ASTM D642-15
Standard Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
- Standard No.
- ASTM D642-15
- Release Date
- 2015
- Published By
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
- Status
- Replace By
- ASTM D642-20
- Latest
- ASTM D642-20
- Scope
4.1 Compressive resistance is one of the properties used to evaluate the ability of shipping containers, components, and unit loads to successfully survive the compressive forces they are subjected to during storage and distribution (see Note 1).
Note 1: For constant load test refer to Test Method D4577.
4.2 Compressive resistance may be determined with either fixed- or swiveled-platen-type testing machines. However, a fixed-head compression machine is required to perform edge-to-edge and corner-to-corner orientations on test specimens (see Note 2). Also, unit loads are generally tested only in the top-to-bottom orientation.
Note 2: Fixed-platen machines generally cause corrugated box specimens to fail at their strongest point, while swivel-platen machines cause corrugated box specimens to fail at their weakest point.5 The swiveled platen is allowed to move to the weakest point of the container.
1.1 This test method covers compression tests on shipping containers (for example, boxes and drums) or components, or both. Shipping containers may be tested with or without contents. The procedure may be used for measuring the ability of the container to resist external compressive loads applied to its faces, to diagonally opposite edges, or to corners (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). This test method covers testing of multiple containers or unit loads, in addition to individual shipping containers, components, materials, or combination thereof.
1.2 The test method of applying load may be used to compare the characteristics of a given design of container with a standard, or to compare the characteristics of containers differing in construction.
1.3 This test method is related to TAPPI T804, which is similar for fixed platen machines but does not recognize swivel platen machines. This test method fulfills the requirements of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Test Method 12048. The ISO standards may not meet the requirements for this test method.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ASTM D642-15 Referenced Document
- ASTM D4169 Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
- ASTM D4332 Standard Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
- ASTM D4442 Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
- ASTM D4577 Standard Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant Load
- ASTM D685 Standard Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products for Testing
- ASTM D996 Standard Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
- ASTM E122 Standard Practice for Calculating Sample Size to Estimate, With a Specified Tolerable Error, the Average for Characteristic of a Lot or Process
- ASTM E4 Standard Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
- ISO 12048 Packaging - Complete, filled transport packages - Compression and stacking tests using a compression tester
ASTM D642-15 history
- 2020 ASTM D642-20 Standard Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
- 2015 ASTM D642-15 Standard Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
- 2000 ASTM D642-00(2010) Standard Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
- 2000 ASTM D642-00(2005)e1 Standard Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
- 2000 ASTM D642-00(2005) Standard Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
- 2000 ASTM D642-00 Standard Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads
