ASTM C224-78(2020)

Standard Practice for Sampling Glass Containers

ABSTRACT
This practice covers the standard for sampling of glass bottles, jars, and other containers intended for use in testing mechanical strength, dimensions, and other measurable characteristics. Sampling from a continuous manufacturing process shall be in accordance with a time schedule. When testing for annealing affected characteristics, samples shall be taken from the exit of the lehr (or from packed cases whose continuity in point of time is known). For characteristics not affected by the degree of annealing, quickly cooled samples may be taken ahead of the lehr. Sample may come from the lot as a whole or it may be necessary to sort the lot before sampling. Sorting may be based on style, color, size, manufacturer, or mold designation. Containers packed in cases shall be removed from the lot at random. The minimum number of cases to be selected shall be in accordance with the military standard prescribed herein.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the sampling of glass containers (for example, bottles, jars, and so forth) for performing such tests as mechanical strength, dimensions, and other measurable characteristics, and for visual examination.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.3 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: 31-Jul-2020
• ICS: 55.100 - Bottles. Pots. Jars
• Technical Committee: C14 - Glass and Glass Products
• Drafting Committee: C14.07 - Glass Containers

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C224-78(2014) - Standard Practice for Sampling Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2020
• Refers: ASTM C147-86(2015) - Standard Test Methods for Internal Pressure Strength of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2015
• Refers: ASTM C149-14 - Standard Test Method for Thermal Shock Resistance of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM C149-86(2010) - Standard Test Method for Thermal Shock Resistance of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2010
• Refers: ASTM C147-86(2010) - Standard Test Methods for Internal Pressure Strength of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2010
• Refers: ASTM C149-86(2005) - Standard Test Method for Thermal Shock Resistance of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2005
• Refers: ASTM C149-86(2000) - Standard Test Method for Thermal Shock Resistance of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2000
• Refers: ASTM C147-86(1995) - Standard Test Methods for Internal Pressure Strength of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2000
• Refers: ASTM C147-86(2000) - Standard Test Methods for Internal Pressure Strength of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2000
• Refers: ASTM C149-86(1995) - Standard Test Method for Thermal Shock Resistance of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2000
• Refers: ASTM C147-86(2005) - Standard Test Methods for Internal Pressure Strength of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-May-1991
• Referred By: ASTM C147-86(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Internal Pressure Strength of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2020
• Referred By: ASTM C148-17(2022) - Standard Test Methods for Polariscopic Examination of Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2020
• Referred By: ASTM C735-04(2019) - Standard Test Method for Acid Resistance of Ceramic Decorations on Returnable Beer and Beverage Glass Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2020
• Referred By: ASTM F2179-20 - Standard Specification for Annealed Soda-Lime-Silicate Glass Containers That Are Produced for Use as Candle Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2020

Overview

ASTM C224-78(2020): Standard Practice for Sampling Glass Containers provides a comprehensive guideline for selecting glass bottles, jars, and other containers for quality testing. This international standard ensures that representative samples are taken from production batches for evaluating mechanical strength, dimensions, annealing, visual characteristics, and other measurable properties. Developed in alignment with WTO principles for international standards, its methods support both continuous manufacturing processes and defined lots.

Key Topics

• Sampling Procedures
  The standard details sampling methods for both continuous glass container manufacturing and batch lots. Key considerations include:

  • Sampling at scheduled intervals
  • Selection at the exit of the lehr for annealing-specific tests
  • Random removal from packed cases with documented production continuity

• Classifications of Characteristics

  • Grade of annealing (residual stress evaluation)
  • Hydrostatic pressure resistance
  • Thermal shock strength
  • Visually graded characteristics (such as deformities)
  • Mold-related dimensional features (e.g., capacity, shape, size)

• Sample Size and Selection

  • Sample quantities and intervals are determined based on the characteristic tested and the total size of the batch or manufacturing run
  • Minimum sample numbers and case quantities are guided by referenced military standards (MIL-STD-105E)
  • Emphasis on random selection to maintain sample integrity and representativeness

• Reporting Requirements

  • Clear documentation of lot characteristics, sampling methods, observations, results, and identification of the sampled containers.

