulation, loading techniques,
etc.
7. Conditioning
3. Definition
7.1 Place the bottles to be tested in the air ovens for a
3.1 break—ruptured bottle no longer usable. In plastic-
minimum of 3 h prior to testing.
coated bottles, glass ruptures, even though the plastic coating
remains intact.
8. Procedure
4. Apparatus
8.1 During Development Stage:
8.1.1 Place a bottle in position against the rubber stopper at
4.1 Drop Surface, consisting of a 12 by 12-in. (305 by
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305-mm) square steel plate, ⁄4 in. (6.4 mm) thick, imbedded in the terminal of the vacuum system. Open the vacuum system to
atmospheric pressure by means of the three-way stopcock,
an 18 by 18-in. (457 by 457-mm) square concrete pad, 2 in. (51
mm) thick. allowing the vacuum to be released and the bottle to fall to the
drop surface from a height of 6 ft (1.8 m).
4.2 Dropping Mechanism, consisting of a rubber stopper
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with a ⁄2-in. (13-mm) hole, connected to a suitable vacuum
NOTE 1—Take care to position and release the bottles properly, to
system (for example, a vacuum pump, laboratory line vacuum,
prevent twisting and rotation in the air as the bottle falls.
or water aspirator) to hold the bottles above the drop surface.
8.1.2 Repeat 8.1.1 with the remaining bottles, dropping each
The line connecting the stopper with the vacuum system shall
bottle only once, as follows:
be provided with a three-way stopcock to release the vacuum.
8.1.2.1 If the first bottle breaks, drop the next bottle from a
The rubber stopper shall be fastened by any suitable means
above the dropping surface in such a position that the falling height of 4 ft (1.2 m). If this bottle breaks, drop the next bottle
bottle will land as near as possible to the center of the dropping from 2 ft (0.6 m).
surface.
8.1.2.2 If the third bottle does not break, drop the next bottle
from 4 ft (1.2 m). If the fourth bottle breaks, drop the next
bottle from 2 ft (0.6 m).
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-10 on
8.1.2.3 Continue this pattern throughout the testing of the 75
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.32 on Consumer
Packages. Originally developed by the Chemical Specialities Manufacturers Assn. bottles.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 1994. Published January 1995. Originally
published as D 3071–72. Last previous edition D 3071–79 (1984). NOTE 2—The drop schedule is based on a statistical design known as
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D 3071
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the “up and down” method of sensitivity testing. If a bottle breaks at a
8.1.5 Calculation:
given height, the next bottle is dropped from a height one interval lower.
8.1.5.
...