ASTM_D_6653_-_D_6653M_-_13.pdf

Designation:D6653/D6653M13Standard Test Methods forDetermining the Effects of High Altitude on PackagingSystems by Vacuum Method1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6653/D6653M;the number immediately following the designation indicates theyear of original adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of lastreapproval.A superscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 These test methods determine the effects of pressuredifferential when packaged products are transported via certainmodes of transport,such as feeder aircraft or ground over highmountain passes.The results of these tests are intended to beused for qualitative purposes.1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitsare to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated ineach system may not be exact equivalents;therefore,eachsystem shall be used independently of the other.Combiningvalues from the two systems may result in non-conformancewith the standard.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.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-mentsD3078 Test Method for Determination of Leaks in FlexiblePackaging by Bubble EmissionD4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-tainers and SystemsD4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers,Packages,orPackaging Components for TestingD4991 Test Method for Leakage Testing of Empty RigidContainers by Vacuum MethodD5094 Test Methods for Gross Leakage of Liquids fromContainers with Threaded or Lug-Style ClosuresE122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,WithSpecified Precision,the Average for a Characteristic of aLot or Process2.2 Other:Altitude-pressure tables based on the United States StandardAtmospheres33.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsTerms and definitions used in these testmethods may be found in Terminology D996.3.2 Definition of Term:3.2.1 feeder aircraft,nsmall,potentially nonpressurizedaircraft used to transport express air packages to remote areas.4.Significance and Use4.1 Packaged products transported via the feeder aircraftnetwork are liable to experience altitudes as high as 5 791 m19 000 ft.4When exposed to these high altitude conditions,products or packaging systems,or a combination thereof,maybe affected negatively by the resultant pressure differential.4.2 These test methods are suitable for evaluating the effectof high altitude on packaging systems.4.3 These test methods are suitable for package or product,or both,development and engineering.4.4 Other test methods,such as Test Methods D3078,D4991 and D5094,test for leakage of packaging systems byvacuum method and are applicable for testing the effects ofhigh altitude.5.Apparatus5.1 Vacuum ChamberAny suitable chamber capable ofwithstanding approximately one atmosphere pressure differen-tial fitted with a flat-vacuum-tight cover or equivalent chamberproviding the same functional capabilities,such as an altitudechamber.1These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 onPackaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on ShippingContainers and Systems-Application of Performance Test Methods.Current edition approved Jan.15,2013.Published February 2013.Originallyapproved in 2001.Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D6653/D6653M 01(Reapproved 2010).DOI:10.1520/D6653_D6653M-13.2For 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.3Available from http:/naca.larc.nasa.gov/reports/1936/naca-report-538/.4Based on field testing analysis.See Singh,S.P.,Singh,J.,Stallings,J.,Burgess,G.,and Saha,K.,“Measurement and Analysis of Temperature and Pressure in HighAltitude Air Shipments,”Journal of Packaging Technology and Science,Vol.23,Issue 1,pp.35 46,December 2009.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.2 Vacuum Gage,Inlet Tube from a Source of Vacuum andOutlet Tube to the Atmosphere,shall be sealed to the chamber.The inlet and outlet tubes shall be equipped with hand operatedvalves.The vacuum gauge shall be laboratory quality with afull-scale range of 0 to 100 kPa 0 to 30 in.Hg with minimumgraduation no greater than 2 kPa 1 in.Hg and accuracy towithin 2%.5.3 The Chamber,shall be large enough to contain the testspecimen,as well as allow for the expansion of the product orpackage,or both.6.Sampling6.1 The test specimens and number of samples shall bechosen to permit an adequate determination of representativeperformance(see Pr