1、Designation: D 4169 08Standard Practice forPerformance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4169; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision
2、. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.1. Scope1.1 This practice provides a uniform basis of evaluati
3、ng, ina laboratory, the ability of shipping units to withstand thedistribution environment. This is accomplished by subjectingthem to a test plan consisting of a sequence of anticipatedhazard elements encountered in various distribution cycles.This practice is not intended to supplant material speci
4、ficationsor existing preshipment test procedures.1.2 This practice does not include performance testing ofpackages for single parcel shipments (see Practice D 7386).1.3 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardousmaterials has not been determined.1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units
5、are to be regardedas standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibili
6、ty of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D 642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resis-tance of Shipping Containers, Components, and U
7、nitLoadsD 880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Con-tainers and SystemsD 951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Con-tainers by Spray MethodD 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-mentsD 999 Test Methods for Vibration Testing of ShippingContainersD 4003 Test Method
8、s for Programmable Horizontal ImpactTest for Shipping Containers and SystemsD 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, orPackaging Components for TestingD 4728 Test Method for Random Vibration Testing ofShipping ContainersD 5265 Test Method for Bridge Impact TestingD 5276 Test Method for
9、 Drop Test of Loaded Containers byFree FallD 5277 Test Method for Performing Programmed Horizon-tal Impacts Using an Inclined Impact TesterD 5487 Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Con-tainers by Shock MachinesD 6055 Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of UnitizedLoads and Large Shipping Case
10、s and CratesD 6179 Test Methods for Rough Handling of UnitizedLoads and Large Shipping Cases and CratesD 6344 Test Method for Concentrated Impacts to TransportPackagesD 6653 Test Methods for Determining the Effects of HighAltitude on Packaging Systems by Vacuum MethodD 7386 Practice for Performance
11、Testing of Packages forSingle Parcel Delivery SystemsF 1327 Terminology Relating to Barrier Materials for Medi-cal Packaging32.2 Military Standards:4MIL-STD-810F Environmental Test MethodsMIL-STD-20731 DOD Standard Practice for MilitaryPackaging3. Terminology3.1 DefinitionsGeneral definitions for th
12、e packaging anddistribution environments are found in Terminology D 996.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packagingand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping Containers andSystems - Application of Performance Test Methods.Current edition appro
13、ved Aug. 1, 2008. Published August 2008. Originallyapproved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D 4169 05.2For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refe
14、r to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Withdrawn.4Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-295
15、9, United States.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 acceptance criteriathe acceptable quality level thatmust be met after the shipping unit has been subjected to thetest plan. See Section 7.3.2.2 assurance levelthe level of test intensity based onits probability of occurring in
16、 a typical distribution cycle.3.2.2.1 DiscussionLevel I is a high level of test intensityand has a low probability of occurrence. Level III is a low levelof test intensity, but has a correspondingly high probability ofoccurrence. Level II is between these extremes. For Distribu-tion Cycle 18 (DC18),
17、 see MIL-STD-20731 for definitionsof military levels of protection.3.2.3 coeffcient of restitutionthe ratio of the reboundvelocity to the impact velocity.3.2.4 distribution cycle (DC)the sequential listing of thetest schedules employed to simulate the hazard elementsexpected to occur for a specific
18、routing of a shipping unit fromproduction to consumption. See Table 1.3.2.5 feeder aircraftsmall, potentially non-pressurizedaircraft used to transport express packages.3.2.6 hazard elementa specific event that occurs in adistribution cycle that may pose a hazard to a shipping unit.The element will
19、usually be simulated by a single test schedule.See Section 9.3.2.7 shipping unitthe smallest complete unit that will besubjected to the distribution environment, for example, ashipping container and its contents.3.2.7.1 small shipping unitfor DC-18, a small shippingunit is defined as one having no e
