ASTM D5571-16

Standard Test Method for Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) of Plastic Tighthead Drums Not Exceeding 60 Gal (227 L) in Rated Capacity

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 These procedures provide an indication of the environmental stress-crack resistance of plastic tighthead drums. This test method may be used for determining the applicability of various plastic resins, mold designs, processing techniques and parameters for plastic tighthead drums.  
5.2 Environmental stress cracking is indicative of what results when a container is exposed to chemical agents such as soaps, organics, bleaches, or any surface active solutions while under conditions of stress.  
5.3 Environmental stress cracking is a mechanism of chemical attack that is highly dependent upon the test reagent, resin, container manufacturing or processing history, exposure temperature, applied stress and other factors. The combination of these factors may result in eventual stress crack failure.  
5.4 Both procedures minimize the potential for test variability by providing the user with rigidly defined test conditions. This test method may be used as design qualification and auditing tools for plastic tighthead drums.  
5.5 This test method is not meant to provide a quantitative value of measurement (that is, number of days to failure). It is intended only as a pass/fail procedure in accordance with user's specifications, or as agreed upon between the user and supplier. It is not intended as a predictor or indicator of field performance regarding time to failure.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method provides an indication of the environmental stress crack resistance of plastic tighthead drums as a summation of the effects of container design, resin, manufacturing conditions, field performance, and other factors.  
1.2 This test method may be used to evaluate a plastic drum's resistance to failure by cracking when in the presence of chemical and physical stresses.  
1.3 Two procedures are provided as follows:  
1.3.1 Procedure A—Internal pressure stress crack resistance method to nonyl phenoxypoly (ethyleneoxy) ethanol solution, a stress cracking reagent. The internal pressure is controlled at a constant elevated pressure and temperature.  
1.3.2 Procedure B—Top-load stress crack resistance method to nonyl phenoxypoly ethanol, a stress cracking reagent. The compressive top load is controlled at a constant weight while maintaining an elevated temperature.  
1.4 Although these procedures are not designed to test the ability of the closure or closure gasket material to retain the test reagent, the inclusion of closure failure as a container failure mode is optional. However, leakage through a closure may affect the internal pressure that could affect the test results.  
1.5 This test method does not attempt to address all factors that could lead to stress cracking of plastic drums. The user of this standard may use other test parameters, such as top loads, chemical reagents, etc., as agreed upon between the user and supplier in the event of a drum qualification or purchase agreement.  
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.7 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 warning statements are given in 6.2.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2016
• ICS: 55.140 - Barrels. Drums. Canisters
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.21 - Shipping Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods

