1、Designation: D4169 09Standard Practice forPerformance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4169; 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 evaluating
3、, 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 specifi
4、cationsor existing preshipment test procedures.1.2 Consider the use of Practice D7386 for testing ofpackages for single parcel shipments.1.3 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardousmaterials has not been determined.1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standar
5、d. 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 theresponsibility of the user of this stand
6、ard 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:2D642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resis-tance of Shipping Containers, Components, and UnitLoadsD880 Test Method for
7、Impact Testing for Shipping Con-tainers and SystemsD951 Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Con-tainers by Spray MethodD996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-mentsD999 Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Con-tainersD4003 Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Im
8、pactTest for Shipping Containers and SystemsD4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, orPackaging Components for TestingD4728 Test Method for Random Vibration Testing of Ship-ping ContainersD5265 Test Method for Bridge Impact TestingD5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers by
9、Free FallD5277 Test Method for Performing Programmed Horizon-tal Impacts Using an Inclined Impact TesterD5487 Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Contain-ers by Shock MachinesD6055 Test Methods for Mechanical Handling of UnitizedLoads and Large Shipping Cases and CratesD6179 Test Methods for Ro
10、ugh Handling of Unitized Loadsand Large Shipping Cases and CratesD6344 Test Method for Concentrated Impacts to TransportPackagesD6653 Test Methods for Determining the Effects of HighAltitude on Packaging Systems by Vacuum MethodD7386 Practice for Performance Testing of Packages forSingle Parcel Deli
11、very SystemsF1327 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 the packaging anddistribution environments a
12、re found in Terminology D996.3.2 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 7.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaginga
13、nd is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping Containers andSystems - Application of Performance Test Methods.Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2009. Published November 2009. Originallyapproved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D4169 08. DOI:10.1520/D4169-09.2For
14、 referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard
15、 is referencedon www.astm.org.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 19428-2959, United States.3.2.2 assurance levelthe
16、 level of test intensity based onits probability of occurring in 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
17、II is between these extremes. For Distribu-tion Cycle 18 (DC18), 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
18、to simulate the hazard elementsexpected to occur for a specific 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 c
19、ycle that may pose a hazard to a shipping unit.The element will 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 u
20、nitfor DC-18, a small shippingunit is defined as one having no edge 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
21、 a gross weight in excess of 100lb (45 kg), or it is one that has 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 o
22、f a shipping unit. Included will be the testintensity and number 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
23、 purpose of the schedule is tosimulate the forces occurring during 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.
24、3.3.4 CLcarload.3.3.5 LTLless than truckload.4. Significance and 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 levels
25、are based on available information on the shipping andhandling environment, 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
26、 tested remain unopened until the sequence of tests arecompleted. 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 contai
27、ner performance.4.2 For Distribution Cycle 18, as referred to in 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 blemis
28、hes or minor defects may be used if the defectivecomponent is not 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 fragilityle
29、vel of the actual product has been exceeded. Take care toduplicate 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
30、site. If any doubt existsas to the condition of the package, repack 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-me
31、nded to improve the reliability of the test results.6. Conditioning6.1 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 n
32、oted thatdifferent atmospheric conditions are likely to exist between 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
33、 to a standard atmosphere of 73.4 6 2F (23 61C) and 50 6 2 % relative humidity. Condition fiberboardcontainers in accordance with Practice D4332. The sameatmospheric condition should be used for any assurance level.A conditioning period of 72 h, or sufficient time to reachequilibrium of all parts of
34、 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 as5The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end ofthis practi
35、ce.D4169 092TABLE 1 Distribution CyclesPerformance Test Schedule Sequence(see Section 9 for Test Schedule definition)DC Distribution Cycle First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh1 General Cycleundefined distributionsystemScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule FLoose-LoadVibration
36、Schedule GRailSwitchingSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule 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 Vehic
37、leStacking plusSchedule E VehicleVibrationSchedule FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandlingManual.4 Single package with pallet or skid,LTL motor freightScheduleAHandlingMechanicalSchedule D StackedVibration ORSchedule C VehicleStacking plusSchedule E VehicleVibrationSchedul
38、e FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandlingMechanical.5 Motor freight, TL, not unitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule EVehicleVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandling.6 Motor freight, TL, or LTLunitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedule D Stacke
39、dVibration ORSchedule C VehicleStacking plusSchedule E VehicleVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandlingSchedule BWarehouseStacking.7 Rail only, bulk loaded ScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule GRailSwitchingSchedule AHandling. .8 Rail only, unitized ScheduleAHandlingSch
40、edule D StackedVibrationSchedule GRailSwitchingSchedule AHandlingSchedule BWarehouseStacking.9 Rail and motor freight, not unitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedule C VehicleStackingSchedule EVehicleVibrationSchedule GRailSwitchingSchedule FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandling1
41、0 Rail and motor freight, unitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule GRailSwitchingSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandlingSchedule BWarehouseStacking11 Rail, TOFC and COFC ScheduleAHandlingSchedule G RailSwitchingSchedule DStackedVibrationSchedule FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedu
42、le AHandling.12 Air (intercity) and motor freight (local),over 150 lb (68.1 kg), or unitizedScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule ILowPressureASchedule EVehicleVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandling13 Air (intercity) and motor freight (local,single package up to 150 l
43、b (61.8 kg).Consider using Practice D7386for single parcel carrier shipments.ScheduleAHandlingSchedule C VehicleStackingSchedule FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule ILowPressureASchedule EVehicleVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandling14 Warehousing (partial cycle to be added toother cycles
44、as needed)ScheduleAHandlingSchedule BWarehouse Stacking. . . .15 Export/Import shipment for intermodalcontainer or roll on/roll off trailer (partialcycle to be added to other cycles asneeded)ScheduleAHandlingSchedule C VehicleStackingSchedule AHandling. . .D4169 093practicable. Recondition the shipp
45、ing 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 D4332, or Test Method D951, or others(salt, spray, water immersion, humidity, or te
46、mperature). Thesame climatic condition should be used for any assurance level.A conditioning period should be provided which will allowsufficient time to reach equilibrium of all parts of the packageand product. Tests should be conducted in the conditionedatmosphere whenever possible. If not possibl
47、e, conduct thetests as soon after removal from the conditioning atmosphereas practicable. Recondition the shipping units as necessaryduring the test plan. For atmospheres other than the standardconditioning atmosphere, the user must determine the appro-priate compressive load factor for warehouse an
48、d 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 organizations conducting the test may choo
49、se 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 contentsare suitable for normal sale and use at
