ASTM-D4332
About ASTM-D4332
ASTM-D4332 provides for conditioning atmospheres that are used prior to conducting transit simulation tests. The conditions are either historically accepted standard conditions or special laboratory conditions chosen to represent the distribution environment.
The significance and use of this standard is derived from the fact that many materials from which packaging systems are fabricated undergo changes in their physical properties over time as a function of temperature and relative humidity. If no time is specified, a period of at least 72 h 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 Condition | Temperature, °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 |
