ASTM D7860-14(2022)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D7860 − 14 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Methods for
Measurement of Torque Retention for Child Resistant and
Non-Child Resistant Packages with Continuous Thread
Closures Using Automated Torque Testing Equipment
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7860; 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 D3198 Test Method forApplication and Removal Torque of
Threaded or Lug-Style Closures (Withdrawn 2016)
1.1 These test methods evaluate the torque retention of
D3474 Practice for Calibration and Use of Torque Meters
continuous thread closures on containers with matching
Used in Packaging Applications
finishes, for predetermined environmental conditions over
D3475 Classification of Child-Resistant Packages
time. Methods are defined for both Type I, style “A” push
2 D4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
down and turn Type II child resistant and non child resistant
tainers and Systems
type closures.
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Packaging Components for Testing
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
D7386 Practice for Performance Testing of Packages for
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
Single Parcel Delivery Systems
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
with the standard.
NOTE 1—The SI unit system is the recommended system.
3. Terminology
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.1 For definitions of general packaging and distribution
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
terms, see Terminology D996.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.2 For definitions of application torque and removal
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
torque, see Test Method D3198.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.3 For Definitions regarding conditioning, see Terminol-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ogy E41.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.2.1 dry torque, n—drytorqueisdefinedasapplyingtorque
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
in the absence of lubricant (i.e. product from the container or
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
filling operation) on the threads.
3.2.2 immediate removal torque, n—removal torque that is
2. Referenced Documents
measured at a stated interval, from 1 min to 5 min after closure
2.1 ASTM Standards:
application.
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
3.2.3 torque retention, n—a comparison between removal
ments
torque at the end of a test period and a predetermined
immediate removal torque.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F02 on
Primary Barrier Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.25
4. Summary of Test Methods
on Rigid Container Closure Systems.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally
4.1 Test Method A: Static Evaluation—At predetermined
approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D7860 – 14. DOI:
timeintervals,theremovaltorquesofrepresentativesamplesof
10.1520/D7860-14R22.
a container/continuous thread closure system, previously
For classification of child resistant styles, see ASTM D3475 Standard Classi-
fication of Child-Resistant Closures.
stored at various environmental conditions, are measured.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7860 − 14 (2022)
4.2 Test Method B: Dynamic Evaluation—Practices D4169 8. Calibration
and D7386 are used to develop a uniform system of evaluating
8.1 Calibrate transducer based torque meters to a traceable
the ability of primary packages, in the shipping units, to
industry recognized traceable standard (e.g. NIST) in accor-
withstand the distribution environment. At the end of prede-
dance with the manufacturer’s procedures.
termined distribution cycles, the removal torques of represen-
8.2 Verify dynamic calibration of the transducer based
tative samples of a container/continuous thread closure system
torque meter by measuring both the application and removal
are measured.
torque of a calibrated force meter with a torque calibration
verification device (calibrated “standard”) five times before
5. Significance and Use
testing begins. Record results.
5.1 This test method allows for the measurement of the
torque retention properties of container/continuous thread clo-
9. Conditioning and Preparation of Test Specimens
sure systems of various designs, materials, and manufacture,
and is suitable for package development and engineering 9.1 Perform test specimen conditioning in accordance with
evaluation.
Specification E171 and Practice D4332.
5.2 Each test method can be used for the evaluation of non
9.2 Fill all of the containers with the specified volume or
child resistant container/continuous thread closure systems
weight of product, or other materials that yield similar weight
under controlled conditions such as when the application
and thermal characteristics. See Notes 2 and 3.
torque is known and the applied downward force to the closure
NOTE2—Thetotalquantityoftestspecimenssampledwilldependupon
the method selected and the number of environmental storage conditions.
is zero or for Type I, style “A” push down and turn child
NOTE 3—Given the purpose of the evaluation, empty containers may be
resistant container/continuous thread closure systems under
used as an option to filled containers for static testing.
controlled conditions such as when the application torque and
the applied downward force to the closure is known.
10. Procedure (see Note 4)
5.3 Thistestmethodmeasurestorqueretentionpropertiesof
10.1 Test A: Static Evaluation Non-Child Resistant Clo-
container/continuous thread closure systems with the use of an
sures:
automated transducer based torque meter operating at a known
10.1.1 Select the minimum application torque for the
rotational velocity (rpm) or known torque ramp.
container/continuous thread system as recommended by the
closure manufacturer. (For example, the U.S. Pharmacopoeia,
5.4 This test method is intended for measurement of dry
the Society for the Plastics Industry, the Glass Container
torque only.
Manufacturers Institute, or other sources.)
6. Apparatus
NOTE 4—Under certain conditions of product-filling, storage and
6.1 Automated Transducer Based Torque Meter, with a
distribution, it may be desirable to combine appropriate segments of Test
Method A and Test Method B.
programmable, fixed velocity or fixed torque ramp rate rota-
tional torque head and digital output that accurately measures
10.1.2 Set up torque meter for application torque operation
within the expected torque range for the particular container/
based on manufacturer’s procedures.
continuous thread closure system to be evaluated. (See Note X
10.1.3 Place a suitable closure onto the container.
for source(s) of equipment.)
10.1.4 Foractuatedcontainerclampingtypeconcentricwith
6.2 Torque Calibration Verification Device (Calibrated measuring device, place the container into the machine. For
“Standard”), is a magnetic type device that produces a manual style container clamping type, place the container into
repeatable breakaway torque within the expected torque range the machines container holding device in such a manner that
fortheparticularcontainer/continuousthreadclosuresystemto the axis of rotation of the closure is concentric with the center
be evaluated. (A calibrated “standard” is a separate device of the measuring device.
calibrated to a known set torque value and used for verifying 10.1.5 For positive actuated chuck style, start cycle and
the measuring meter between calibration periods.) tighten the closure to the pre-determined application torque.
For manual chuck style, affix the automated machine’s rotating
7. Sampling and Test Specimens
measuring device to the closure and tighten the closure to the
pre-determined application torque. Record both the pre-
7.1 Measure no less than ten test specimens for each torque
determinedappliedtorqueandthetorquerateorrotationrateof
measurement point per test variable.
the torque measuring head.
7.2 Selectpreviouslyunusedcontinuousthreadclosuresand
10.1.6 Verify that the machine stopped applying torque at
containers as test specimens.
the pre-determined application value. See Note 5.
7.3 Select a single cap and container mold cavity number
10.1.7 Apply the balance of the closures or containers to the
combination for testing if possible. A single combination will
matching components as directed in 10.1.3, 10.1.4, and 10.1.5.
reduce the variability between samples.
10.1.8 Store the assembled test specimens as appropriate in
accordance with Specification E171 or Practice D4332.
7.4 For torque measurement and analysis of a production
line system, sample size should be determined based upon the 10.1.8.1 Maintain one group of test specimens as a control
quantity of mold cavities used to produce the containers and by storing this group at ambient laboratory conditions. See
closures used in production. Note 5.
D7860 − 14 (2022)
NOTE 5—The application torque range is usually determined on the
manual style container clamping type, place the container into
basis of the desired removal torque range.
the machines container holding device in such a manner that
the axis of rotation of the closure is concentric with the center
10.1.8.2 Maintain, as appropriate, one or more groups of
test specimens at constant temperatures different than ambient of the measuring device.
laboratory conditions. If desired, cycling at various tempera- 10.2.5 Rotate the bottle and cap until the cap’s CR outer
ture and relative humidity conditions may be performed. locking lugs mesh with the inner lugs that allow the cap to be
10.1.9 At the end of each predetermined time period, tightened or removed. Activate the CR locking mechanism
determine the removal torque for each test sample at ambient with sufficient vertical force to prevent slipping of the lugs.
laboratory conditions or at the alternative temperature and Record the vertical downward force.
relative humidity conditions.
10.2.6 For positive actuated chuck style, start cycle and
10.1.9.1 The following test intervals are recommended: tighten the closure to the pre-determined application torque.
immediate (between 1 min and 5 min), 24 h, 48 h, 7 days, 14
For manual chuck style, affix the automated machine’s rotating
days, and 28 days. See Note 6. measuring device to the closure and tighten the closure to the
pre-determined application torque. Record both the pre-
NOTE 6—Sterilization cycles, if applied, using steam, ethylene oxide,
determinedappliedtorqueandthetorquerateorrotationrateof
gamma radiation, or other methods are known to affect certain plastics;
the torque measuring head.
these effects may influence removal torques.
10.2.7 Verify that the machine stopped applying torque at
10.1.10 Set-up machine for removal torque operation based
the pre-determined application value. See Note 6.
on manufacturers procedures.
10.2.8 Apply the balance of the closures or containers to the
10.1.11 Determine the removal torque for each test speci-
matching components as directed in 10.1.3, 10.1.4, and 10.1.5.
men; for actuated container clamping type concentric with
10.2.9 Store the assembled test specimens as appropriate in
measuring device, place the container into the machine. For
accordance with Specification E171 or Practice D4332.
manual style container clamping type, place the container in
10.2.9.1 Maintain one group of test specimens as a control
the machine’s container holding device in such a manner that
by storing this group at ambient laboratory conditions. See
the axis of rotation of the closure is concentric with the center
Note 9.
of the measuring device.
10.1.12 For positive actuated chuck style, activate machine
NOTE 9—The application torque range is usually determined on the
t
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