ASTM D4168-95

Standard Test Methods for Transmitted Shock Characteristics of Foam-in-Place Cushioning Materials

SCOPE
1.1 These test methods determine the shock-absorbing characteristics of foam-in-place packaging materials.  
1.2 Test Method A uses a free-fall package drop test apparatus.  
1.3 Test Method B uses a shock-test apparatus.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-1994
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.13 - Interior Packaging

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D4168-95(2002) - Standard Test Methods for Transmitted Shock Characteristics of Foam-in-Place Cushioning Materials
• Effective Date: 15-May-1995

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn.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 4168 – 95
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 Methods for
Transmitted Shock Characteristics of Foam-in-Place
1
Cushioning Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4168; 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 equivalent free-fall height—the calculated height of
1.1 These test methods determine the shock-absorbing char-
free fall in a vacuum required for a falling body to attain a
acteristics of foam-in-place packaging materials.
measured or given impact velocity.
1.2 Test Method A uses a free-fall package drop test appa-
3.2.2 foam-in-place cushioning material—a material that is
ratus.
formed by dispensing chemical components which react and
1.3 Test Method B uses a shock-test apparatus.
expand to produce a foam cushioning material in a container or
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
mold.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.3 free rise core density—the density of a foam sample
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
taken from the interior of a bun of foam (without skin) that was
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
produced under unrestricted (free-rise) conditions in pounds
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
per cubic foot (kilograms per cubic metre).
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.4 static loading—the applied mass in pounds (kilo-
grams) divided by the area, measured in square inches (square
2.1 ASTM Standards:
metres) to which the mass is applied in pounds per squares
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
2
inches (kilograms per square metre).
ments
3.2.5 velocity change—the sum of the impact velocity and
D 1596 Test Method for Dynamic Shock Cushioning Char-
2
any rebound velocity.
acteristics of Packaging Materials
3.3 Symbols:
D 3332 Test Method for Mechanical-Shock Fragility of
2
3.3.1 g—symbol for the acceleration due to the effects of the
Products, Using Shock Machines
earth’s gravitational pull. While somewhat variable, it is
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning of Containers, Packages,
2
usually considered a constant of value 386 in./s/s (9.8 m/s/s).
or Package Components for Testing
D 5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by
4. Summary of Test Methods
2
Free Fall
4.1 The test methods consist of using the cushioning mate-
D 5487 Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Con-
rial to be tested to support a weighted test block inside a
2
tainers by Shock Machines
package. The complete package is subjected to drops or
E 122 Practice for Choice of Sample Size to Estimate a
controlled shocks and the accelerations transmitted to the test
3
Measure of Quality for a Lot or Process
block are measured.
4.2 Either Test Method A or B may be used. However, the
3. Terminology
two methods will not necessarily give the same result.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 acceleration—the rate of change of velocity of a body
5. Significance and Use
with respect to time, measured in inches per second per second
5.1 Data obtained by these methods may be used to deter-
(metres per second per second).
mine the transmitted shock cushioning characteristics of foam-
3.1.2 velocity—the rate of change of position of a body in a
in-place packaging materials. These data allow design of
specified direction with respect to time, measured in inches per
cushioning systems that can provide adequate and efficient use
second (metres per second).
of foam for protection of goods during a distribution life-cycle.
5.2 These methods, in contrast to other methods that usually
1 test only the cushioning foam, are designed to evaluate
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-10 on
Packaging and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.13 on Interior foam-in-place cushioning materials in a manner in which the
Packaging.
foam-in-place packaging material is used. In particular, the
Current edition approved May 15, 1995. Published July 1995. Originally
method includes simultaneous use of a plastic film, the foam,
published as D 4168 – 82. Last previous edition D 4168 – 88.
2
and the box usually used in this method of packaging. See Fig.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. 1.
1

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NOTICE:¬This¬standard¬has¬either¬been¬superseded¬and¬replaced
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