ASTM_D_1185_-_98a_2009.pdf

Designation:D118598a(Reapproved 2009)Standard Test Methods forPallets and Related Structures Employed in MaterialsHandling and Shipping1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1185;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.This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S.Department of Defense.1.Scope1.1 These test methods cover the performance of pallets andrelated structures,functioning as skids,bases,platforms,andbins in materials handling and shipping.Their use facilitatesthe protection of both packaged and unpackaged productsduring storage and transportation.The test methods includemeasurements of the relative resistance of pallets and relatedstructures to deformations,damages,and structural failureswhich detrimentally affect the functionality of the unit load.1.2 These test methods include conditioning requirements,static stiffness and strength tests,and dynamic tests of struc-tural reliability.These test methods are used to evaluate therelative performance of new,used,or reconditioned generaland special-purpose pallets fabricated from various materialsincludingsolidwood,woodcomposites,fiberboard,honeycomb,plastics,or metal,or to compare the performanceof such pallets and related structures to specified performancecriteria.Recommended criteria for all tests specified in thisstandard are listed in Appendix X2.1.2.1 These test methods are also used to classify pallets assingle-or multiple-use pallets and to determine the safeworking loads for pallets under specified load and supportconditions.1.3 Nonmandatory Preliminary Tests Because each palletmay be used under several different conditions of load andsupport,pallet-design considerations and safe working-loadestimates shall be based on that condition under which thepallet offers least resistance or is most severely stressed.1.3.1 Preliminary,short-duration static tests up to the ulti-mate(see 8.2,8.3,and 8.4)shall be performed on previouslynon-tested pallets to determine which load and support condi-tions influence most severely the pallet load-carrying capacityand safe working loads.1.3.2 During the development of prototypes leading todesigns that will be subject to acceptance testing,as describedin 1.4,these preliminary tests shall include the free-fall droptests in accordance with 9.1.1.4 Mandatory Acceptance Tests:1.4.1 General-Purpose PalletsWhen the objective of thetest is to determine the safe working load or to classify ageneral-purpose pallet as a single-or multiple-use pallet,alltests described in these test methods shall be performed in theorder specified.The same pallet shall be used for all static anddynamic tests,where feasible.1.4.2 Special-Purpose PalletsWhen the objective of thetest is to determine the safe working load or to classify aspecial-purpose pallet,as a single-or multiple-use pallet,onlythose tests representing the intended condition of use shall beperformed.Certain specialpurpose pallet designs,because ofthe pallet size,its shape,or the material of fabrication,orcombinations thereof,cannot be reliably tested using thismethodology.When available,alternative test methods shouldbe used.1.4.3 Field Testing It is recommended that pallet designspassing these acceptance tests be further subjected to fieldtesting in the distribution environment.1.5 Simulation of the Distribution EnvironmentThese testmethods are not intended to lead to exact simulations of palletperformance in the distribution environment.These test meth-ods are designed to relate to practice with the added provisionthat they are repeatable,do not depend on exceptional skills,and are safe to conduct without elaborate precautions.The testfindings are not expected to lead to unalterable conclusions.Testing in the distribution environment may be necessary toverify the results obtained from laboratory tests.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.Specific warningsare given in 9.5.3.5.1These 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 1951.Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D1185 98a(2003).DOI:10.1520/D1185-98AR09.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistanceo