ASTM D5487-98(2008)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Containers by Shock Machines
Standard Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Containers by Shock Machines
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Shipping containers and the interior packaging materials are used to protect their contents from the hazards encountered in handling, transportation, and storage. Shock is one of the more troublesome of these hazards. Free-fall drop testing, while easy to perform, often understresses the test specimen by subjecting it to drops which are not perpendicular to the dropping surface.
Note 1—For example, testing has shown that non-perpendicular drops, 2° off perpendicularity, result in 8 % lower acceleration into the test specimen resulting from the impact energy dispersing in several axes.
Controlled shock input by shock machines provides a convenient method for evaluating the ability of shipping containers, interior packaging materials, and contents to withstand shocks. Simulated free-fall drop testing of package systems, which have critical elements, has produced good results where the frequency of the shock pulse is at least three times that of the package system's natural frequency.
As in most mechanical shock test procedures, fixturing of the package on the shock test machine may have significant influence on the test results. Typically, packages will be firmly held on the table by securing some type of cross member(s) across the top of the package. Care should be taken that any pressure resulting from such fixturing should be minimal, particularly when the container being tested is corrugated or some other similar material.
In cases where low-acceleration, long-duration responses are anticipated, any fixturing can potentially influence packaged item response and can possibly alter any correlation between this test method and free-fall drop testing. Where such correlation is desired, the package can be tested without it being fixed directly to the table. Note that in such circumstances, the shipping container can vigorously rebound from the table and can, if not otherwise controlled, present a safety problem for operators. Fixing the shipping container to ...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the general procedures of using shock machines to replicate the effects of vertical drops of loaded shipping containers, cylindrical containers, and bags and sacks.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 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.
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Designation: D5487 − 98(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Test Method for
Simulated Drop of Loaded Containers by Shock Machines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5487; 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 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 critical element—the most fragile component of the
1.1 This test method covers the general procedures of using
test specimen.
shock machines to replicate the effects of vertical drops of
3.2.2 shock pulse programmer—a device used to control the
loaded shipping containers, cylindrical containers, and bags
parameters of the shock pulse and shape of the pulse generated
and sacks.
by the shock test machine.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3.2.3 shock test machine drop height—the distance through
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
which the carriage of the shock test machine free falls before
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
striking the shock pulse programmer.
and are not considered standard.
3.2.4 velocity—the rate of change of position of a body in a
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
specified direction with respect to time, measured in inches per
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
second or metres per second.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4. Significance and Use
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 Shippingcontainersandtheinteriorpackagingmaterials
2. Referenced Documents
are used to protect their contents from the hazards encountered
in handling, transportation, and storage. Shock is one of the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
more troublesome of these hazards. Free-fall drop testing,
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
while easy to perform, often understresses the test specimen by
ments
subjecting it to drops which are not perpendicular to the
D999 Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Con-
dropping surface.
tainers
D3332 Test Methods for Mechanical-Shock Fragility of
NOTE 1—For example, testing has shown that non-perpendicular drops,
Products, Using Shock Machines
2° off perpendicularity, result in 8 % lower acceleration into the test
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or specimen resulting from the impact energy dispersing in several axes.
Packaging Components for Testing
4.1.1 Controlled shock input by shock machines provides a
D5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by
convenient method for evaluating the ability of shipping
Free Fall
containers, interior packaging materials, and contents to with-
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,With
stand shocks. Simulated free-fall drop testing of package
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
systems, which have critical elements, has produced good
Lot or Process
results where the frequency of the shock pulse is at least three
times that of the package system’s natural frequency.
3. Terminology
4.2 As in most mechanical shock test procedures, fixturing
3.1 General terms for packaging and distribution environ-
of the package on the shock test machine may have significant
ments are found in Terminology D996.
influence on the test results. Typically, packages will be firmly
held on the table by securing some type of cross member(s)
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
across the top of the package. Care should be taken that any
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping
pressure resulting from such fixturing should be minimal,
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
Current edition approved April 1, 2008. Published May 2008. Originally
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D5487 – 98 (2002).
DOI: 10.1520/D5487-98R08. Robert E. Newton, FragilityAssessment Theory and Test Procedures, U. Naval
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Postgraduate School, Monterey, California.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Fiedler, Robert M. and Fanfu Li, A Study of the Effects of Impact Angles on the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Shock Levels Experienced by Packaged Products, MTS Systems Corporation. On
the ASTM website. file at ASTM. Request RR:D10-1008.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5487 − 98 (2008)
particularly when the container being tested is corrugated or device which measures the shock table impact and rebound
some other similar material. velocity. Calculation which assumes the shock pulse to be a
perfect geometric figure usually is grossly inaccurate and
4.2.1 In cases where low-acceleration, long-duration re-
sponses are anticipated, any fixturing can potentially influence should not be used.
packaged item response and can possibly alter any correlation
between this test method and free-fall drop testing.Where such 6. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
correlation is desired, the package can be tested without it
6.1 The sampling and the number of test specimens depend
being fixed directly to the table. Note that in such
on the specific purposes and needs of the testing. Sample size
circumstances, the shipping container can vigorously rebound
determination in accordance with Practice E122 or other
from the table and can, if not otherwise controlled, present a
established statistical procedures is recommended.
safety problem for operators. Fixing the shipping container to
6.2 When the protective ability of the package is to be
the shock machine table is most often recommended for safety
evaluated, pack the package with the actual contents for which
and convenience, but accuracy and precision of this test
it was designed.
method should not be compromised by such fixturing.
6.2.1 Wheretheuseofactualcontentsisprohibitivebecause
NOTE 2—Arigid package system with a natural frequency above 83 Hz
of excessive cost or danger, a “dummy” load simulating the
requires a shock pulse shorter than the 2-ms (nominal) duration currently
contents with respect to dimensions, center of gravity, moment
available with many of today’s shock machines:
ofinertia,productcharacteristicssuchasviscosity,etc.,maybe
f 5 1 cycle/ d 32
~ !
s s used with accelerometers or other indicating mechanisms.
6.2.2 Regardless of which procedure is used, close or strap
f 5 1 cycle/~0.002 32! 5 250 Hz
s
the container, or both, in the same manner that will be used in
f 5 f /3
p s
preparing it for shipment.
f 5 250 Hz/3 5 83 Hz
p
6.3 The procedure for identification of the members of the
where:
container shall be in accordance with Test Method D5276.
d = shock pulse duration, s,
s
f = shock pulse frequency, Hz, and 7. Calibration and Standardization
s
f = package system frequency, which may be determined
p
7.1 The accuracy of the test equipment must be verified to
by Test Methods D999.
ensure reliable test data.
Similarly, a shock machine using an input shock pulse duration of 3 ms
would only be effective with package system frequencies below 56 Hz. 7.2 Verification of calibrations must be performed on a
regular basis to ensure compliance with all accuracy require-
5. Apparatus
ments established in Section 5.Typically, system verification is
performed minimally on an annual basis.
5.1 Shock Test Machine:
7.2.1 In no case shall the time interval between verification
5.1.1 The machine shall consist of a flat horizontal test
of calibration exceed 18 months.
surface (carriage) of sufficient strength and rigidity to remain
7.2.2 Regardless of the time interval since the last
flat and horizontal under stress developed during the test. The
verification, testing machines shall be verified immediately
test surface shall be guided to fall vertically without rotation or
after functional repairs, relocation, and whenever there is
translation in other directions.
reason to doubt the accuracy.
5.1.2 T
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