20、dge dimension or diameterover 60 in. (1.52 m) and a gross weight of 100 lb (45 kg) orless.3.2.7.2 large shipping unitfor DC-18, a large shippingunit is defined as one having at least one edge dimension ordiameter over 60 in. (1.52 m) or a gross weight in excess of 100lb (45 kg), or it is one that ha
21、s a gross weight exceeding 100 lb(45 kg) and is secured to a base or to the base of a shippingunit.3.2.8 test plana specific listing of the test sequence to befollowed to simulate the hazards anticipated during the distri-bution cycle of a shipping unit. Included will be the testintensity and number
22、 of sequential tests to be conducted. See8.5.3.2.9 test schedulethe specific procedure to be used,including the three assurance level intensities, and a referenceto the test method that is the basis of the schedule.3.2.9.1 DiscussionThe purpose of the schedule is tosimulate the forces occurring duri
23、ng any hazard element of thedistribution cycle. See Section 9.3.2.10 total velocity change, (DV)the sum of the impactand rebound velocities.3.3 Abbreviations:3.3.1 TOFCtrailer on flatcar.3.3.2 COFCcontainer on flatcar.3.3.3 TLtruckload.3.3.4 CLcarload.3.3.5 LTLless than truckload.4. Significance and
24、 Use4.1 This practice provides a guide for the evaluation ofshipping units in accordance with a uniform system, usingestablished test methods at levels representative of thoseoccurring in actual distribution. The recommended test levelsare based on available information on the shipping andhandling e
25、nvironment, and current industry/government prac-tice and experience (1-13).5The tests should be performedsequentially on the same containers in the order given. For useas a performance test, this practice requires that the shippingunit tested remain unopened until the sequence of tests arecompleted
26、. If used for other purposes, such as packagedevelopment, it may be useful to open and inspect shippingunits at various times throughout the sequence. This may,however, prohibit evaluating the influence of the containerclosure on container performance.4.2 For Distribution Cycle 18, as referred to in
27、 MIL-STD-20731, the use of this practice is defined in subsequentsections identified as DC-18.5. Test Specimen5.1 Test specimens consist of representative samples ofcomplete shipping units, including actual contents. Productswith blemishes or minor defects may be used if the defectivecomponent is no
28、t to be studied by the test and if the defect isdocumented in the report. Dummy test loads are acceptable iftesting the actual product might be hazardous. If a dummy loadis used, it should be instrumented to determine if the fragilitylevel of the actual product has been exceeded. Take care toduplica
29、te the load characteristics of the actual product, andavoid unnecessary prehandling.5.2 Care must be taken to ensure that no degradation hasoccurred to either the product or the package if the testpackages have been shipped to the test site. If any doubt existsas to the condition of the package, rep
30、ack the product in newpackaging material before testing.5.3 The number of test replications depends on the desiredobjectives of the testing and the availability of duplicateproducts and shipping containers. Replicate testing is recom-mended to improve the reliability of the test results.6. Condition
31、ing6.1 If the distribution cycle contains climatic conditions thathave an effect on the performance characteristics of theproduct, shipping container, or components such as cushioning,use one of the following procedures. (It should be noted thatdifferent atmospheric conditions are likely to exist be
32、tween theorigin and destination points of a distribution cycle, particu-larly for export/import cycles.)6.1.1 Conduct the test at standard conditions and compen-sate for the effects of any climatic condition. Condition theshipping units to a standard atmosphere of 73.4 6 2F (23 61C) and 50 6 2 % rel
33、ative humidity. Condition fiberboardcontainers in accordance with Practice D 4332. The sameatmospheric condition should be used for any assurance level.5The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end ofthis practice.D4169082TABLE 1 Distribution CyclesPerformance Test Sc
34、hedule Sequence(see Section 9 for Test Schedule definition)DC Distribution Cycle First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh1 General Cycleundefined distributionsystemScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule GRailSwitchingSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedul
35、e AHandling2 Specially defined distribution system,user specified (see Appendix X2)select from Schedules A through I3 Single package without pallet or skid,LTL motor freightScheduleAHandlingManualSchedule D StackedVibration ORSchedule C VehicleStacking plusSchedule E VehicleVibrationSchedule FLoose-
