ASTM D3103-07e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Thermal Insulation Performance of Distribution Packages
Standard Test Method for Thermal Insulation Performance of Distribution Packages
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is intended for use for evaluating the performance of thermal insulated packaging used for high-value, high-risk materials. This test method may also be used for any product that requires accurate internal package temperature readings while being exposed to a range of external air temperatures.
Certain items, such as biological materials, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and blood products, must be shipped inside temperature-controlled packages. Factors affecting the rate of heat transfer of the package include the insulation of the exterior package, the energy source, and the product payload.
Because of the variety of factors affecting the performance of a thermally insulated package, testing should be conducted with the actual package whenever possible. When simulated packages are used, special care must be exercised so that the simulated payload and coolant will be as close as possible to the actual packages in temperature and other relevant physical properties.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the thermal insulation quality of a package and the thermal stability of its contents when exposed to variable ambient temperature conditions. It is suitable for testing packages with various internal energy sources with or without product payloads.
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. Specific precautionary statements are given in 5.3.
General Information
Relations
Buy Standard
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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
´1
Designation: D3103 − 07
StandardTest Method for
1
Thermal Insulation Performance of Distribution Packages
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3103; 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
´ NOTE—Removed research report footnote from Section 11.2 editorially in September 2008.
1. Scope hardware utilizing thermocouples and thermistor sensors trace-
able to NIST(National Institute for Standards andTechnology)
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversthedeterminationofthethermal
that collects and date stamps time and temperature.
insulation quality of a package and the thermal stability of its
contents when exposed to variable ambient temperature con- 3.2.2 draft-free atmosphere—an atmosphere where the test
specimens are isolated from direct air currents while surround-
ditions. It is suitable for testing packages with various internal
energy sources with or without product payloads. ing air temperature is maintained uniformly throughout the
chamber.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.3 eutectic system, n—a mixture or compound in which
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- pure solid phases changes occur at a well-defined specific
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- temperature.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
3.2.4 exterior atmosphere—the atmosphere surrounding the
tionary statements are given in 5.3.
exterior surface of a package.
3.2.5 interior atmosphere—the atmosphere in contact or
2. Referenced Documents
near the packaged item.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.6 mapping—collecting temperature data at a wide range
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
of locations inside a package or chamber to determine the
ments
variability of temperature range in the environment.
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
Packaging Components for Testing
3.2.7 package system—thecombinationofexteriorpackage,
2.2 Other Standards: interior packaging, refrigerants, and product payload.
ISTA 5B Focused Simulation Guide for Thermal Perfor-
3.2.8 product payload—the product and any associated
manceTesting ofTemperature ControlledTransport Pack-
secondarypackagingthatistobetemperaturecontrolledwithin
3
aging
the insulated test package.
3.2.9 refrigerants—eutectic materials, gel packs, ice, or
3. Terminology
othermaterialthatservesasanenergysourceorbuffermedium
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for packaging and dis-
within the package system.
tribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
3.2.10 secondary package—the package that contains the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
primary container/closure system(s).
3.2.1 data acquisition unit and associated system—single-
3.2.11 thermal conductivity, homogeneous material—the
or multi-channel recorder and its associated software and
rateofheatflow,understeadyconditionsthroughunitarea,per
unit temperature gradient in the direction perpendicular to the
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
area.
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
4. Significance and Use
Current edition approved May 1, 2007. Published June 2007. Originally
approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D3103 – 99. DOI:
4.1 This test method is intended for use for evaluating the
10.1520/D3103-07E01.
2
performance of thermal insulated packaging used for high-
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
value, high-risk materials. This test method may also be used
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
for any product that requires accurate internal package tem-
the ASTM website.
3
peraturereadingswhilebeingexposedtoarangeofexternalair
Available from International SafeTransitAssociation (ISTA), 1400Abbott Rd.,
Suite 160, East Lansing, MI 48823–1900, http://www.ista.org. temperatures.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
´1
D3103 − 07
4.2 Certain items, such as biological materials, pharmaceu- performing temperature profiles (for example, multiple tem-
ticals, diagnostics, and blood products, must be shipped inside perature changes over time). However, the temperat
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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.
´1
Designation:D3103–99 Designation:D3103–07
Standard Test Method for
Thermal Insulation Quality of PackagesThermal Insulation
1
Performance of Distribution Packages
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3103; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
´ NOTE—Removed research report footnote from Section 11.2 editorially in September 2008.
1. Scope
1.1This test method covers the determination of the thermal insulation quality of a package and its enclosed packaging from
temperature differentials between the packaged item and the outside environment. It is suitable for testing packages with and
without various internal refrigerants and with or without interior packaging. Representative test conditions covered are indicated
by Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Depending upon the type of insulation material used, a water-vaporproof barrier might be used just inside
the exterior packages of Fig. 1.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the thermal insulation quality of a package and the thermal stability of its
contents when exposed to variable ambient temperature conditions. It is suitable for testing packages with various internal energy
sources with or without product payloads.
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. Specific precautionary statements are given in 5.2.35.3 and 9.2.2.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
2
D4332Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing Practice for Conditioning
Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
2.2 Other Standards:
3
ISTA 5B Focused Simulation Guide for Thermal Performance Testing of Temperature Controlled Transport Packaging
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—General definitions for packaging and distribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 draft-free atmosphere—a relatively stationary atmosphere where the test specimens are remote from air currents. data
acquisition unit and associated system—single- or multi-channel recorder and its associated software and hardware utilizing
thermocouples and thermistor sensors traceable to NIST (National Institute for Standards and Technology) that collects and date
stamps time and temperature.
3.2.2 draft-free atmosphere—anatmospherewherethetestspecimensareisolatedfromdirectaircurrentswhilesurroundingair
temperature is maintained uniformly throughout the chamber.
3.2.3 eutectic system, n—a mixture or compound in which pure solid phases changes occur at a well-defined specific
temperature.
3.2.3exterior atmosphere—the atmosphere in contact or near the exterior surface of a package.
3.2.4 exterior package—the outermost container of a package. exterior atmosphere—the atmosphere surrounding the exterior
surface of a package.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D-10D10 on Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.23 on Natural Environment
Test Methods.
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1999.May 1, 2007. Published December 1999.June 2007. Originally published as D3103–72.approved in 1972. Last previous edition
approved in 1999 as D3103–929.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 15.09.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM Headquarters and may be obtained by requesting Research Report RR: D10–1012.
3
Available from International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), 1400 Abbott Rd., Suite 160, East Lansing, MI 48823–1900, http://www.ista.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
´1
D3103–07
3.2.5 interior atmosphere—the atmosphere in contact or near the packaged item.
3.2.6 interior package—a package (often of corrugated fiberboard) located with
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.