The scope of the ASTM D4332 test is to provide standard, special conditioning and test environments that can be used to simulate field conditions. The conditions that the container, package or package will meet are imitated.
ASTM D4332 is used to condition a pack before the desired test. It is often used for conditioning when conducting transit simulation tests. ASTM D4332 describes conditioning procedures for the test material to reach equilibrium with the atmosphere to which it will be exposed.
When the temperature and humidity change, many materials used to make containers and packaging change the physical shape. Therefore, the pack should be kept in a consistent atmosphere for a period of time to produce repeatable physical properties that can be measured. The conditions chosen may be a historically accepted standard or special laboratory condition. Special conditions are not necessarily real field conditions. However, they simulate field conditions so that the effects on packages and materials are related to actual field performance.
It is important to try to be as accurate and effective as possible when measuring temperature and relative humidity. Measurements should be taken as close as possible to the test sample. Note that temperature and relative humidity may be different at various points in the conditioned area. The absence of air circulation can cause conditions for the controller to differ from the sample.
ASTM provided a procedure that must be followed when conditioning under ASTM D4332.
Obtain containers, packages or packaging components. The number of samples required for conditioning will be determined by the number required for testing. These samples may require preconditioning if they are made of materials (such as chipboard) that are affected by more than 40% changes in moisture. Packages sealed with a watery adhesive must be sealed well in advance so that the water in the adhesive does not affect the condition.
The test sample should then be placed in the conditioning chamber (chamber). The package should remain in the room for the time required by the particular test procedure. If a test does not specify a time period, the sample must be exposed to conditions for at least 72 hours or the time required to reach equilibrium (may be shorter or longer than 72 hours). The package should be supported so that all surfaces are exposed to the conditioning atmosphere.
If possible, testing should be done within the specified conditioning atmosphere. However, if this is not possible, testing should be done immediately after sampling the test conditioning atmosphere. Finally, the testing facility will provide a comprehensive report as specified in ASTM D4332 standards.
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