ISTA Procedure 1C Individual Packaged Products 150 lb or Less

ISTA 1C or ISTA Procedure 1C Packaged Products – Extended Testing for Packaged-Products 150 lb. (68 kg) or Less. Can be used to compare relative performance of package and product design variations using compressive force, vibration (random or fixed displacement), and shock tests (drop or incline impact). The procedure is used to create harsh worst-case hazards in a laboratory environment while comparing multiple design variation packaging systems.

Much like Procedure 1A and 1B, the test categories are similarly the same, with some slight differences: atmosphere preconditioning, compression conditioning, vibration, and shock. The main difference is the compression conditioning from the other procedures. Some of the test types for Procedure 1C include, but are not limited to temperature and humidity, machine or static, fixed displacement, random, drop, incline impact, and horizontal impact. 

There are a few different compression tests, which include but are not limited to: the apply and release test and the apply and hold test. The systems use include a compression test system and a weight and load spreader. Other equipment needed to complete the procedure includes a vibration test system, a rotary, metal shim, tachometer and stopwatch.  The types of shock tests include but are not limited to, the drop test, the vertical shock test, the alternative incline test, and the alternative horizontal test. These tests are all in relevance to ASTM D5276, ASTM D5487, ASTM D880, and ASTM D4003. Before beginning the actual tests, we will find the faces, edges, and corners according to the proper procedure protocols. Also, before we begin, we will come to know the packaged products’ weight as well as all its dimensions, including the length, width, and height in inches or meters. There is also a conditioning requirement before the vibration and impact tests begin. Compression test systems use the apply and release test force as well as the apply and hold test force. The weight and load spreader uses the dead weight test load. Packaging engineers will then decide the test force or load that is to be used in the compression conditioning block. “For the vibration system testing, a restraining device or devices shall be used with the vibration test system in order to prevent the test specimen from moving off the platform and to maintain test orientation of the packaged product, but also the device shall not restrict the vertical motion of the test sample during the test, ” according to the ISTA booklet. 

The pre-conditioning protocol is the same. The packaged product sample should be stored at laboratory temperature and humidity for at least 12 hours before testing begins. When testing starts, the temperature and humidity need to be recorded again. And of course, at the end of the test performance, the temperature and humidity need to be recorded again. 

Next step is the compression testing part of this procedure. Finally, the test will be reported to the International Safe Transit Association so the test itself can become certified. Purple Diamond is a proud ISTA Certified Laboratory.