ASTM-D4332

Standard practice for conditioning containers, packages, or packaging components for testing

About ASTM-D4332

ASTM-D4332 standard testing simulates environments and conditioning atmospheres that packaging may be exposed to over time. The conditions are either historically accepted standard conditions or special laboratory conditions chosen to represent the distribution environment. Testing is completed prior to conducting transit simulation tests.

The significance and use of this standard is derived from the fact that many packaging system materials undergo changes in their physical properties over time due to temperature and relative humidity. If no time is specified, a period of at least 72 hours is recommended. ASTM-D4169 Standard Practice for Performance testing of Shipping Containers and Systems notes that different atmospheric conditions are likely to exist between the origin and destination points of a distribution cycle and should be captured within the test plan.

Conditions typically selected per the ASTM-D4169 Section 6 requirement

Typically, three of the conditions shown below are selected per the ASTM-D4169 Section 6 requirement:

Environmental ConditionTemperature, °C (°F)Relative Humidity, %

Cryogenic

-55 ± 3 (-67 ± 6)

Extreme Cold

-30 ± 2 (-22 ± 4)

Frozen

-18 ± 2 (0 ± 4)

Refrigerated

5 ± 2 (41 ± 4)

85 ± 5

Temperate High humidity

20 ± 2 (68 ± 4)

90 ± 5

Tropical

40 ± 2 (104 ± 4)

90 ± 5

Desert

60 ± 2 (140 ± 4)

15 ± 5

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