ASTM_D_6534_-_05_2010.pdf

Designation:D653405(Reapproved 2010)Standard Test Method forDetermining the Peak Force-to-Actuate of a MechanicalPump Dispenser1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6534;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the determination of the peakforce-to-actuate,sometimes called force-to-actuate(FTA),of amechanical pump dispenser.1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The inch-pound units given in parentheses are forinformation only.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.Specific precau-tionary statements are given in Section 5.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D3890 Test Method for Number of Strokes to Prime aMechanical Pump Dispenser3.Significance and Use3.1 This test method can be used to compare the peakforce-to-actuate performance of different mechanical pumpdispensers.3.2 This test method can be used to determine the perceivedease of use of a mechanical pump dispenser.3.3 This test method can be used to determine the peakforce-to-actuate of a mechanical pump dispenser.4.Apparatus4.1 Motorized Compression Tester,or Custom Force-to-Action Machine,with the capability to actuate the mechanicalpump dispenser at a constant velocity and adjustable strokelengths while accurately measuring the resulting force(that is,load cell).NOTE1Since the velocity during actuation will affect the FTA ofcertain mechanical pump dispenser designs,care must be taken inselecting the correct type of equipment with the sufficient actuationvelocity.4.2 A device connected to the compression tester that candisplay the resulting force in newtons(N)or pounds force(lbf)of 0.1 accuracy.4.3 A means to rigidly hold the mechanical pump dispenserduring testing(that is,glass bottle or a holding fixture;see Fig.1).5.Precautions5.1 Appropriate handling considerations should be given toflammable,toxic,caustic,or other potentially hazardous ma-terials used.5.2 Appropriate operating considerations should be takenwith pinch points on the motorized compression tester.5.3 Ensure that the exit orifice of the mechanical pumpdispenser is pointed away from the operator and other people.5.4 Ensure that the motorized compression tester is properlycalibrated.5.5 Actuation Rate for Finger PumpsCare should be takenwhen selecting the travel speed of the ram.For some mechani-cal pump dispenser styles,the speed of actuation and length ofstroke can affect the peak force to actuate.As a rule of thumb,mechanical pump dispensers with a stroke length of 7 mm orgreater should use an actuation velocity of 35 to 75 mm persecond,while mechanical pump dispensers with a stroke lengthof less than 7 mm should use an actuation velocity of 35 mmper second or less.Especially for fine mist spray pumps,theabove mentioned rates are preferred.A different rate may beused;however,the true force-to-actuate during use may not bemeasured.The actuation rate used should be recorded in 10.5.6 Actuation Rate for Trigger PumpsActuation rate fortrigger sprayers to be 90 strokes per min.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 onPackaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.33 on MechanicalDispensers.Current edition approved Oct.1,2010.Published March 2011.Originallyapproved in 2000.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D6534 05.DOI:10.1520/D6534-05R10.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 6.Sampling6.1 Select an appropriate number of dry,unused pumpdispensers at random for the precision and accuracy desired.Anumber of ten test specimens are recommended,but a mini-mum of three is acceptable.7.Specimens7.1 Test specimens shall be clean,dry,and previouslyunused pump dispensers assembled in the manner as inproduction.8.Conditioning8.1 If possible,condition the test specimens at 23 6 3C(736 5.4F)for not less than 4 h.If the test specimens are notconditioned at the recommended temperature,this should benoted in the test report discussed in 10.1.8.2 Test pumps should be t ested no sooner than 24 h afterassembly when possible.If pumps are not conditioned at therecommended time,this should be noted in the test report in10.1.9.ProcedureForce-to-Actuate Test Method Number 1NOTE2This test met