Standard Title
Test Method for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems
Overview for ASTM D4169 Performance Testing:
ASTM D4169 Performance Testing is the primary starting point for testing and validating packaging systems for Distribution. By comparing your packaging systems to the hazards that will happen in distribution, the correct distribution cycle will be selected. This distribution cycle is shown to closely simulate the environment the packaging system will experience through shipping. Purple Diamond Testing offers ASTM D 4169 Testing as part of our packaging compliance and validation services. Purple Diamond Testing offers ASTM D4169 as part of our packaging compliance.
This testing standard supplies companies and users of this method with a guide for the evaluation of loads shipping following a particular distribution system. The test methods are set up and are used at different intervals and levels of actual distribution. Each recommended test is determined to be of use depending on the specific shipping and handling environment, as well as the current level of technical expectation as it pertains to the laws in place by both industry and government. The tests should be performed at any given time, but in sequence with the same containers. It is important that the packaged goods stay unopened during the entirety of the test to ensure correct analysis and findings. This may change though, if the packaged goods are in a different part of the development phase, such as the engineering or design of said packaged goods. It may be helpful to inspect the packaged goods inside to see how they are affected at each interval, under each condition. If, the customer wants to have better container closure integrity, different options may be assessed and evaluated to see which ones work best for the given packaged goods.
The different simulated distribution cycles include (and may change in order),
DC1 – A general distribution cycle
DC2 – A specially defined distribution cycle
DC3 – A single package without a pallet or skid
DC4 – A single package with a pallet or skid
DC5 – A motor freight, not unitized
DC6 – A motor freight, LTL-unitized
DC7 – A rail only, bulk load
DC8 – A rail only, unitized load
DC9 – A rail and motor freight, not unitized
DC10 – A rail and motor freight, unitized loads
DC11 – A rail, with trailer or container on flatcar
DC12 – An air distribution with motor freight for over 150 lbs.
DC13 – An air distribution with motor freight for under 150 lbs.
DC14 – A warehousing distribution cycle
DC15 – An export/import shipment of a container
DC16 – An export/import shipment for a palletized cargo ship
DC17 – An export/import shipment for break bulk cargo ship
DC18 – A non-commercial government shipment distribution cycle
Rationale of ASTM D4169 Performance Testing:
ASTM D4169: Standard Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems. Can be used to simulate Motor Freight, Rail & Air shipping environments. The standard is used to recreate hazards associated with distribution in a laboratory environment to evaluate and ideally perfect packaging systems.
According to ASTM.org:
“1.1 This practice provides a uniform basis for evaluating, in a laboratory, the ability of shipping units to withstand the distribution environment. This is conducted by subjecting them to a test plan consisting of a sequence of anticipated hazard elements encountered in various distribution cycles. This practice is not intended to supplant material specifications or existing reshipment test procedures.
1.2 Consider the use of Practice D7386 for testing packages for single parcel shipments.
1.3 The suitability of this practice for use with hazardous materials has not been decided.
1.4 The values are said in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are supplied for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to set up proper safety, health, and environmental practices and figure out the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.”
Working together in partnership, our experts and your engineers will decide on which distribution cycle to evaluate. Every company and its shipped packaged products will have a different distribution path. It’s important to home in on that before the actual testing is started. Doing so will ensure that the samples given to Purple Diamond will be evaluated, analyzed, and reported on as accurately as possible. To be successful in finding exactly what your packaged products distribution cycle is, we will need to consider all the steps that the package will take through its journey from Point A to Point B. Will the packaged product hit turbulence due to being in a plane? Will the package only be traveling via truck, experiencing only short vibrations? Does your package have to travel across the sea at any point, enduring potential external harsh weather conditions? Will your package experience all three, air, sea, and land? It’s up to us to work together in order to figure that out. Then the ASTM D4169 testing process can begin.
As mentioned earlier, there are a total of 18 different types of distribution cycles that include: air, train, truck, boat, and more. Each of the distribution cycles aims to be as realistic as possible to yield the most exact results. Each distribution channel stands for a combination of travel types along with the associated risks they pose to the packaged product being evaluated. For example, one of the distribution channels stands for a distribution process that involves intercity air freight as well as local truck freight for a single packaged product weighing up to 150 lbs. This scenario is typical and is simulated often. Other distribution channels are more in depth and difficult to prepare for, but nevertheless, possible and necessary.
Once the distribution cycle is chosen, an assurance level needs to be chosen next. The assurance level is selected based on the likelihood of certain events occurring, such as dropping from certain heights, being compressed to certain extents, and vibrating at various levels of intensity.
