ASTM D642-00(2005)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D642–00 (Reapproved 2005)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping
Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 642; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope D 2016 Methods of Test for Moisture Content of Wood
D 4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
1.1 This test method covers compression tests on shipping
tainers and Systems
containers (for example, boxes and drums) or components, or
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
both. Shipping containers may be tested with or without
Packaging Components for Testing
contents. The procedure may be used for measuring the ability
D 4577 Test Method for Compression Resistance of a
of the container to resist external compressive loads applied to
Container Under Constant Load
itsfaces,todiagonallyoppositeedges,ortocorners(Fig.1and
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
Fig. 2). This test method covers testing of multiple containers
E 122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,
or unit loads, in addition to individual shipping containers,
With a Specified Tolerable Error, the Average for a
components, materials, or combination thereof.
Characteristic of a Lot or Process
1.2 The test method of applying load may be used to
2.2 TAPPI Standard:
compare the characteristics of a given design of container with
T 804 Compression testing of fiberboard shipping contain-
a standard, or to compare the characteristics of containers
ers
differing in construction.
2.3 ISO Standard:
1.3 This test method is related to TAPPI T804, which is
ISO 12048 Packaging—Complete, filled transport
similarforfixedplatenmachinesbutdoesnotrecognizeswivel
packages—Compression and stacking test using compres-
platen machines. This test method fulfills the requirements of
sion tester
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Test
Method 12048. The ISO standards may not meet the require-
3. Terminology
ments for this test method.
3.1 Definitions—General terms for Packaging and Distribu-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
tion Environments are found in Terminology D 996.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.1 fixed platen testing machine—a testing machine
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
equipped with two platens which are both restrained from
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tilting.
2. Referenced Documents 3.2.2 swiveled platen testing machine—a testing machine
2 equipped with two platens, one rigidly restrained from tilting
2.1 ASTM Standards:
while the other platen is universally mounted and allowed to
D 644 Test Method for Moisture Content of Paper and
tilt freely.
Paperboard by Oven Drying
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
4. Significance and Use
ments
4.1 Compressive resistance is one of the properties used to
evaluate the ability of shipping containers, components, and
unit loads to successfully survive the compressive forces they
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.22 on Handling
are subjected to during storage and distribution (see Note 1).
and Transportation.
Current edition approved April 1, 2005. Published April 2005. Originally
approved in 1941. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D 642 – 00.
Withdrawn.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Available from the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, 15
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Technology Parkway South, Atlanta, GA 30092.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Available from American National Standards Institute, 25 W. 43rd St., 4th
the ASTM website.
Floor, New York, NY 10036.
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D642–00 (2005)
NOTE 1—For constant load test refer to Test Method D 4577.
6.3 The specimens being tested shall be complete in all
respects. Depending on the purpose of the test, interior
4.2 Compressive resistance may be determined with either
components may or may not be included. Tests shall be made
fixed- or swiveled-platen-type testing machines. However, a
on specimens with or without contents as prescribed.
fixed-head compression machine is required to perform edge-
6.4 The test specimen shall be closed and secured in the
to-edge and corner-to-corner orientations on test specimens
same manner as will be used in preparing them for shipment
(see Note 2). Also, unit loads are generally tested only in the
unless otherwise specified. The method of flap securement for
top-to-bottom orientation.
corrugated containers may affect test results (see Appendix
NOTE 2—Fixed-platen machines generally cause specimens to fail at
X1).
theirstrongestpoint,whileswivel-platenmachinescausespecimenstofail
at their weakest point. The swiveled platen is allowed to move to the
7. Calibration and Standardization
weakest point of the container.
7.1 The accuracy of the test equipment must be verified to
5. Apparatus
ensure reliable test data.
7.1.1 The overall system accuracy of the recorded or indi-
5.1 Compression Testing Machines:
cated applied load (force) shall be verified in accordance with
5.1.1 Fixed-Platen Testing Machine—Two platens, flat to
PracticeE4. The verified loading range shall be specified, and
within0.01in.(0.25mm)foreach12in.(304.8mm)inlength,
errors within the loading range shall not exceed 61.0 % of
and one of which is movable in the vertical direction so as to
reading (as calculated in Practice E4). If testing below the
compress the container between the platens. One is the load
PracticeE4 verified loading range is desired, then the maxi-
measuring platen, and both should be of sufficient size so that
mum permissible error shall not exceed6 0.2 % of the full
the test container does not extend beyond the edges of the
range of the force sensor. Calculate as follows:
platens. Both platens are fixed in the horizontal directions so as
tohavenolateralmovementgreaterthan0.05in.(1.3mm),and
E 5 F 3 0.002 (1)
S
are held parallel throughout the test to within 0.04 in. (1 mm)
where:
for each 12 in. (304.8 mm) in the length and width dimensions.
E = maximum permissible error, lbf or N, and
5.1.2 Swivel-Platen Testing Machine—Two platens, flat to
F = force sensor’s full range, lbf or N.
S
within0.01in.(0.25mm)foreach12in.(304.8mm)inlength,
7.1.2 The accuracy of the recorded or indicated platen
and one which is movable in the vertical direction so as to
displacement must be verified in accordance with the equip-
compress the container between the platens. One is the
ment manufacturer’s recommended procedures. The error,
load-measuring platen, and both should be of sufficient size so
including the effects of any backlash in the loading system,
that the test container does not extend beyond the edges of the
shall not exceed 60.1 in. (62.5 mm).
platens. One platen is fixed in the horizontal direction so as to
7.1.3 The accuracy of the platen travel rate at 0.5 in./min
have no lateral movement greater than 0.05 in. (1.3 mm). The
(12.7 mm/min) must be verified throughout each loading range
second platen is attached to the machine by a swivel or
in accordance with the equipment manufacturer’s recom-
universal joint to a point directly centered on the platen,
mended procedures. The error, including any backlash in the
allowing the platen to tilt freely.
loading system, shall not exceed 60.10 in./min (62.5 mm/
5.2 Suitable Closure Apparatus—See Appendix X1.
min).
5.3 Conditioning Apparatus—Provide adequate facilities
for conditioning test containers at proper relative humidity and
8. Conditioning
temperaturepriortotestinaccordancewiththerequirementsof
8.1 Test specimens shall be conditioned prior to test or
the specifications covering the containers to be tested. It is
during test, or both, in accordance with the requirements of the
recommended that the atmospheres for conditioning be se-
applicable specification. When no conditioning requirements
lected from those shown in Practice D 4332. Unless otherwise
are given and container materials are moisture sensitive, a
specified, fiberboard and other paperboard containers shall be
standard conditioning atmosphere is recommended in accor-
preconditioned and conditioned in accordance with the stan-
dance with Practice D 4332.
dard atmosphere specified in Practice D 4332.
8.1.1 Moisture content determination may be carried out for
6. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
moisture-sensitive materials at the time of the test to confirm
test effects of conditioning (see Appendix X2).
6.1 Choose test specimens and sample quantities to provide
8.2 For special applications, and depending on the purpose
an adequate determination of representative performance. For
of the test, the test specimens may be cond
...