Applications

The ASTM C224-78(2020) standard is widely used by:

• Glass container manufacturers ensuring product consistency, mechanical strength, and compliance with quality regulations
• Quality control and testing laboratories conducting routine examinations of glass packaging
• Procurement and quality assurance teams evaluating shipments and establishing supplier agreements based on tested sample results
• Regulatory bodies assessing industry compliance for safety standards in glass packaging, especially for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical markets
• Research and development teams validating new glass container designs for durability and manufacturability

Practical examples include:

• Routine mechanical strength testing of bottles before market release
• Dimensional conformity checks for jars in continuous production
• Visual inspection and sorting based on mold, color, or size criteria
• Establishing statistically valid sample lots during incoming goods inspections

Related Standards

To ensure comprehensive quality control and proper sampling of glass containers, users of ASTM C224-78(2020) may also reference:

• ASTM C147: Test Methods for Internal Pressure Strength of Glass Containers
• ASTM C149: Test Method for Thermal Shock Resistance of Glass Containers
• MIL-STD-105E: Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes

These related standards provide detailed testing methodologies and guidelines for assessing specific glass container properties, supporting overall quality assurance and regulatory compliance.

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Keywords:
glass containers, glass bottle sampling, ASTM C224, glass jar quality control, glass container mechanical strength, sampling procedures, quality assurance, packaging standards, visual inspection, container dimensions

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: C224 − 78 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Practice for
Sampling Glass Containers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C224; 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 3.1.3 Thermal shock strength.
3.1.4 Visible characteristics readily graded or judged by
1.1 This practice covers the sampling of glass containers
visual examination, namely, deformities.
(for example, bottles, jars, and so forth) for performing such
3.1.5 Mold characteristics of a structural character (as
tests as mechanical strength, dimensions, and other measurable
distinguished from appearance) where the component part or
characteristics, and for visual examination.
unit of the manufacturing process that controls the character-
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
istic is the mold or mold cavity (as distinguished from the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
furnace, feeder, or lehr), namely, capacity, dimensions.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4. Number of Specimens
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 Unless otherwise specified, the minimum number of
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
specimens for the various classifications of Section 3 is given
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
in Table 1.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5. Procedure
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.1 Continuous Process—Sampling from a continuous
manufacturing process shall be in accordance with a time
2. Referenced Documents
schedule. For those characteristics affected by the degree of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
annealing, take the samples from the exit of the lehr (or from
C147 Test Methods for Internal Pressure Strength of Glass
packed cases whose continuity in point of time is known). For
Containers
those characteristics not affected by the degree of annealing,
C149 Test Method for Thermal Shock Resistance of Glass
quickly cooled samples may be taken ahead of the lehr.
Containers
5.2 Lot—Select the sample from a lot by a procedure
2.2 Military Standard:
consistent with the purpose of the sample. For some purposes,
MIL-STD-105E Sampling Procedures and Tables for In-
the sample may come from the lot as a whole; for other
spection by Attributes
purposes, it may be necessary to sort the lot before sampling.
Such sorting may be for the purpose of segregating lots based
3. Classification
on style, color, size, manufacturer, or mold designation, as
3.1 For sampling purposes the pertinent characteristics of
examples. Take the specimens composing the sample accord-
glass containers are classified as follows:
ing to the principles of random sampling; for instance, do not
3.1.1 Grade of annealing (relative annealing stress).
take all the specimens from the same side or location of the lot.
3.1.2 Hydrostatic pressure.
Ifthecontainersarepackedincases,removethecasesfromthe
lot at random. Take specimens for evaluation, in turn, at
random from these cases. The minimum number of cases to be
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C14 on Glass and
selected shall be determined in accordance with MIL-STD-
Glass Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C14.07 on Glass
Containers. 105E(see5.2.1)orthatnumberrequiredtoprovide the number
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2020. Published August 2020. Originally
of individual containers to be evaluated (see 5.2.2), whichever
approved in 1953. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as C224 – 78 (2014).
quantityrepresentsthelargernumberofcases.Ifmorethanone
DOI: 10.1520/C0224-78R20.
independent evaluation can be performed on the same
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
container, no additional sample is required for the multiple
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
evaluation.
the ASTM website.
5.2.1 Minimum Number of Cases Determined in Accor-
Available from DLA Document Services, Building 4/D, 700 Robbins Ave.,
Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, http://quicksearch.dla.mil. dance With MIL-STD—Determine the number of cases in the
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C224 − 78 (2020)
TABLE 1 Minimum Number of Specimens for Sample
Classification Continuous Production (Lehr) Lot, Minimum Number
(Test or Examination to be Made on Specimen) of Containers
Minimum Number Time Schedule
A
Annealing 3 3 h or less 20
B C
Internal Pressure 1 round 3 h or less 50
B D C
Thermal Shock 1 round variable 50
E EF
Visible Characteristics not applicable not applicable
G H
Dimensional Characteristics 1 round variable 50
A
The three containers shall represent both sides and center of lehr.
B
A “round” is one container from each mold or mold cavity of the forming machine. Test to be made on pieces that have passed visual inspection.
C
Forapasste
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