1、Designation: D4169 14Standard 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 U.S. Department of Defense.1. Scope1.1 This practice provides a uniform basis of evalu
3、ating, 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 sp
4、ecificationsor 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 st
5、andard. 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
6、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:2D642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistanceof Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit LoadsD880 Test Method
7、for Impact Testing for Shipping Contain-ers 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 Horizonta
8、l ImpactTest 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 Container
9、s byFree FallD5277 Test Method for Performing Programmed HorizontalImpacts 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
10、Rough 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 De
11、livery SystemsF1327 Terminology Relating to Barrier Materials for Medi-cal Packaging (Withdrawn 2007)32.2 Military Standards:4MIL-STD-810F Environmental Test MethodsMIL-STD-20731 DOD Standard Practice for MilitaryPackaging2.3 Association of American Railroads Standards:5General Information Bulletin
12、No. 2 Rules and Proceduresfor Testing of New Loading and Bracing Methods orMaterials1This 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 e
13、dition approved Nov. 1, 2014. Published December 2014. Originallyapproved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D4169 09. DOI:10.1520/D4169-14.2For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For Annual Book of AST
14、MStandards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.4Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, At
15、tn: NPODS.5www.aar.orgCopyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States13. Terminology3.1 DefinitionsGeneral definitions for the packaging anddistribution environments are found in Terminology D996.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to T
16、his 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 on itsprobability of occurring in a typical distribution cycle.3.2.2.1 DiscussionLevel I
17、 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), see MIL-STD-20731 for definitionsof military levels of
18、 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 routing of a shipping unit fromproduction to consumptio
19、n. See Table 1.3.2.5 feeder aircraftsmall, potentially non-pressurized air-craft 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 usually be simulated by a single test schedule.See Se
20、ction 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 edge dimension or diameterover 60 in. (1.52 m) and a g
21、ross 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 has a gross weight exceeding 100 lb(45 kg) and is secur
22、ed 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 of sequential tests to be conducted. See8.5.3.2.9 te
23、st 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 to simu-late the forces occurring during any hazard element of thedistribution cycle. See
24、 Section 9.3.2.10 total velocity change, (V)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 Use4.1 This practice provides a guide for the evalu
25、ation 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 environment, and current industry/government prac-tic
26、e and experience (1-13).6The 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. If used for other purposes, such as packagedevelop
27、ment, 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 MIL-STD-20731, the use of this practice is defined
28、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 not to be studied by the test and if the defect isdocu
29、mented 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 toduplicate the load characteristics of the actual product, a
30、ndavoid 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, repack the product in newpackaging material before test
31、ing.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. Conditioning6.1 If the distribution cycle contains climatic c
32、onditions 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 between the6The boldface numbers in parentheses refer
33、to a list of references at the end ofthis practice.D4169 142TABLE 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
34、 D StackedVibrationSchedule FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule 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 freightScheduleAHandlingManu
35、alSchedule D StackedVibration ORSchedule C VehicleStacking plusSchedule E VehicleVibrationSchedule FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandlingManual.4 Single package with pallet or skid,LTL motor freightScheduleAHandlingMechanicalSchedule D StackedVibration ORSchedule C Vehicl
36、eStacking plusSchedule E VehicleVibrationSchedule FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandlingMechanical.5 Motor freight, TL, not unitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule EVehicleVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandling.6 Motor freight, TL, o
37、r LTLunitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibration ORSchedule C VehicleStacking plusSchedule E VehicleVibrationSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandlingSchedule BWarehouseStacking.7 Rail only, bulk loaded ScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule GRailSwitchingSchedule AHandl
38、ing. .8 Rail only, unitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule GRailSwitchingSchedule AHandlingSchedule BWarehouseStacking.9 Rail and motor freight, not unitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedule C VehicleStackingSchedule EVehicleVibrationSchedule GRailSwitchingSchedule FLoose-LoadVibratio
39、nSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandling10 Rail and motor freight, unitized ScheduleAHandlingSchedule D StackedVibrationSchedule GRailSwitchingSchedule JConcentratedImpactSchedule AHandlingSchedule BWarehouseStacking11 Rail, TOFC and COFC ScheduleAHandlingSchedule G RailSwitchingSchedule DSta
40、ckedVibrationSchedule FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule 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
41、 motor freight (local,single package up to 150 lb (61.8 kg).Consider using Practice D7386for single parcel carrier shipments.ScheduleA Han-dlingSchedule C VehicleStackingSchedule FLoose-LoadVibrationSchedule ILow Pres-sureASchedule EVehicle Vi-brationSchedule JConcen-trated Im-pactSchedule AHandling
42、14 Warehousing (partial cycle to be added toother cycles as needed)ScheduleA Han-dlingSchedule B Ware-house Stacking. . . .15 Export/Import shipment for intermodalcontainer or roll on/roll off trailer (partialcycle to be added to other cycles asneeded)ScheduleA Han-dlingSchedule C VehicleStackingSch
43、edule AHandling. . .16 Export/Import shipment for palletized cargoship (partial cycle to be added toother cycles as needed)ScheduleA Han-dlingSchedule C VehicleStackingSchedule AHandling. . .D4169 143origin and destination points of a distribution cycle, particu-larly for export/import cycles.)6.1.1
44、 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 % relative humidity. Condition fiberboardcontainers in accordance with Practice D4332. The sameatmospheric conditi
45、on should be used for any assurance level.A 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
46、 from the conditioning atmosphere aspracticable. 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 D4332, or Tes
47、t Method D951, or others(salt, spray, water immersion, humidity, or temperature). 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 co
48、nducted in the conditionedatmosphere whenever possible. If not possible, 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 mu
49、st determine the appro-priate 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 organizations 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 a
