ASTM D4991-07(2015)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Leakage Testing of Empty Rigid Containers by Vacuum Method
Standard Test Method for Leakage Testing of Empty Rigid Containers by Vacuum Method
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Containers may be pressurized in accordance with this test method without modification to the closure or to the body of the container. This test method may be used for testing rigid containers intended for the transportation of some liquids by air in accordance with the ICAO TIs or in accordance with the UN TDG.
5.2 This test method establishes the point at which leakage commences, with a limit of approximately 95-kPa (13.8-psi) differential. See Test Method D3078 for flexible packages.
5.3 This test method may not be suitable for some packages, such as packages with paper cap seals, where the test fluid may rapidly deteriorate the packaging.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the testing of empty containers for resistance to leakage under differential pressure conditions such as those which can occur during air transport. It is suitable for testing rigid containers intended for the transportation of some hazardous liquids in accordance with the United Nations Recommendations On The Transport Of Dangerous Goods (UN TDG) and the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions For The Safe Transport Of Dangerous Goods By Air (ICAO TIs).
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.
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Designation: D4991 − 07 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Test Method for
Leakage Testing of Empty Rigid Containers by Vacuum
1
Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4991; 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. Terminology
3.1 Definitions: Terms and definitions used in this test
1.1 This test method covers the testing of empty containers
method may be found in Terminology D996.
for resistance to leakage under differential pressure conditions
such as those which can occur during air transport. It is suitable
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
for testing rigid containers intended for the transportation of
3.2.1 rigid container—a container sufficiently rigid that
some hazardous liquids in accordance with the United Nations
under a positive pressure of 100-kPa gage the volumetric
Recommendations On The Transport Of Dangerous Goods
expansion does not exceed 0.5 %, such as a glass bottle.
(UN TDG) and the International Civil Aviation Organization
4. Summary of Test Method
Technical Instructions For The Safe Transport Of Dangerous
Goods By Air (ICAO TIs).
4.1 An empty rigid container to be tested is pressurized by
immersion in an ethylene glycol-water solution in a transparent
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
test chamber and subjected to a gradually increasing partial
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
vacuum. The container is observed for signs of leakage, as
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
evidenced by escaping air bubbles during depressurization or
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
fluid in the container after re-pressurization.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 Containers may be pressurized in accordance with this
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
test method without modification to the closure or to the body
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
of the container. This test method may be used for testing rigid
ments
containers intended for the transportation of some liquids by air
D3078 Test Method for Determination of Leaks in Flexible
in accordance with the ICAO TIs or in accordance with the UN
Packaging by Bubble Emission
TDG.
2.2 United Nations Document:
5.2 This test method establishes the point at which leakage
ST/SG/AC.10/1 Recommendations On The Transport Of
commences, with a limit of approximately 95-kPa (13.8-psi)
3
Dangerous Goods
differential. See Test Method D3078 for flexible packages.
2.3 International Civil Aviation Organization:
5.3 This test method may not be suitable for some packages,
DOC 9284-AN/905 Technical Instructions For The Safe
such as packages with paper cap seals, where the test fluid may
4
Transport Of Dangerous Goods By Air
rapidly deteriorate the packaging.
6. Apparatus
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on 6.1 Transparent Vessel, large enough to permit the test
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping
specimen(s) to be immersed in the test fluid with a minimum
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
1
headspace of 20 %, capable of withstanding at least 1 ⁄2-atm
Current edition approved May 1, 2015. Published July 2015. Originally approved
pressure differential, fitted with a flat vacuum-tight cover is
in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D4991 – 07. DOI: 10.1520/
D4991-07R15.
required.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
6.2 Vacuum Gage, Inlet Tube from a Source of Vacuum, and
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Outlet Tube to the Atmosphere, shall be sealed into the cover.
the ASTM website.
The inlet and outlet tubes shall be equipped with handoperated
3
Available from United Nations Sales Section, United Nations, New York, NY
valves. The vacuum gage shall be laboratory quality with a
10017.
4
Available from Intereg Group, Inc., 5724 N. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60646. full-scale range from 0 to 100 kPa (0 to 14.5 psi) with
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4991 − 07 (2015)
minimum graduations no greater than 2 kPa (0.3 psi) and 8.2 Prior to testing, draw a vacuum to at least 95-kPa
accuracy to within 1 %. A suitable moisture trap, to p
...
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: D4991 − 07 D4991 − 07 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Test Method for
Leakage Testing of Empty Rigid Containers by Vacuum
1
Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4991; 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 test method covers the testing of empty containers for resistance to leakage under differential pressure conditions such
as those which can occur during air transport. It is suitable for testing rigid containers intended for the transportation of some
hazardous liquids in accordance with the United Nations Recommendations On The Transport Of Dangerous Goods (UN TDG)
and the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions For The Safe Transport Of Dangerous Goods By Air
(ICAO TIs).
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D3078 Test Method for Determination of Leaks in Flexible Packaging by Bubble Emission
2.2 United Nations Document:
3
ST/SG/AC.10/1 Recommendations On The Transport Of Dangerous Goods
2.3 International Civil Aviation Organization:
4
DOC 9284-AN/905 Technical Instructions For The Safe Transport Of Dangerous Goods By Air
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions: Terms and definitions used in this test method may be found in Terminology D996.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 rigid container—a container sufficiently rigid that under a positive pressure of 100-kPa gage the volumetric expansion
does not exceed 0.5 %, such as a glass bottle.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 An empty rigid container to be tested is pressurized by immersion in an ethylene glycol-water solution in a transparent test
chamber and subjected to a gradually increasing partial vacuum. The container is observed for signs of leakage, as evidenced by
escaping air bubbles during depressurization or fluid in the container after re-pressurization.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Containers may be pressurized in accordance with this test method without modification to the closure or to the body of the
container. This test method may be used for testing rigid containers intended for the transportation of some liquids by air in
accordance with the ICAO TIs or in accordance with the UN TDG.
1
This test method 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 April 1, 2007May 1, 2015. Published April 2007July 2015. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 19992007 as
D4991 – 94D4991 – 07. (1999). DOI: 10.1520/D4991-07.10.1520/D4991-07R15.
2
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 Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from United Nations Sales Section, United Nations, New York, NY 10017.
4
Available from Intereg Group, Inc., 5724 N. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60646.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4991 − 07 (2015)
5.2 This test method establishes the point at which leakage commences, with a limit of approximately 95-kPa (13.8-psi)
differential. See Test Method D3078 for flexible packages.
5.3 This test method may not be suitable for some packages, such as packages with paper cap seals, where the test fluid may
rapidly deteriorate the packaging.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Transparent Vessel, large enough to permit the test specimen(s) to be immersed in the test fluid with a minimum headspace
1
of 20 %, capable of withstanding at least 1 ⁄2-atm pressure differential, fitted with a flat vacuum-tight cover is required.
6.2 Vacuum Gage, Inlet Tube from a Source of Vacuum, and Outlet Tube to the Atmosphere, shall be sealed into the cover. The
inlet a
...
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