ASTM_D_4168_-_95_2015.pdf

Designation:D416895(Reapproved 2015)Standard Test Methods forTransmitted Shock Characteristics of Foam-in-PlaceCushioning Materials1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4168;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 These test methods determine the shock-absorbing char-acteristics of foam-in-place packaging materials.1.2 Test Method A uses a free-fall package drop test appa-ratus.1.3 Test Method B uses a shock-test apparatus.1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.5 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-mentsD3332 Test Methods for Mechanical-Shock Fragility ofProducts,Using Shock MachinesD5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers byFree FallD5487 Test Method for Simulated Drop of Loaded Contain-ers by Shock Machines3.Terminology3.1 General definitions for packaging and distribution envi-ronments are found in Terminology D996.3.2 Definitions:3.2.1 accelerationthe rate of change of velocity of a bodywith respect to time,measured in inches per second per second(metres per second per second).3.2.2 velocitythe rate of change of position of a body in aspecified direction with respect to time,measured in inches persecond(metres per second).3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.3.1 equivalent free-fall heightthe calculated height offree fall in a vacuum required for a falling body to attain ameasured or given impact velocity.3.3.2 foam-in-place cushioning materiala material that isformed by dispensing chemical components which react andexpand to produce a foam cushioning material in a container ormold.3.3.3 free rise core densitythe density of a foam sampletaken from the interior of a bun of foam(without skin)that wasproduced under unrestricted(free-rise)conditions in poundsper cubic foot(kilograms per cubic metre).3.3.4 static loadingthe applied mass in pounds(kilo-grams)divided by the area,measured in square inches(squaremetres)to which the mass is applied in pounds per squaresinches(kilograms per square metre).3.3.5 velocity changethe sum of the impact velocity andany rebound velocity.3.4 Symbols:3.4.1 gsymbol for the acceleration due to the effects of theearths gravitational pull.While somewhat variable,it isusually considered a constant of value 386 in./s/s(9.8 m/s/s).4.Summary of Test Methods4.1 The test methods consist of using the cushioning mate-rial to be tested to support a weighted test block inside apackage.The complete package is subjected to drops orcontrolled shocks and the accelerations transmitted to the testblock are measured.4.2 Either Test Method A or B may be used.However,thetwo methods will not necessarily give the same result.1These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 onPackaging and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.13 on InteriorPackaging.Current edition approved April 1,2015.Published May 2015.Originallyapproved in 1982.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D4168 95(2008)1.DOI:10.1520/D4168-95R15.2For 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 5.Significance and Use5.1 Data obtained by these methods may be used to deter-mine the transmitted shock cushioning characteristics of foam-in-place packaging materials.These data allow design ofcushioning systems that can provide adequate and efficient useof foam for protection of goods during a distribution life-cycle.5.2 These methods,in contrast to other methods that usuallytest only the cushioning foam,are designed to evaluatefoam-in-place cushioning materials in a manner in which thefoam-in-place packaging material is used.In particular,themethod includes simultaneous use of a plastic film,the foam,and the box usually used in this method of packaging.See Fig.1.6.Apparatus6.1 Test Method A:6.1.1 The free-fall drop test apparatus shall conform to therequirements as described in Test Method D5276.6.2 Test Method B:6.2.1 The shock test apparatus shall conform to the require-ments as described in Test Method D548