ASTM_D_4577_-_05_2010.pdf

Designation:D457705(Reapproved 2010)Standard Test Method forCompression Resistance of a Container Under ConstantLoad1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4577;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 is designed to determine the resistanceof a shipping container to a vertically applied constant load foreither a specified time or to failure.The test method may alsobe used for palletized or unitized load configurations.1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult andestablish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.For specific precautionary statements,see Section 6.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistanceof Shipping Containers,Components,and Unit LoadsD644 Test Method for Moisture Content of Paper andPaperboard by Oven Drying(Withdrawn 2010)3D685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Productsfor TestingD996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-mentsD4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers,Packages,orPackaging Components for TestingD4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measure-ment of Wood and Wood-Base MaterialsE122 Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate,WithSpecified Precision,the Average for a Characteristic of aLot or Process3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsGeneral definitions for the packaging anddistribution environments are found in Terminology D996.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 loadthe force applied to a body,lbf or N.3.2.2 constant loada load that is invariable or unchanging3.2.3 static loadan imposed stationary force,constant inmagnitude,direction,and sense4.Significance and Use4.1 In the distribution system for many products there is aphase wherein the packaged product may be stored for a periodof time in a manner such that one or more containers aresuperimposed one upon the other.The bottom package is thuscontinually stressed with a constant load.4.2 This test method subjects a container,empty or filled,toa predetermined static load,and to specified atmosphericconditions,if required.5.Apparatus5.1 The testing apparatus shall be capable of imposing aconstant load on the test specimen and may be hydraulically,pneumatically,or mechanically activated.A test apparatusemploying dead weights to impose the constant load may beused,as in Fig.1 and Fig.2.Compression machines may alsobe used,as in Fig.3 and Fig.4,and shall contain two platens,or suitable framework and fixturing,one stationary and onemovable in the vertical direction.The movable platen may beswiveled(floating)or fixed and should have propermechanical,pneumatic,or hydraulic linkages to permit top-to-bottom loading.If the floor where the test is to be conducted issubject to severe vibration,it may be necessary to vibration-isolate the test apparatus.The test device should have a timerfor measuring the period of time required to cause containerfailure and means such as a dial indicator to measure boxdeformation(inches or millimetres)while under load,or anautographic recording device that records load and deformationover a period of time.5.2 Closing Equipment for Fiberboard BoxesWhen emptyboxes are to be tested,suitable closing facilities such as sealing1This test method is 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 Aug.1,2010.Published October 2010.Originallyapproved in 1986.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D4577 05.DOI:10.1520/D4577-05R10.2For 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.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 boards and proper adhesive for closing the flaps of boxspecimens shall be used.See Test Method D642.5.3 Conditioning ApparatusAdequate facilities shall beprovided to maintain a conditioned atmosphere of temperatureand humidity as required for the purpose of the test.5.4 Miscellaneous EquipmentDrying oven,scales,knife,saws,etc.,for use in determination of the moisture content orfor making other supplementary tests of the materials fromwhich the containers are made.When testing unit loads,it isrecommended that an empty pa