ASTM D642-00

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:D642–00
Standard Test Method for
Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping
Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 642; 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 (e) 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. Scope
1.1 This test method covers compression tests on shipping
containers (for example, boxes and drums) or components, or
both. Shipping containers may be tested with or without
contents. The procedure may be used for measuring the ability
of the container to resist external compressive loads applied to
itsfaces,todiagonallyoppositeedges,ortocorners(Fig.1and
Fig. 2). This test method covers testing of multiple containers
or unit loads, in addition to individual shipping containers,
components, materials, or combination thereof.
1.2 The test method of applying load may be used to
compare the characteristics of a given design of container with
a standard, or to compare the characteristics of containers
differing in construction.
1.3 This test method is related to TAPPI T804, which is
similar for fixed platen machines but does not recognize swivel
platen machines. This test method fulfills the requirements of
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Test
Method 12048. The ISO standards may not meet the require-
ments for this test method.
1.4 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 appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 644 Test Method for Moisture Content of Paper and
Paperboard by Oven Drying
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
ments
D 2016 Test Method for the Moisture Content of Wood
D 4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
FIG. 1 Compression Applied Diagonally Opposite Edges
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.22 on Handling
and Transportation.
tainers and Systems
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 2000. Published November 2000. Originally
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages or
published as D 642 – 41 T. Last previous edition D 642 – 94.
Packaging Components for Testing
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.10. D 4577 Test Method for Compression Resistance of a
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D642–00
NOTE 1—For constant load test refer to Test Method D 4577.
4.2 Compressive resistance may be determined with either
fixed- or swiveled-platen-type testing machines. However, a
fixed-head compression machine is required to perform edge-
to-edge and corner-to-corner orientations on test specimens
(see Note 2). Also, unit loads are generally tested only in the
top-to-bottom orientation.
NOTE 2—Fixed-platen machines generally cause specimens to fail at
theirstrongestpoint,whileswivel-platenmachinescausespecimenstofail
at their weakest point. The swiveled platen is allowed to move to the
weakest point of the container.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Compression Testing Machines:
5.1.1 Fixed-Platen Testing Machine—Two platens, flat to
within 0.01 in. (0.25 mm) for each 12 in. (304.8 mm) in length,
and one of which is movable in the vertical direction so as to
compress the container between the platens. One is the load
measuring platen, and both should be of sufficient size so that
the test container does not extend beyond the edges of the
FIG. 2 Compression Applied Top-to-Bottom
platens. Both platens are fixed in the horizontal directions so as
tohavenolateralmovementgreaterthan0.05in.(1.3mm),and
are held parallel throughout the test to within 0.04 in. (1 mm)
Container Under Constant Load
for each 12 in. (304.8 mm) in the length and width dimensions.
E 4 Practice for Load Verification of Testing Machines
5.1.2 Swivel-Platen Testing Machine—Two platens, flat to
E 122 Practice for Choice of Sample Size to Estimate a
within 0.01 in. (0.25 mm) for each 12 in. (304.8 mm) in length,
Measure of Average Quality for a Lot or Process
and one which is movable in the vertical direction so as to
2.2 TAPPI Standard:
compress the container between the platens. One is the
T 804 Compression testing of fiberboard shipping contain-
load-measuring platen, and both should be of sufficient size so
ers
that the test container does not extend beyond the edges of the
2.3 ISO Standard:
platens. One platen is fixed in the horizontal direction so as to
ISO 12048 Packaging—Complete, filled transport
have no lateral movement greater than 0.05 in. (1.3 mm). The
packages—Compression and stacking test using compres-
second platen is attached to the machine by a swivel or
sion tester
universal joint to a point directly centered on the platen,
allowing the platen to tilt freely.
3. Terminology
5.2 Suitable Closure Apparatus—See Appendix X1.
3.1 Definitions—General terms for Packaging and Distribu-
5.3 Conditioning Apparatus—Provide adequate facilities
tion Environments are found in Terminology D 996.
for conditioning test containers at proper relative humidity and
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
temperaturepriortotestinaccordancewiththerequirementsof
3.2.1 fixed platen testing machine—a testing machine
the specifications covering the containers to be tested. It is
equipped with two platens which are both restrained from
recommended that the atmospheres for conditioning be se-
tilting.
lected from those shown in Practice D 4332. Unless otherwise
3.2.2 swiveled platen testing machine—a testing machine
specified, fiberboard and other paperboard containers shall be
equipped with two platens, one rigidly restrained from tilting
preconditioned and conditioned in accordance with the stan-
while the other platen is universally mounted and allowed to
dard atmosphere specified in Practice D 4332.
tilt freely.
6. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
4. Significance and Use
6.1 Choose test specimens and sample quantities to provide
4.1 Compressive resistance is one of the properties used to
an adequate determination of representative performance. For
evaluate the ability of shipping containers, components, and
large production runs, lot sampling is advised. Application of
unit loads to successfully survive the compressive forces they
Practice E 122 is suggested.
are subjected to during storage and distribution (see Note 1).
6.2 Whenever sufficient containers and contents are avail-
able, it is recommended that five or more replicate tests be
conducted to improve the statistical reliability of the data
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01. obtained.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Available from the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry,
Technology Park, P.O. Box 105113, Atlanta, GA 30348. Singh, S. P., Burgess, G., Langlois, M., “Compression of Single-Wall Corru-
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th gated Shipping Containers Using Fixed and Floating Test Platens,” ASTM JOTE,
Floor, New York, NY 10036. July 1992.
D642–00
6.3 The specimens being tested shall be complete in all damage to equipment may occur if test specimens are placed
respects. Depending on the purpose of the test, interior off-center on the platen.
components may or may not be included. Tests shall be made
9.2 Bring the platens into contact with the specimen apply-
on specimens with or without contents as prescribed.
ing an initial pressure or pre-load.
6.4 The test specimen shall be closed and secured in the
9.2.1 For single-wall corrugated containers, an initial force
same manner as will be used in preparing them for shipment
orpre-loadof50lbf(222N)onthespecimenisrecommended.
unless otherwise specified. The method of flap securement for
For double-wall and triple-wall boxes, pre-loads of 100 lbf
corrugated containers may affect test results (see Appendix
(445 N) and 500 lbf (2220 N) respectively are recommended.
X1).
For other types of test specimens a suitable pre-load may or
may not be selected.
7. Calibration and Standardization
9.3 Fixed platen machines must be used for tests where the
7.1 The accuracy of the test equipment must be verified to
compressive loads are applied on test specimen edges, or on
ensure reliable test data.
diagonal corners (Fig. 1). Either fixed-platen or swivelplaten
7.1.1 The overall system accuracy of the recorded or indi-
machines may be used for face-to-face compressive tests (Fig.
cated applied load (force) shall be verified in accordance with
2).
Practice E 4. The verified loading range shall be specified, and
9.4 If the testing machine is not fitted with a load-
errors within the loading range shall not exceed 61.0 % of
deformation recorder, record the test load for every 0.1 in. (2.5
reading (as calculated in Practice E 4). If testing below the
mm)
...