ASTM D7660-20

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D7660 − 10 (Reapproved 2018) D7660 − 20
Standard Guide for
Conducting Internal Pressure Tests on United Nations (UN)
Packagings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7660; 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 Scope*
1.1 This guide is intended to provide a standardized method and a set of basic instructions for performing internal and
hydrostatic pressure testing on packaging designs.designs intended for shipping liquids in accordance with the United States
Department of Transportation Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the United Nations Recommendations on the
Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN).
1.2 This guide provides information to help clarify various terms used as part of the United Nations (UN) certification process
that may assist in determining the applicable test.
1.3 This guide provides the suggested minimum information that should be documented when conducting pressure testing.
1.4 This guide provides information for recommended equipment and fittings for conducting pressure tests.
1.5 This guide is based on the current information contained in 49 CFR, §173.27 and §178.605.
1.6 When testing packaging designs intended for hazardous materials (dangerous goods), the user of this guide shall be trained
in accordance with 49 CFR §172.700 and other applicable hazardous materials regulations such as the ICAO Technical
Instructions, IMDG Code, and carrier rules such as the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
1.7 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.8 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 appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4919 Guide for Testing of Hazardous Materials (Dangerous Goods) Packagings
D4991 Test Method for Leakage Testing of Empty Rigid Containers by Vacuum Method
D8134 Guide for Conducting Internal Hydrostatic Pressure Tests on United Nations (UN) IBC Design Types
2.2 Federal Standard:
49 CFR U.S. Department of Transportation Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Transportation (49 CFR) Parts 100-185
2.3 UN Standard:
UN UN United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations (UN Orange Book)
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.22 on Hazardous Materials.
Current edition approved May 1, 2018April 1, 2020. Published June 2018June 2020. Originally approved in 2010. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D7660–10.
–10 (2018). DOI: 10.1520/D7660–10R18.10.1520/D7660-20.
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 ASTM website.
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents, Office, Washington, DC 20402–9371, http://
phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat. 20402-9371 (website: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/phmsa-regulations).
Available from the UN Economic Commission for Europe, Information Service, Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland, http://www.unece.org/trans/
danger/danger.htm. 10 Switzerland (website: http:// www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm).
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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2.4 IATA Standard:
IATA IATA International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations
2.5 ICAO Standard:
ICAO ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air
2.6 IMDG Standard:
IMDG Code International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
2 2
3.1.1 bar, n—metric unit of atmospheric pressure equal to 14.50 psi (lb/in. ), 1.02 kg/cm , 29.53 in.-Hg, or 0.9869 atmosphere.
3.1.2 hydrostatic pressure test, n—internal pressure test conducted on a container or packaging filled with water and pressurized
with water or other suitable means; regulatory reference sections: 49 CFR §178.605, UN 6.1.5.5, IMDG Code 6.1.5.5, ICAO 6.4.5,
and IATA 6.3.5.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
This test is required for all single and composite packagings intended for shipping liquid dangerous goods (hazardous materials).
For single and composite packagings, the test pressure rating will appear as part of the UN specification marking sequence. This
test may also be used to comply with the pressure differential requirements for air transportation (49 CFR §173.27) for inner
packagings of combination packagings intended for shipping liquid hazardous materials. For further discussion and clarification,
refer to the pressure differential section.
3.1.3 inches-mercury, in.-Hg, n—pressure exerted by a 2.54-cm high column of mercury that has a density of 13.5951 g ⁄cm
when the acceleration of gravity has the standard value of 9.8 m/s ; used as a unit in the measurement of atmospheric pressure.
One in.-Hg is equal to 3.3864 kPa or 0.491154 psi.
3.1.4 kilopascal, kPa, n—unit of pressure in the SI system of international units, the primary, standard system used by the United
Nationals (UN) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) throughout their respective regulations per 49 CFR §171.10.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—
To convert kPa to psi, multiply by 0.145130.1450377 (95 kPa × 0.145130.1450377 = 13.8 psi). For single and composite
packagings, the test pressure rating will appear as part of the UN specification marking sequence and shall be shown in kPa.