The parameters for ASTM D4169 testing include:
- Distribution Cycle: 1 to 18
- Assurance Level: I to III
- Number of Samples: 1 or more for critical shipments
- Specimen Dimensions: Same as the actual distribution
- Conditioning and Testing Temperature: Ambient unless specified otherwise
- Conditioning and Testing Relative Humidity: Ambient unless specified otherwise
Key Points and Takeaways of ASTM D4169:
- Packing Distribution Simulation
- Provides a guide to evaluate packaging systems in the laboratory environment
- 16 simulated distribution cycles to select from when building the test plan
- Consider ASTM D7386 for small parcel shipping
Related Standards to ASTM D4169:
- ASTM D 4728
- ASTM D 7386
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Related Testing Standards
- ASTM D642
- ASTM D685
- ASTM D880
- ASTM D951
- ASTM D999
- ASTM D3078
- ASTM D3103
- ASTM D3285
- ASTM D4169
- ASTM D4332
- ASTM D4728
- ASTM D5265
- ASTM D5276
- ASTM D5277
- ASTM D5487
- ASTM D6055
- ASTM D6179
- ASTM D6344
- ASTM D6653
- ASTM D7386
- ASTM F88
- ASTM F1140
- ASTM F1886
- ASTM F1929
- ASTM F1980
- ASTM F2096
- ASTM F2250
- ASTM F3039
- ASTM D1596
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Specific Tests and/or Properties Measured | Specification, Standard, Method, or Test Technique | Items, Materials or Product Tested | Key Equipment or Technology |
ASTM D642, ASTM D4169 49 CFR 178.606, 178.815 (d)(2) & 178.980 (d)(2) ISTA 1C / ISTA 1D ISTA 2A / ISTA 2B ISTA 3E / ISTA 3F ISTA 3H / ISTA 6 – AMAZON.COM-SIOC, ISTA 6-SAMSCLUB/ ISTA 6- FEDEX A & B | Any Packaging or Product not Exceeding 5 000 lbs | Compression System | |
ASTM D880, ASTM D4169 ISTA 1A / ISTA 1B ISTA 1C / ISTA 1D ISTA 1E / ISTA 1G ISTA 1H / ISTA 2A ISTA 2B / ISTA 2C ISTA 3B / ISTA 3E / ISTA 6-AMAZON.COM-SIOC, ISTA 6-SAMSCLUB ISTA 6- FEDEX A & B | Any Packaging or Product not Exceeding 5 000 lbs | Incline Impact Tester | |
ASTM D999, ASTM D4169 49 CFR 178.608, 178.819 & 178.985 ISTA 1A / ISTA 1B ISTA 1C / ISTA 1D ISTA 1E / ISTA 2A / ISTA 2B | Any Packaging or Product not Exceeding 5 000 lbs | Vibration System | |
ASTM D4332, ASTM D4169 ASTM D7386, ASTM F2825 ISTA 1C / ISTA 1D ISTA 2A / ISTA 2B ISTA 2C / ISTA 3A ISTA 3B / ISTA 3E ISTA 3F / ISTA 3H ISTA 6 / ISTA 7D, ISO 2233 / ISTA 6 – AMAZON.COM-SIOC, ISTA 6-SAMSCLUB/ ISTA 6- FEDEX A & B | Any Packaging or Product not Exceeding 5 000 lbs | Temperature / Humidity Chamber | |
ASTM D4728, ASTM D4169 ISTA 1C / ISTA 1D ISTA 1E / ISTA 1G ISTA 1H / ISTA 2A ISTA 2B / ISTA 2C ISTA 3A / ISTA 3B ISTA 3E / ISTA 3F / ISTA 6 – AMAZON.COM-SIOC, ISTA 6-SAMSCLUB/ ISTA 6- FEDEX A & B | Any Packaging or Product not Exceeding 5 000 lbs | Vibration System | |
ASTM D5265, ASTM D4169 ASTM D7386, ISTA 3A / ISTA 3B / ISTA 6 – AMAZON.COM-SIOC, ISTA 6-SAMSCLUB/ ISTA 6- FEDEX A & B | Any Packaging or Product not Exceeding 5 000 lbs | Hazard Unit Free Fall Drop Tester | |
ASTM D5276, ASTM D4169 49 CFR 178.603, 178.810 & 178.965, ISTA 1A / ISTA 1B ISTA 1C / ISTA 1D ISTA 1G / ISTA 1H ISTA 2A / ISTA 2B ISTA 2C / ISTA 3A ISTA 3B / ISTA 3F / ISTA 6 – AMAZON.COM-SIOC, ISTA 6-SAMSCLUB/ ISTA 6- FEDEX A & B | Any Packaging or Product not Exceeding 5 000 lbs | Free Fall Drop Tester | |
ASTM D6055, ASTM D4169 ISTA 2F / ISTA 3B / ISTA 6-AMAZON.COM-SIOC / ISTA 6-SAMSCLUB | Any Packaging or Product not Exceeding 5 000 lbs | Fork Truck | |
ASTM D6179, ASTM D4169 ASTM D7386, ISTA 1B / ISTA 1D ISTA 1E / ISTA 1H ISTA 2B / ISTA 2C ISTA 3A / ISTA 3B ISTA 3E / ISTA 3H ISTA 6, SAMSCLUB | Any Packaging or Product not Exceeding 5 000 lbs | Fork Truck | |
ASTM D6653, ASTM D4169 ASTM D7386, ISTA 3A | Any Packaging or Product not Exceeding 5 000 lbs | Vacuum Chamber | |
Sinusoidal Vibration | ASTM D3580 | Any Packaging or Product not Exceeding 5 000 lbs | Vibration Systems |
Concentrated Impact Testing | ASTM D6344, ASTM D4169 ASTM D7386, ISTA 6, FEDEX A | Any packaging or Product not Exceeding 5 000 lbs | Dart |
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The APASS program was designed by Amazon to help support vendors, sellers, and manufacturers in obtaining certification of their products as Frustration Free Packaging (FFP), Ships in Own Container (SIOC), or Prep-Free Packaging (PFP).
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