ASTM D5277-92(2002)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D5277–92(Reapproved 2002)
Standard Test Method for
Performing Programmed Horizontal Impacts Using an
Inclined Impact Tester
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5277; 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.
1. Scope E 122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,
With a Specified Tolerable Error, the Average for a
1.1 This test method covers the procedures for reproducing
Characteristic of a Lot or Process
and comparing shock damage, such as that which may result
from rail switching or pallet marshalling impacts, using an
3. Terminology
incline impact tester. It is suitable for simulating the types of
3.1 Definitions—General terms and definitions used in this
shockpulsesexperiencedbyladinginrailswitchingofrailcars
test method may be found in Terminology D 996.
with standard draft gear, but not for those with long travel draft
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
gear or cushioned underframes. The test method can also be
3.2.1 programming material—a resilient elastomer with
used for pallet marshalling tests.
characteristics suitable to control the shock pulse generated, or
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
any other suitable means of control.
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
3.2.2 velocity change—the sum of the velocity at impact
information only.
and the rebound velocity.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 Thistestmethodisforuseinevaluatingthecapabilityof
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
a container or shipping system to withstand sudden shocks and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.Forspecifichazards
crushing forces, such as those generated from rail switching
statements, see Section 6.
impacts or pallet marshalling, or to evaluate the capability of a
container and its inner packing, or shipping system, to protect
2. Referenced Documents
2 its contents during the sudden shocks and crushing forces
2.1 ASTM Standards:
resulting from rail switching or pallet marshalling impacts.
D 664 Test Method forAcid Number of Petroleum Products
This test method may also be used to compare the performance
by Potentiometric Titration
of different container designs or shipping systems. The test
D 880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Con-
may also permit observation of the progressive failure of a
tainers and Systems
container or shipping system and damage to the contents. See
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
Practice D 4169 for additional guidance.
ments
4.2 This test method is not suitable for reproducing impact
D 4003 Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal Impact
resulting from the switching of rail cars using long-travel draft
Test for Shipping Containers and Systems
gear or cushioned underframes. Refer to Method D 4003
D 4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
(revised) as a more suitable method for testing under these
tainers and Systems
circumstances, or when more precise control of shock inputs is
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
required.
Packaging Components for Testing
5. Apparatus
5.1 Inclined Impact Test Equipment, conforming to the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
following requirements:
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.22 on Handling and
5.1.1 The incline track, backstop, and carriage shall con-
Transportation.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 1992. Published October 1992.
form to the requirements of Method D 880, except that the
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
backstop need not have a solid steel plate surface or a solid
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
integral mass at least 50 times the mass of the test specimen.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 5.1.1.1 No removable hazard shall be fitted.
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D5277–92 (2002)
5.1.1.2 In lieu of steel wheels, wheels of polyoxymethylene fiberboard or paperboard containers shall be conditioned in
(Delrin) plastic may be used in order to reduce noise and accordance with the preconditioning and standard conditioning
improve shock pulse recording. atmospheres specified in Practice D 4332 (see also Practice
D 4169 for additional guidance).
5.1.2 Aprogrammingmaterialordeviceisrequiredtoshape
5.1.7.2 Where the moisture content of fiberboard containers
and control the shock pulse seen by the test specimen(s). This
is determined, it should be determined in accordance with
materialordevicemaybefastenedtoeitherthebackstoporthe
Method D 644.
impacting face of the bulkhead.Any material or device may be
used, provided that is yields a repeatable, controllable test.
6. Hazards
Package cushionings of suitable elasticity have been found to
6.1 This test method may produce severe mechanical re-
be satisfactory.
sponses in the test specimen and apparatus. Operating person-
5.1.3 The carriage shall be fitted with a bulkhead at a
nel must therefore remain alert to potential hazards and take
90-degree 6 30 min (90 6 ⁄2-degree) angle to the top surface
necessary safety precautions. The test area should be cleared
of the carriage. The bulkhead shall be fitted so that, upon
prior to each impact. The testing of hazardous materials or
release, either the bulkhead impacts first on the programming
products may require special precautions that must be ob-
material, or the carriage and bulkhead impact on the program-
served. Safety equipment may be required, and its use must be
ming material at the same time.The bulkhead shall be attached
understood before starting the test.
securely to the carriage and shall be sufficiently rigid to
withstand impact shocks without significant distortion.
7. Sampling
5.1.4 When specified, a backload suitable to reproduce the
7.1 The test specimens and number of samples shall be
crushing forces from other products impacting the test unit
chosen to permit an adequate determination of representative
shall be provided. This will necessitate sufficient carriage and
performance. Practice E 122 is recommended.
bulkhead strength, as well as rigidity in the backstop, to
7.2 In the absence of any sampling plan, at least three
withstand the additional forces generated without significant
representative specimens should be selected for performance
distortion. The face of this backload that contacts the test
evaluation.
specimen shall replicate a backload of the same product in
dimension, area of contact, and resilience.
8. Test Specimens
5.1.5 To prevent secondary impacts, the test apparatus shall
8.1 When the protective capability of a container or ship-
be fitted with a means of arresting the motion of the carriage
ping system is to be evaluated, it is preferable to pack the
after the primary impact.
container with the actual contents for which it was designed
5.1.6 Instrumentation shall be provided to determine the
(Note 1). When the integrity of a container or shipping system
velocity at impact and the rebound velocity to an accuracy of
is to be evaluated, pack the container or shipping system with
6 5 %.Additional instrumentation shall be provided to record
either the actual contents or a load simulating the contents.
the shock pulse shape, magnitude, and duration. The shock
Regardless of which procedure is used, close the container or
recording instrumentation shall have a frequency response at
shipping system in the same manner that will be used in
least 20 times the frequency being recorded, a cross-axis
preparing it for shipment.
sensitivitymaximumof5 %offullscale,andanaccuracyof 6
2 % of the actual values as measured.
NOTE 1—Where the use of actual contents is not feasible because of
excessive cost or danger, a dummy load simulating the contents with
5.1.6.1 Instrumentation sensors shall be placed on the out-
respect to dimensions, center of gravity, moment of inertia, density, flow
side of the carriage bulkhead within 6 in. (150 mm), measured
characteristics, etc. may be used.
perpendicularly to the programming material.
5.1.6.2 Optional instrumentation may include optical or
9. Procedure
mechanical timing devices for measuring the carriage impact
9.1 Prior to initiating the test, write a test plan that includes
and rebound velocities for determining the total velocity
the following information.
change. If used, this system shall have a response for each
9.1.1 State the number of impacts the test unit will receive
velocity measurement accurate to within 6 2.5 % of the actual
(Note 2).
value.
NOTE 2—The number of impacts to which a product will be subjected
5.1.7 Conditioning Apparatus—Adequate facilities shall be
in transit may range from 1 to more than 15. The velocity changes may
provided for conditioning test specimens at the proper humid-
range from 1 to 10 mph (1.6 to 16.1 kph). The duration of the impact
i
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