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: D5571 − 16
Standard Test Method for
Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) of Plastic
Tighthead Drums Not Exceeding 60 Gal (227 L) in Rated
1
Capacity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5571; 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 responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This test method provides an indication of the environ-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific warning
mental stress crack resistance of plastic tighthead drums as a
statements are given in 6.2.
summation of the effects of container design, resin, manufac-
turing conditions, field performance, and other factors.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 This test method may be used to evaluate a plastic
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
drum’s resistance to failure by cracking when in the presence
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
of chemical and physical stresses.
ments
1.3 Two procedures are provided as follows:
D4577 Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Con-
1.3.1 Procedure A—Internal pressure stress crack resistance
tainer Under Constant Load
method to nonyl phenoxypoly (ethyleneoxy) ethanol solution,
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,With
a stress cracking reagent. The internal pressure is controlled at
Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a
a constant elevated pressure and temperature.
Lot or Process
1.3.2 Procedure B—Top-load stress crack resistance method
to nonyl phenoxypoly ethanol, a stress cracking reagent. The
3. Terminology
compressive top load is controlled at a constant weight while
3.1 Definitions—Reference Terminology D996 for defini-
maintaining an elevated temperature.
tions of terms applicable to this test method.
1.4 Although these procedures are not designed to test the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
abilityoftheclosureorclosuregasketmaterialtoretainthetest
3.2.1 environmental stress crack—a crack that develops
reagent, the inclusion of closure failure as a container failure
when a plastic drum is exposed to chemical and physical
mode is optional. However, leakage through a closure may
stresses.
affect the internal pressure that could affect the test results.
3.2.2 plastic tighthead drum—A non-removable head plas-
1.5 This test method does not attempt to address all factors
tic drum, maximum capacity not exceeding 60 gal (227 L),
that could lead to stress cracking of plastic drums. The user of
with openings for filling and emptying not exceeding 2.76 in.
this standard may use other test parameters, such as top loads,
(70 mm) in diameter.
chemical reagents, etc., as agreed upon between the user and
3.2.3 stress crack failure—any environmental stress crack
supplier in the event of a drum qualification or purchase
that penetrates through the thickness of the drum resulting in a
agreement.
loss or leakage of the test reagent shall be interpreted as a
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
failure.
as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for
information only.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 Procedure A—Exposes a minimum of three partly filled
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
plastic drums to the action of a stress cracking reagent, within
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
2
Containers and Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2016.PublishedJuly2016.Originallyapproved contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D5571–94 (2010). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D5571-16. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5571 − 16
the container, at an elevated internal pressure and elevated
temperature. The test duration shall be 14 days, or as specified
by the user.
4.2 Procedure B—Exposes a minimum of three plastic
drums to a mechanical top load at elevated temperatures. The
drums are filled to rated capacity with a stress cracking reagent
and sealed prior to the load being applied. The
...

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: D5571 − 94 (Reapproved 2010) D5571 − 16
Standard Test Method for
Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) of Plastic
Tighthead Drums Not Exceeding 60 Gal (227 L) in Rated
1
Capacity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5571; 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 provides an indication of the environmental stress crack resistance of plastic tighthead drums as a
summation of the effects of container design, resin, manufacturing conditions, field performance, and other factors.
1.2 This test method may be used to evaluate a plastic drum’s resistance to failure by cracking when in the presence of chemical
and physical stresses.
1.3 Two procedures are provided as follows:
1.3.1 Procedure A—Internal pressure stress crack resistance method to nonyl phenoxypoly (ethyleneoxy) ethanol solution, a
stress cracking reagent. The internal pressure is controlled at a constant elevated pressure and temperature.
1.3.2 Procedure B—Top-load stress crack resistance method to nonyl phenoxypoly ethanol, a stress cracking reagent. The
compressive top load is controlled at a constant weight while maintaining an elevated temperature.
1.4 Although these procedures are not designed to test the ability of the closure or closure gasket material to retain the test
reagent, the inclusion of closure failure as a container failure mode is optional. However, leakage through a closure may affect the
internal pressure that could affect the test results.
1.5 This test method does not attempt to address all factors that could lead to stress cracking of plastic drums. The user of this
standard may use other test parameters, such as top loads, chemical reagents, etc., as agreed upon between the user and supplier
in the event of a drum qualification or purchase agreement.
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for
information only.
1.7 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 warning statements are given in 6.2.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D4577 Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant Load
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or
Process
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Reference Terminology D996 for definitions of terms applicable to this test method.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 environmental stress crack—a crack that develops when a plastic drum is exposed to chemical and physical stresses.
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, 2010June 1, 2016. Published May 2010July 2016. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20052010 as
D5571–94 (2005).(2010). DOI: 10.1520/D5571-94R10.10.1520/D5571-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5571 − 16
3.2.2 plastic tighthead drum—A non-removable head plastic drum, maximum capacity not exceeding 60 gal (227 L), with
openings for filling and emptying not exceeding 2.76 in. (70 mm) in diameter.
3.2.3 stress crack failure—any environmental stress crack that penetrates through the thickness of the drum resulting in a loss
or leakage of the test reagent shall be interpreted as a failure.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Procedure A—Exposes a minimum of three partly filled plastic drums to the action of a stress cracking reagent, wit
...