ASTM_D_4279_-_95_2009.pdf

Designation:D427995(Reapproved 2009)Standard Test Methods forWater Vapor Transmission of Shipping ContainersConstant and Cycle Methods1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4279;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 cover the determination of watervapor transmission rates for bulk shipping containers,asfollows:1.1.1 Method A,for Reclosable Containers,and1.1.2 Method B,for Containers Not Designed for Reclos-ing.1.2 Within each procedure details are given for the constantand cycle methods of test atmosphere.1.3 The test may be applied to the container as packed,orafter one or more performance tests such as drum(MethodD782),vibration(Methods D999),drop(Test Method D5276),impact resistance(Test Methods D880,D4003,and D5277),orperformance tests(Practice D4169),as required.1.4 For small shipping containers requiring greater accuracyin weighing,the water vapor transmission may be determinedin accordance with Test Method D895 or Test Method D1251.1.5 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.1.6 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to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D782 Test Method for Shipping Containers in RevolvingHexagonal Drum(Withdrawn 1999)3D880 Test Method for Impact Testing for Shipping Contain-ers and SystemsD895 Test Method for Water Vapor Permeability of Pack-ages(Withdrawn 1999)3D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-mentsD999 Test Methods for Vibration Testing of Shipping Con-tainersD1251 Test Method for Water Vapor Permeability of Pack-ages by Cycle Method(Withdrawn 1999)3D4003 Test Methods for Programmable Horizontal ImpactTest for Shipping Containers and SystemsD4169 Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-tainers and SystemsD5276 Test Method for Drop Test of Loaded Containers byFree FallD5277 Test Method for Performing Programmed HorizontalImpacts Using an Inclined Impact Tester3.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 water vapor transmission rate of a shipping container(constant atmosphere method)for the purpose of this testmethod,the rate at which water is transmitted into the containerfrom the test atmosphere(normally of 90 6 2%relativehumidity and a temperature of 100 6 2F(37.8 6 1.1C)surrounding it while a desiccant is sealed within.3.2.2 water vapor transmission into a container(cycleatmosphere method)for this test method,the amount of watertransmitted into the container from the test atmosphere duringone cycle while a desiccant is sealed within.3.2.3 cycleone series of test atmospheres to which the testspecimens are exposed.Normally one cycle will consist of 1week of exposure to a temperature of 0 6 5F(17.8 61These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 onPackaging and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.21 on ShippingContainers and Systems-Application of Performance Test Methods.Current edition approved March 1,2009.Published March 2009.Originallyapproved in 1983.Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D4279 95(2003).DOI:10.1520/D4279-95R09.2For 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 2.8C)to be followed by 3 weeks of exposure at a temperatureof 100 6 2F(37.8 6 1.1C)and a relative humidity of 906 2%.4.Significance and Use4.1 These test methods are normally used for the followingpurposes:4.1.1 To evaluate materials and constructions for a specifictype of container,4.1.2 To compare performance of different types of contain-ers,4.1.3 To determine adequacy of protection for a specificproduct or application,and4.1.4 To maintain quality control.METHOD ARECLOSABLE CONTAINERS5.Apparatus5.1 DesiccantA desiccant shall be used that has a power-ful affinity for water and a high drying efficiency,that is,a lowvapor pressure after absorbing a large amount of water.Thedesiccant shall be in the form of small lumps that will p