3.1.5 leakproofness test, n—pressure test conducted on an empty container or packaging and pressurized with air or other
suitable means; regulatory reference sections: 49 CFR §178.604, UN 6.1.5.4, IMDG Code 6.1.5.4, ICAO 6.4.4, and IATA 6.3.4.
3.1.5.1 Discussion—
All packagings intended to contain liquids, except the inner packagings of combination packagings, shall be capable of passing
a leakproofness test. Methods to comply are outlined in Appendix B to Part 178 of DOT, 49 CFR.
3.1.5.2 Discussion—
The definition for leakproofness is provided in this guide, but the test methods will be addressed in a separate standard.
3.1.6 packagings, n—receptacles and any other components or materials necessary for the receptacle to perform its containment
function and includes nonbulknon-bulk packagings and composite packagings and are: designed to contain a net mass not
exceeding 400 kg; designed with a capacity not exceeding 450 L; not intended to transport most gases; not intended to transport
infectious substances; not intended to transport most radioactive materials; and not an intermediate bulk container (IBC) as defined
in UN Recommendations 6.5.
3.1.7 pounds per square inch, psi, n—unit of measure in the English measurement system.
Available from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 800 Place Victoria,Victoria PO Box 113, Montreal, Quebec, H4Z 1M1, Canada, http://
www.iata.org.113 Montreal - H4Z 1M1 Quebec - Canada (website: http:// www.iata.org).
6 Available from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),Organization, (ICAO) 999 University St., Montreal, Quebec,Street, Montréal, Quebec H3C 5H7,
Canada, http://www.icao.org. Canada (website: http:// www.icao.org/).
Available from the International Marine Organization (IMO),(IMO, 4 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7SR, U.K., http://www.imo.org.7SR United Kingdom (website:
http://www.imo.org/).
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3.1.7.1 Discussion—
To convert psi to kPa, multiply by 6.89 (13.8 psi × 6.89 = 95 kPa).
3.1.8 pressure differential test, n—combination packagings with inner packagings containing liquid hazardous materials shall be
capable of meeting the pressure differential requirements for transport by air; regulatory reference sections: 49 CFR §173.27(c),
ICAO 4; 1.1.6, and IATA 5.0.2.9.
3.1.8.1 Discussion—
The pressure differential is intended to consider both the reduced external pressure as a result of changes in altitude as well as
increased internal pressure as a result of the vapor pressure of the hazardous materials in the package. To meet the pressure
differential requirement, the following tests may be used:
(1) hydrostatic pressure, n—The hydrostatic pressure test method should be used for all nonrigid containers and inner packagings.
Nonrigid containers are those that expand under pressure such as plastic bottles or vials and thin walled metal containers;
(2) vacuum pressure, n—The vacuum pressure test is an appropriate method for rigid containers and inner packagings if the
required test pressure (pressure differential) is 95 kPa or less. A container is considered rigid if it does not volumetrically expand
more than 0.5 % of its nonpressurized volume at ambient temperature when subjected to an internal pressure of 1 atmosphere (100
kPa) as specified in Test Method D4991. Rigid containers are those such as glass bottles and vials, earthenware, and plastic and
metal containers with thicker walls that do not significantly expand under pressure.
3.1.8.2 Discussion—
The appropriate pressure differential test method shall be validated to confirm the minimum required internal pressure has been
met.
3.1.8.3 Discussion—
The vacuum pressure method should not be used for “nonrigid” or flexible containers. When a flexible packaging such as a plastic
bag is subjected to a vacuum test, the air (fill material) inside the bag will cause the flexible packaging to expand and, subsequently,
the internal pressure will decrease. The pressure differential of the test is inversely related to the volume increase of the sample;
therefore, large volume increases detract from the severity of the test.
3.1.9 torr, n—unit of measure for the pressure exerted by 1 mm of mercury equal to ⁄760 th of standard atmospheric pressure;
used to measure pressure in vacuum systems.
3.1.9.1 Discussion—
–3
The corresponding SI unit is the pascal (Pa). It is a unit of pressure that is equal to approximately 1.316 × 10 atmospheres or
133.3 Pa (0.1333 kPa).
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Dangerous goods (hazardous materials) regulations require performance tests to be conducted on packaging designs before
being authorized for use. The regulations do not include standardized procedures for conducting performance tests and, because
of this, may result in a non-uniform approach and differences in test results between testing facilities.
