ASTM D5571-22

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Designation: D5571 − 16 D5571 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) of Plastic
TightheadTight-head Drums Not Exceeding 60 Gal (227 L) in
Rated Capacity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5571; 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 test method provides an indication of the environmental stress crack resistance of plastic tightheadtight-head drums as
a summation of the effects of container design, resin, manufacturing conditions, field performance, and other factors.
1.2 This test method may be used to evaluate a plastic drum’s resistance to failure by cracking when in the presence of chemical
and physical stresses.
1.3 Two procedures are provided as follows:
1.3.1 Procedure A—Internal pressure stress crack resistance method to nonyl phenoxypoly (ethyleneoxy) ethanol solution, a stress
cracking reagent. The internal pressure is controlled at a constant elevated pressure and temperature.
1.3.2 Procedure B—Top-load stress crack resistance method to nonyl phenoxypoly ethanol, a stress cracking reagent. The
compressive top load top-load is controlled at a constant weight while maintaining an elevated temperature.
1.4 Although these procedures are not designed to test the ability of the closure or closure gasket material to retain the test reagent,
the inclusion of closure failure as a container failure mode is optional. However, leakage through a closure may affect the internal
pressure that could affect the test results.
1.5 This test method does not attempt to address all factors that could lead to stress cracking of plastic drums. The user of this
standard may use other test parameters, such as top loads, top-loads, chemical reagents, etc., as agreed upon between the user and
supplier in the event of a drum qualification or purchase agreement.
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for information
only.
1.7 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. use. Specific warning statements are given in 6.2.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on Shipping Containers and
Systems - Application of Performance Test Methods.
Current edition approved June 1, 2016Oct. 1, 2022. Published July 2016November 2022. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20102016 as
D5571D5571 – 16.–94 (2010). DOI: 10.1520/D5571-16.10.1520/D5571-22.
*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
D5571 − 22
1.8 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:
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D4577 Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant Load
E122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With Specified Precision, the Average for a Characteristic of a Lot or
Process
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Reference Terminology D996 for definitions of terms applicable to this test method.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 environmental stress crack—a crack that develops when a plastic drum is exposed to chemical and physical stresses.
3.2.2 plastic tightheadtight-head drum—A non-removable head plastic drum, maximum capacity not exceeding 60 gal (227 L),
with openings for filling and emptying not exceeding 2.76 in. (70 mm) in diameter.
3.2.3 stress crack failure—any environmental stress crack that penetrates through the thickness of the drum resulting in a loss or
leakage of the test reagent shall be interpreted as a failure.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Procedure A—Exposes a minimum of three partly filled plastic drums to the action of a stress cracking reagent, within the
container, at an elevated internal pressure and elevated temperature. The test duration shall be 14 days, or as specified by the user.
4.2 Procedure B—Exposes a minimum of three plastic drums to a mechanical toptop- load at elevated temperatures. The drums
are filled to rated capacity with a stress cracking reagent and sealed prior to the load being applied. The test duration shall be 14
days, or as specified by the user.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 These procedures provide an indication of the environmental stress-crack resistance of plastic tightheadtight-head drums. This
test method may be used for determining the applicability of various plastic resins, mold designs, processing techniques, and
parameters for plastic tightheadtight-head drums.
5.2 Environmental stress cracking is indicative of what results when a container is exposed to chemical agents such as soaps,
organics, bleaches, or any surface active surface-active solutions while under conditions of stress.
5.3 Environmental stress cracking is a mechanism of chemical attack that is highly dependent upon the test reagent, resin,
container manufacturing or processing history, exposure temperature, applied stress, and other factors. The combination of these
factors may result in eventual stress crack failure.
5.4 Both procedures minimize the potential for test variability by providing the user with rigidly defined test conditions. This test
method may be used as design qualification and auditing tools for plastic tightheadtight-head drums.
5.5 This test method is not meant to provide a quantitative value of measurement (that is, number of days to failure). It is intended
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volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
D5571 − 22
only as a pass/fail procedure in accordance with user’suser’s specifications, or as agreed upon between the user and supplier. It
is not intended as a predictor or indicator of field performance regarding time to failure.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Environmental Chamber—The environmental chamber should be capable of maintaining a temperature control of 62.5°F
(61.4°C)62.5 °F (61.4 °C) of set point. For best circulation and a constant temperature throughout, a forced air system is
recommended.
6.2 Top Load Top-load (for Procedure B only)—Requires free weights (dead load) be placed on top of the specimens in amounts
necessary to equal the specified top load. top-load. The deadload base should be of sufficient dimensions to completely cover the
top perimeter of the drum. A calibrated pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder may be substituted for the free weights. (Warning—
WarningThe—The potential exists for catastrophic stress-crack failure causing an instability of the applied topload.top-load.
Precautionary steps should be taken (that is, allow drum failure but restrain the top load) top-load) to reduce the chance of injury
to the operator or damage to the chamber and surrounding test drums.)
6.3 For Procedure A Only:
6.3.1 The essential parts of this apparatus are shown in Fig. 1. The necessary equipment is as follows:
6.3.1.1 Clean (Compressed) Air Supply, of sufficient pressure to operate regulator and maintain regulated pressure to drums.
6.3.1.2 Pressure Regulator, to reduce line pressure to 2.02.0 psi 6 0.1 psi (13.8(13.8 kPa 6 0.7 kPa).
6.3.1.3 Pressure Gages, calibrated to indicate a pressure of 2.02.0 psi 6 0.05 psi (13.8(13.8 kPa 6 0.34 kP
...