ASTM D5419-21

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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: D5419 − 14a D5419 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) of Threaded
Plastic Closures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5419; 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*
1.1 This test method determines the susceptibility of threaded plastic closures to failure due to environmental stress cracking
(ESC).
1.2 In use, threaded plastic closures can contact agents that appreciably reduce the stress at which cracks form. Examples of such
agents are: soaps, detergents, oils, and liquid bleaches.
1.3 Major factors that influence environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) of threaded plastic closures include the closure
material(s), closure design, molded-in stress, and applied stress.
1.4 This procedure can be applied to all closures, but is particularly applicable to closures made from plastics based on
polypropylene (PP) or polystyrene (PS).
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
1.6 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. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 8 and 6.2.
NOTE 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
1.7 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:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.19 on Film, Sheeting, and Molded
Products.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2014Sept. 1, 2021. Published December 2014September 2021. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as
D5419 – 14.D5419 – 14a. DOI: 10.1520/D5419-14A.10.1520/D5419-21.
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.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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D5419 − 21
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
D2911 Specification for Dimensions and Tolerances for Plastic Bottles
E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-Ventilation Ovens
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Terms used in this standard are defined in accordance with Terminology D883, unless otherwise specified. Except
for those terms below, see TerminologiesTerminology D883D1600 and . For terms relating to precision and bias and associated
issues, the terms used in this standard are defined in accordance with Terminology D1600E456.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 assembly—closure applied to a bottle finish.
3.2.2 failure—during this test, any visible crack.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—
A crack does not have to penetrate the closure wall to be considered a failure.
3.2.3 finish—fixture representing the threaded portion of the bottle.
3.2.4 threaded closure—part applied to seal bottle as specified in Specification D2911.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 This test method consists of applying closures at a specified application torque to rigid finishes (of polysulfone or other
appropriate resin), immersing the assembly in a potential stress-cracking agent, and observing and reporting time-to-failure.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method compares closures for ESCR. Suitable variables are: closure materials, closure designs, processes, applied
torque, and stress-crack agents.
5.2 Results can be used for estimating shelf life of closures in terms of ESCR. This requires that the user has calibrated failure
time in this test to failure time in the field for actual packaging systems.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Wide-Mount Gallon Jars, glass, PET, or other suitable material. Must have lined closures to ensure air-tight seal. Use one jar
per sample.
6.2 Circulating-Air Oven, capable of maintaining a temperature of 50 6 1°C 50 6 1°C (critical in this application). See
Specification E145 for a procedure for confirming satisfactory uniformity of temperature within the oven. There is no air-flow
requirement in this application. An environmental room with these properties is also suitable. (Warning—A high-temperature
safety switch is highly recommended on this oven. Some test liquids can cause extreme pressure to build up upon heating. Under
these conditions it is possible that the test jars will rupture with explosive force. Set the override cutoff switch to turn off the oven
if the test temperature is exceeded by 10°C or more.)
6.3 Tongs, for sample removal and inspection.
6.4 Bottle Finishes, polysulfone or other material of equivalent stiffness and thermal coefficient of expansion, to which closures
are applied. These can be made by injection molding or by machining rod stock. See Fig. 1 for a drawing of a typical fixture. Use
an appropriate size based on closure and bottle specifications.
6.5 Torque Meter, with capacity of at least 5 torque Nm, calibrated or verified within the past 12 months.
D5419 − 21
NOTE 1—Tolerances for Dimensions T,E, and S shall be in accordance with Specification D2911.
FIG. 1 Typical Fixture
6.6 Plastic Test Closures, lined or unlined closure based on specifications.
NOTE 2—To ensure that full crystallization has essentially been achieved, PP-based closures should condition for at least three weeks before testing and
PS closures for at least 16 h.
NOTE 3—To convert lbf-in. torque to Nm torque, multiply by 0.113.
7. Reagents and Materials
7.1 Test Solution—Use solution for which the closure is intended.
8. Hazards
8.1 Always wear protective equipment, such as goggles, gloves, and aprons, appropriate to the product hazard when setting up
or inspecting closures.
9. Test Specimens
9.1 Normal sample size is 20 closures, typical of lots to be tested. It is strongly advisable to run the test in duplicate (two sets of
20) or to sample more than one lot.
9.2 Visually inspect each closure to be tested. Replace any that appear defective or irregular.
D5419 − 21
10. Conditioning
10.1 Conditioning—After aging in accordance with 6.6, condition closures and bottle finishes at 23 6 2°C and 50 6 10 %
23 6 2°C and 50 6 10 % relative humidity for not less than 40 h prior to test, in accordance with Procedure A of Practice D618
unless otherwise specified by agreement or the relevant ASTM material specification. Condition test solution at 50 6 1°C
50 6 1°C until it reaches 50 6 1°C 50 6 1°C (16 h normally required).
10.2 Test Conditions—Conduct all tests at 50 6 2°C, 50 6 2°C, unless instructed otherwise.
11. Procedure
11.1 Apply closures to bottle finishes. Unless otherwise specified, apply torque to a tolerance of 65 % using one of the following
values:
11.1.1 A value corresponding to the upper limit of immediate removal torque in production (rule of thumb: application
torque = 1.05 × immediate removal torque), or
11.1.2 A nominal value based on the closure diameter (rule of thumb: torque, Nm = closure diameter, mm × 0.08), or
11.1.3 A value agreed upon between the laboratory and the customer.
11.1.4 Firmly position the bottle finish between the four posts on the torque tester in such a manner that the axis of rotation of
the cap is concentric with the center of the movable plate on which the bottle finish rests.
11.1.5 Grip the closure by hand, avoiding any contact with the bottle finish, and twist clockwise while closely watching the gauge.
Apply torques smoothly and consistently, at a constant rate consistent with accurate reading of the gauge.
11.1.6 Apply torque continuously until the desired torque as indicated by the needle on the gauge is reached.
11.2 Place 20 assemblies in jars. Fill jars with enough test solution at 50 6 1°C 50 6 1°C to cover all assemblies. Wipe any test
solution from jar-finish area. Cap jars and hand tighten.
11.3 Place jars on test at 50 6 1°C. 50 6 1°C. Check and record the temperature of test area dail
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