Container compression test

The container compression test measures the compressive strength of packages such as boxes, drums, and cans. It usually provides a plot of deformation vs compressive force.

It is commonly used to evaluate shipping containers made of corrugated fiberboard as well as wooden boxes and crates. Industrial and consumer packages other than boxes can also be subjected to compression testing: drum, pail, bottle, tub^[1] etc. Package components are also evaluated for compression resistance.^[2]

It is usually a laboratory test involving a special machine, a compression tester, to apply controlled compression on a test specimen. A universal testing machine is sometimes configured to perform a package compression test. Compression testing can also involve a superimposed dead load to a test package.

Compression test for corrugated box

Compression test for steel drum

Test Procedures

A common method of conducting the test, as described in several published standard test methods, is to compress a box at a constant rate of 1/2 inch (12.5 mm) per minute between two rigid platens. The platens can be fixed so that they remain parallel or one can be pivoted or "floating". The test can be conducted on empty or filled boxes, with or without a box closure. Conditioning to standard temperature and humidity is important.

The results of the constant rate of compression test can be:

The peak load
The deformation at peak load
The load at a critical deformation (head space, etc.)
The ability of a container to protect the contents from compression damage
etc.

The dynamic loads have some relationship with expected field loads.:^[3] often factors of 4 or 5 are used to estimate the allowable working load on boxes.

A test can also be conducted with platens that are not mechanically driven but are free to move with a fixed mass (or fixed force) loaded upon them. The results of static load testing can be:

The time to failure
The time to a critical deformation
The ability of a container to protect the contents from compression damage
etc.

As with any laboratory testing field validation is necessary to determine suitability.

Corrugated Box Testing

Corrugated shipping containers are exposed to compression hazards during storage and shipment. Proper compression strength is a key performance factor.

Factors potentially affecting test results

Size and construction of the specific shipping container under test
Grade and flute structure of corrugated fiberboard
moisture content of the corrugated board (based on relative humidity)^[4]
Orientation of the box during the test
Inner supports, if used during testing (wood, corrugated board, cushioning)
Contents (when box is tested with contents)
Box closure^[5]
Whether the compression machine has "fixed" or "floating" (swiveled) platens.
Previous handling or testing of box^[6]
etc.

Estimations

Corrugated fiberboard can be evaluated by many material test methods including an Edge Crush Test (ECT). There have been efforts to estimate the peak compression strength of a box (usually empty, regular singelwall slotted containers, top-to-bottom) based on various board properties. Some have involved finite element analysis.^[7] One of the commonly referenced empirical estimations was published by McKee in 1963.^[8] This used the board ECT, the MD and CD flexural stiffness, the box perimeter, and the box depth. Simplifications have used a formula involving the board ECT, the board thickness, and the box perimeter. Most estimations do not relate well to other box orientations, box styles, or to filled boxes. Physical testing of filled and closed boxes remains necessary.

Dynamic Compression

Containers can be subjected to compression forces that involve distribution dynamics. For example, a package may be impacted by an object being dropped onto it (vertical load) or impacted by freight sliding into it (horizontal load). Vehicle vibration can involve a stack of containers and create dynamic compression responses.^[9] Package testing methods are available to evaluate these compression dynamics.

References

↑ Varzinskas, Visvadas; Jurgis Kazimieras Staniškis; Alis Lebedys; Edmundas Kibirkštis; Valdas Miliūnas (2009). "Life Cycle Assessment of Common Plastic Packaging for Reducing Environmental Impact and Material Consumption". Environmental Research, Engineering and Management 50 (4): 57–65. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
↑ Urbanek, T; Lee, Johnson, Column Compression Strength of Tubular Packaging Forms Made of Paper (PDF) 34,6, Journal of Testing and Evaluation, pp. 31–40, retrieved 12 December 2011
↑ Burgess, G; Singh, Srinagyam (July 2005). "Predicting Collapse Times for Corrugated Boxes Under Top Load". Astm Jte 33 (4).
↑ Miltz, J; Rosen-Doody (February 1981). "Effect of atmospheric environment on the performance of corrugated". Packaging Technology: 19–23.
↑ Sheehan, R (August 1988). "Box and Closure: Partners in Performance". J. Packaging Technology (Technical Publications Inc) 2 (4).
↑ Singh, S. P.; Pratheepthinthong (July 2000). "Loss of Compression Strength in Corrugated Shipping Containers Shipped in the Single Parcel Environment". J. Testing and Evaluation 28 (4).
↑ Urbanik, T J (July 1981). "Effect of paperboard stress strain characteristics on strength of singlewall corrugated boxes". US Forest Products Laboratory Report. FPL 401.
↑ McKee, R C; Gander, Wachuta (August 1963). "Compression strength formula for corrugated boxes". Paperboard Packaging 48 (8).
↑ Godshall, D (1971). "Frequency response, damping, and transmissibility of top loaded corrugated containers" (PDF). US Forest Products Laboratory Report. FPL 160. Retrieved 28 June 2011.

Relevant Standards

ASTM Standard D642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads.
ASTM Standard D4577 Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Container Under Constant Load
ASTM Standard D7030 Test Method for Short Term Creep Performance of Corrrugated Fiberboard Containers Under Constant Load Using a Compression Test Machine
German Standard DIN 55440-1 Packaging Test; compression test; test with a constant conveyance-speed
ISO 12048 Packaging—Complete, filled transport packages—Compression and stacking tests using a compression tester

Packaging

General topics	Active packaging Child-resistant packaging Disposable food packaging Food packaging Luxury packaging Modified atmosphere/modified humidity packaging Package pilferage Package testing Packaging engineering Pharmaceutical packaging Reusable packaging Shelf life Sustainable packaging Tamper-evident Tamper resistance Wrap rage

Containers	Aerosol spray Aluminium bottle Aluminum can Ampoule Antistatic bag Bag-in-box Bags and flexible containers Barrel Biodegradable bag Blister pack Bottle Box Bulk box Carboy Carton Chub Clamshell Corrugated box design Crate Drum Envelope Flexible intermediate bulk container Foam food container Folding carton Insulated shipping container Intermediate bulk container Jar Jerrycan Jug Juicebox Keg Matryoshka doll Multi-pack Oyster pail Packet (container) Padded mailer Pail Paper bag Paper sack Plastic bag Plastic bottle Popcorn bag Retort pouch Sachet Security bag Self-heating can Self-heating food packaging Shaker-style pantry box Shipping container Skin pack Spray bottle Tin can Tube Unit load Vial Wooden box

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Environment, post-use	Biodegradation Environmental engineering Glass recycling Industrial ecology Life-cycle assessment Litter Paper recycling Plastic recycling Recycling Reusable packaging Reverse logistics Source reduction Sustainable packaging Waste management

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