4.2 The purpose of this guide is to provide guidance and to establish a set of common practices for conducting internal pressure
tests on packagings under goingsubjected to UN certification testing or packagings required to meet pressure capability
requirements. For more information on the UN certification requirements, refer to Guide D4919.
4.3 This guide provides additional information not in the regulations that will facilitate consistent testing. The information and
guidance provided here are intended to meet or exceed the minimum regulatory requirements. For more information on the UN
certification requirements, refer to Guide D4919. For pressure testing of IBC design types, reference Guide D8134.
5. Equipment
5.1 Recommended Test Equipment :
5.1.1 Appropriate Packaging Closing Equipment (Calibrated as Applicable)—Closing equipment such as torque wrench, torque
meter, lid press, cover/closure crimping tools, and so forth to prepare the packaging as for transport.
5.1.2 Water Supply Source:
5.1.2.1 Water supply source system should be designed to minimize water pressure fluctuations during the test.
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5.1.2.2 The water source can be building supplied water provided fluctuations in pressure do not occur during the test.
5.1.2.3 Recommended It is recommended to have a separate water supply tank assembly. assembly to enable the use of air
pressure over the top of the water supply. Air pressure may be used to pressurize the water supply tank to provide adequate water
pressure to the test sample. Refer to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3.
5.1.3 Regulator valve to maintain proper water pressure to test containers used to maintain an even pressure throughout the
duration of the test.
5.1.4 ManifoldPressure station to distribute water from water supply source through the regulator to the test containers. Refer
to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3.
5.1.5 Hose or hard piping as required.
5.1.6 Pressure gauge(s), psi/kPa, dual marked and calibrated (digital preferred).
5.1.6.1 Gauge to monitor water supply pressure.
5.1.6.2 Gauge(s) to monitor pressure inside test packaging(s).container(s).
5.1.6.3 AnyAll gauges used should be calibrated and have an accuracy in the range of 63 %.in the appropriate range.
5.1.7 Connection Fitting/Valves, Adaptors, Gaskets, and Bushings (or Other Equally Effective Means) as Needed—
5.1.7.1 Fitting/valve for water inlet to test container.
5.1.7.2 Fitting/valve for air release, drainage, and pressure monitoring.
5.1.7.3 Fitting/valve for pressure monitoring (if this is not combined with air release fitting).
NOTE 1—When combining fittings and valves, take care to make sure the assembly does not interfere with the reading on the gauge. A long extension
of the fitting may not provide an accurate pressure reading of the test container. Fittings extending above or beyond the test container should be kept as
short as possible to maintain accurate values and stable fittings.
5.1.8 Drill and appropriate drill bit.
5.1.9 Thermometer—Calibrated 0 to 50°C minimum range.
Component I.D. Description
1. Water supply (to pressure tank) with regulator and shut off valve. Hose quick connects to pressure tank when used.
2. Air supply (to pressure tank) with regulator and shut off valve. Hose quick connects to pressure tank when used.
3. Tank pressure relief with shut off valve.
4. Gauge to monitor the pressure inside the tank.
5. Pressure tank (recommended minimum size of 80 gal) with air over water.
6. Water supply with regulator and gauge to the test container from the pressure tank.
7. Water supply hose (¾ in.) with quick connect to attached to test container.
8. Test container.
9. T-connection with gauge to monitor pressure in test sample and vent relief for container with hose (½ to ¾ in.). Hose
should extend to drain or water recovery container.
NOTE 1—Reference Appendix X1 for pressure station preparation prior to starting the test.
FIG. 1 LargerLarge Container Internal Hydrostatic Pressure Station Example (Drawing)
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5.1.10 Timer with Audible Alarm—0 to 60 min.
5.2 Recommended Safety Equipment:
5.2.1 Safety glasses with side shield.
5.2.2 Gloves—fabric, leather, or rubber slip resistant, as appropriate.
6. Sample Size
6.1 Inner Packagings for Ai
...