ASTM D2063-91(2002)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D2063–91 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Test Methods for
Measurement of Torque Retention for Packages with
Continuous Thread Closures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2063; 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 3.1.3 For Definitions regarding conditioning, see Terminol-
ogyE41.
1.1 These test methods evaluate the torque retention of
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
continuous thread closures on containers, with matching fin-
3.2.1 immediate removal torque—removal torque that is
ishes, for predetermined environmental conditions over time.
measured at a stated interval, from 1 to 5 min after closure
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
application.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.2 torque retention—a comparison between removal
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
torque at the end of a test period and a predetermined
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
immediate removal torque.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Summary of Test Methods
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 Test Method A: Static Evaluation—At predetermined
2.1 ASTM Standards:
timeintervals,theremovaltorquesofrepresentativesamplesof
D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
a container/continuous thread closure system, previously
ments
stored at various environmental conditions, are measured.
D 3198 Test Method for Application and Removal Torque
4.2 Test Method B: Dynamic Evaluation—Practice D 4169
of Threaded or Lug-Style Closures
is used to develop a uniform system of evaluating the ability of
D 3474 Practice for Calibration and Use of Torque Meters
primary packages, in the shipping units, to withstand the
Used in Packaging Applications
distribution environment. At the end of predetermined distri-
D 4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
bution cycles, the removal torques of representative samples of
tainers and Systems
a container/continuous thread closure system are measured.
D 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
Packaging Components for Testing
5. Significance and Use
E41 Terminology Relating To Conditioning
5.1 This test method allows for the measurement of the
E 171 Specification for Atmospheres for Conditioning and
torque retention properties of container/continuous thread clo-
Testing Flexible Barrier Materials
sure systems of various designs, materials, and manufacture,
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
and is suitable for packaging development and engineering
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
evaluation.
3. Terminology 5.2 This test method can be used for the evaluation of
container/continuous thread closure systems under controlled
3.1 Definitions:
conditions (where the application torque is known and the
3.1.1 For definitions of general packaging and distribution
applied downward force to the closure is zero).
terms, see Terminology D 996.
3.1.2 For definitions of application torque and removal
6. Apparatus
torque, see Test Method D 3198.
6.1 Torque Meter, with an appropriate scale that accurately
measures within the expected torque range for the particular
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
container/continuous thread closure system to be evaluated.
Packaging and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.32 on Consumer,
6.1.1 Aspring torque meter, if used, will have a scale where
Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging.
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 2002. Published August 1991. theanticipatedtorquereadingsarenotlessthanone-thirdofthe
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
maximum range of the scale for the container/continuous
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
thread closure system to be evaluated. Torque results will be
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
available in a visual format.
the ASTM website.
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D2063–91 (2002)
6.1.2 Adigital or automated torque instrument, if used, will 10.1.4 Release the movable component (normally the con-
haveanappropriatedesignandscalecapacityforthecontainer/ tinuous thread closure) upon reaching the desired torque. See
continuous thread closure system to be evaluated. Torque Note 5.
results will be available in either electronic display or printout 10.1.5 Apply the balance of the closures or containers to the
formats.
matching components as directed in 10.1.2, 10.1.3, and 10.1.4.
6.1.3 A torque wrench, if used, will have an appropriate
10.1.6 Store the assembled test specimens as appropriate in
design and capacity capable of providing a reading within the
accordance with Specification E 171 or Practice D 4332.
anticipated range for the container/continuous thread closure
10.1.6.1 Maintain one group of test specimens as a control
system to be evaluated. Torque results will be available in a
by storing this group at ambient laboratory conditions.
visual format.
NOTE 5—The application torque range is usually determined on the
basis of the desired removal torque range.
7. Sampling and Test Specimens
10.1.6.2 Maintain, as appropriate, one or more groups of
7.1 Measure no less than ten test specimens for each torque
test specimens at constant temperatures different than ambient
measurement point per test variable. See Note 1.
laboratory conditions. If desired, cycling at various tempera-
7.2 Selectpreviouslyunusedcontinuousthreadclosuresand
ture and relative humidity conditions may be performed. See
containers as test specimens.
Note 6.
10.1.7 At the end of each predetermined time period,
8. Calibration
determine the removal torque for each test sample.
8.1 Calibrate spring torque meters in accordance with the
10.1.7.1 Determine the removal torques either at ambient
procedures of Practice D 3474.
laboratory conditions or at the alternative temperature and
8.2 Calibrate digital, automated torque instruments or
relative humidity conditions.
torque wrenches in accordance with manufacturers recommen-
10.1.7.2 The following test intervals are recommended:
dations.
immediate (between 1 and 5 minutes), 24 h, 48 h, 7 days, 14
days, and 28 days.
9. Conditioning and Preparation of Test Specimens
NOTE 6—Sterilization cycles, if applied, using steam, ethylene oxide,
9.1 Perform test specimen conditioning in accordance with
gamma radiation, or other methods are known to affect certain plastics;
Specification E 171 and Practice D 4332.
these effects may influence removal torques.
9.2 Fill all of the containers with the specified volume or
10.1.8 Determine the removal torque for each test specimen
weight of product, or other materials that yield similar weight
by firmly positioning either the container or the continuous
and thermal characteristics. See Note 2.
thread closure in such a manner that the axis of rotation of the
NOTE 1—The total quantity of test specimens sampled will depend
closure is concentric with the center of the measuring device.
upon the method selected and the number of environmental storage
See
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