ASTM D4332-22

Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Many materials from which containers and packages are made, especially cellulosic materials, undergo changes in physical properties as the temperature and the relative humidity (RH) to which they are exposed are varied. Therefore, the package should be placed and kept in a specified atmosphere for a length of time such that subsequent measurements of physical properties will be meaningful and reproducible.  
4.2 The conditions described in this practice are either historically accepted standard conditions or special laboratory conditions chosen to represent particular phases of the distribution environment. These special conditions do not necessarily duplicate actual field conditions, but tend to simulate them and have effects on packages and materials which may be related to their field performance.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides for standard and special conditioning and testing atmospheres that may be used to simulate particular field conditions that a container, package, or packaging component may encounter during its life or testing cycle.  
1.2 This practice describes procedures for conditioning these containers, packages, or packaging components so that they approach or reach equilibrium with the atmosphere to which they may be exposed. This standard is commonly used for conditioning when conducting transit simulation tests.  
1.3 Practice D685 should be used as the relevant conditioning standard when quantification of box compression strength at standard atmosphere conditions is required.  
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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2022
• ICS: 55.020 - Packaging and distribution of goods in general
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.21 - Shipping Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods

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: D4332 − 22
Standard Practice for
Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging
1
Components for Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4332; 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.
1. Scope E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier
Packaging
1.1 This practice provides for standard and special condi-
E337 Test Method for Measuring Humidity with a Psy-
tioning and testing atmospheres that may be used to simulate
chrometer (the Measurement of Wet- and Dry-Bulb Tem-
particular field conditions that a container, package, or pack-
peratures)
aging component may encounter during its life or testing cycle.
F2825 Practice for Climatic Stressing of Packaging Systems
1.2 This practice describes procedures for conditioning
for Single Parcel Delivery
these containers, packages, or packaging components so that
they approach or reach equilibrium with the atmosphere to 3. Terminology
which they may be exposed. This standard is commonly used
3.1 Terms and definitions used in this practice may be found
for conditioning when conducting transit simulation tests.
in Terminology D996, Terminology D1968, or Specification
1.3 Practice D685 should be used as the relevant condition- E171.
ing standard when quantification of box compression strength
4. Significance and Use
at standard atmosphere conditions is required.
4.1 Many materials from which containers and packages are
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
made, especially cellulosic materials, undergo changes in
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
physicalpropertiesasthetemperatureandtherelativehumidity
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(RH) to which they are exposed are varied. Therefore, the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
package should be placed and kept in a specified atmosphere
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
for a length of time such that subsequent measurements of
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
physical properties will be meaningful and reproducible.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.2 The conditions described in this practice are either
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
historically accepted standard conditions or special laboratory
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
conditions chosen to represent particular phases of the distri-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
bution environment. These special conditions do not necessar-
ily duplicate actual field conditions, but tend to simulate them
2. Referenced Documents
and have effects on packages and materials which may be
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
related to their field performance.
D685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products
5. Atmospheric Conditions
for Testing
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
5.1 Preconditioning Atmosphere—20 °C to 40 °C (68 °F to
ments
104 °F) and 10 % to 35 % relative humidity.
D1968 Terminology Relating to Paper and Paper Products
5.2 Standard Conditioning Atmosphere—23 °C 6 1°C
(73.4 °F 6 2 °F) and 50 % 6 2 % relative humidity.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging
NOTE 1—Average values must fall within these limits. Short-term
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping Containers and
fluctuations and measurement limitations may cause individual measure-
Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
ments to vary up to 62°C(63.6 °F) and 65 % relative humidity without
Current edition approved May 1, 2022. Published June 2022. Originally
significant impairment of test precision.
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D4332 – 14. DOI:
10.1520/D4332-22.
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
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4332 − 22
5.3 Environmental ConditioningAtmosphere—The environ- to be performed. Fiberboard containers (and cont
...

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: D4332 − 14 D4332 − 22
Standard Practice for
Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging
1
Components for Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4332; 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.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice provides for standard and special conditioning and testing atmospheres that may be used to simulate particular
field conditions that a container, package, or packaging component may encounter during its life or testing cycle.
1.2 This practice describes procedures for conditioning these containers, packages, or packaging components so that they approach
or reach equilibrium with the atmosphere to which they may be exposed. This standard is commonly used for conditioning when
conducting transit simulation tests.
1.3 Practice D685 should be used as the relevant conditioning standard when quantification of box compression strength at
standard atmosphere conditions is required.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental 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.
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
E41D1968 Terminology Relating to ConditioningPaper and Paper Products (Withdrawn 2019)
E171 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Packaging
E337 Test Method for Measuring Humidity with a Psychrometer (the Measurement of Wet- and Dry-Bulb Temperatures)
F2825 Practice for Climatic Stressing of Packaging Systems for Single Parcel Delivery
3. Terminology
3.1 Terms and definitions used in this practice may be found in Terminology D996, Terminology E41D1968, or Specification
E171.
1
This practice 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 Nov. 1, 2014May 1, 2022. Published January 2015June 2022. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 20132014 as
D4332D4332 – 14. –13. DOI: 10.1520/D4332-14.10.1520/D4332-22.
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4332 − 22
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Many materials from which containers and packages are made, especially cellulosic materials, undergo changes in physical
properties as the temperature and the relative humidity (RH) to which they are exposed are varied. Therefore, the package should
be placed and kept in a specified atmosphere for a length of time such that subsequent measurements of physical properties will
be meaningful and reproducible.
4.2 The conditions described in this practice are either historically accepted standard conditions or special laboratory conditions
chosen to represent particular phases of the distribution environment. These special conditions do not necessarily duplicate actual
field conditions, but tend to simulate them and have effects on packages and materials which may be related to their field
performance.
5. Atmospheric Conditions
5.1 Preconditioning Atmosphere—2020 °C to 40°C (6840 °C (68 °F to 104°F)104 °F) and 1010 % to 35 % relative humidity.
5.2 Standard Conditioning Atmosphere— 23 6 1°C (73.4 6 2°F) and 5023 °C 6 1 °C (73.4 °F 6 2 °F) and 50 % 6 2 % relative
humidity.
NOTE 1—Average values must fall within these limits. Short-term fluctuations and
...