36、LoadVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandlingManual.4 Single package with pallet or skid,LTL motor freightScheduleAHandlingMechanicalSchedule D StackedVibration ORSchedule C VehicleStacking plusSchedule E VehicleVibrationSchedule FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule
37、 AHandlingMechanical.5 Motor freight, TL, not unitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule EVehicleVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandling.6 Motor freight, TL, or LTLunitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibration ORSchedule C VehicleStacking plusSchedule E Veh
38、icleVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandlingSchedule BWarehouseStacking.7 Rail only, bulk loaded ScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule GRailSwitchingSchedule AHandling. .8 Rail only, unitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule GRailSwitchingSchedule AH
39、andlingSchedule BWarehouseStacking.9 Rail and motor freight, not unitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedule C VehicleStackingSchedule EVehicleVibrationSchedule GRailSwitchingSchedule FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandling10 Rail and motor freight, unitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedu
40、le D StackedVibrationSchedule GRailSwitchingSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandlingSchedule BWarehouseStacking11 Rail, TOFC and COFC ScheduleAHandlingSchedule G RailSwitchingSchedule DStackedVibrationSchedule FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule AHandling.12 Air (intercity) and motor freight (local),
41、over 100 lb (45.4 kg), unitizedScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule ILowPressureASchedule EVehicleVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandling13 Air (intercity) and motor freight (local,single package up to 100 lb (45.4 kg)ScheduleAHandlingSchedule C VehicleStackingSchedul
42、e FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule ILowPressureASchedule EVehicleVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandling14 Warehousing (partial cycle to be added toother cycles as needed)ScheduleAHandlingSchedule BWarehouse Stacking. . . .15 Export/Import shipment for intermodalcontainer or roll on/roll
43、 off trailer (partialcycle to be added to other cycles asneeded)ScheduleAHandlingSchedule C VehicleStackingSchedule AHandling. . .16 Export/Import shipment for palletized cargoship (partial cycle to be added toother cycles as needed)ScheduleAHandlingSchedule C VehicleStackingSchedule AHandling. . .D
44、4169083A conditioning period of 72 h, or sufficient time to reachequilibrium of all parts of the package and product is recom-mended. Tests should be conducted in the conditioned atmo-sphere whenever possible. If not possible, conduct the tests assoon after removal from the conditioning atmosphere a
45、spracticable. Recondition the shipping units to the standardatmosphere as necessary during the test plan.6.1.2 In some circumstances, it may be necessary to conductsome or all of the tests at special climatic conditions, such asthose given in Practice D 4332, or Test Method D 951,orothers (salt, spr
46、ay, water immersion, humidity, or temperature).The same climatic condition should be used for any assurancelevel. A conditioning period should be provided which willallow sufficient time to reach equilibrium of all parts of thepackage and product. Tests should be conducted in the condi-tioned atmosp
47、here whenever possible. If not possible, conductthe tests as soon after removal from the conditioning atmo-sphere as practicable. Recondition the shipping units as nec-essary during the test plan. For atmospheres other than thestandard conditioning atmosphere, the user must determine theappropriate
48、compressive load factor for warehouse and vehiclestacking, as the factors given in 11.2 are based on testing underthe standard test atmosphere.7. Acceptance Criteria7.1 Acceptance criteria must be established prior to testingand should consider the required condition of the product atreceipt. The or
49、ganizations conducting the test may choose anyacceptance criteria suitable for their purpose. It is advisable tocompare the type and quantity of damage that occurred to thetest specimens with the damage that occurs during actualdistribution and handling or with test results of similar con-tainers whose shipping history is known.7.2 In many cases, the acceptance criteria can be thefollowing:Criterion 1Product is damage-free.Criterion 2Package is intact.Criterion 3Both criteria 1 and 2.Often, this means that the shipping container and its contentsar
