Welcome to the latest edition of DDL’s PackReview video series. In this edition, DDL Packaging Engineers Scott Levy and Peter Johnson discuss the recent updates to ASTM -D4169 and address the following questions.
- What are differences between ASTM D4169-14 and ASTM D4169-16?
- Why they made the change?
- Why the change is important?
- What are the questions we have been receiving from clients?
The ASTM D4169 standard has recently been updated, which is causing some controversy within the industry and raising questions about what version to use: ASTM D4169-14 or D4169-16.
The difference between ASTM D4169-14 and ASTM D4169-16 is how the truck vibration testing is performed. ASTM D4169-14 utilizes static assurance levels for the truck vibration profile. An assurance level is the overall intensity level that you are going to subject your packages to while undergoing vibration. ASTM D4169-16 incorporates the various test intensities (low, medium, high) and durations into one truck vibration profile.
The reason for the change is that outdated data was being used. What does that mean? It means that if you have used these procedures in the past you may have been over testing your package. This is important because, if you are only doing distribution simulation once, you are testing at an extremely high threshold and seeing consistent failures that you are not seeing in the real world.
The revision to ASTM D4169-16 was done to give a clearer and concise laboratory profile to better mimic what is truly happening in the industry and also to your packages. They have adjusted your vibrations in the new update. The assurance levels are still intact with ASTM D4169-16 excluding Schedule E vibration testing. Changes to Schedule E were with the truck vibration profile. The recent data collected in the field shown in the previous vibration profiles in the truck spectrum were no longer accurate. The changes have been made to the truck spectrum, the actual profile spectrum, test intensities and test duration.
Many of our customers are asking if they can still use version ASTM D4169- 14 instead of ASTM D4169-16. Using ASTM D4169-14 is still acceptable if you feel more comfortable using vibration testing at the high intensity level. However, you must take note the intensity levels with ASTM D4169-14 are more severe than what your samples will see on a regular basis and this may increase the chance of a causing a failure with your testing.
For more detail on the information, please watch the video above to help answer any questions you may have.
Thank you for watching DDL Inc PackReview series on the updates to ASTM-D4169. If you have any questions please contact us to speak with one of our packaging engineers.
