ASTM D951 Water Resistance Laboratory Package Testing
ASTM D951 testing covers the determination of water resistance in shipping containers. As an ISTA and ISO 17025 certified lab, we realize the importance of ASTM D951 testing. Meeting the ASTM D951 water resistance requirements can be difficult. We understand the challenges and guide companies through the process.
Keystone Compliance partners with customers to achieve package compliance. We have a reputation of helping customers achieve their package certifications. When packages do not meet the requirements, we assist with finding solutions. Keystone provides the peace of mind that all of your needs will be met.
Request a quote to receive testing services customized to your specific needs. Have a question about water resistance of shipping containers? Contact us and we will determine the best course of action.
ASTM D951 Water Resistance of Shipping Containers by Spray
ASTM D951 testing determines the ability of a shipping container to resist water. Water can adversely affect the contents of packages, but can also deteriorate the container over time. ASTM D-951 compliance is used to evaluate both conditions.
This ingress protection test is just one of several IP Code tests that can be conducted in enclosures and cases. However, it is also considered a package testing standard as well. From a package testing perspective, it is typically combined with other packaging tests including drop testing, impact testing, vibration testing and compression testing.
The overall goal of the integrity test is to ensure that contents of the shipping container effectively protect its contents from the harmful effects of transportation and storage. The degree of protection from the water spray test is an essential component of ASTM-D951 testing.
The ASTM D 951 test method requires at least three containers. The containers must be closed and sealed as they normally would be when used to transport products. The ASTM-D-951 package testing standard does not permit the testing of a “golden unit”.
The enclosure to be tested must be any random one from production. ASTM D951 compliance testing requires some of the shipping containers to be empty. At the same time, some of the containers must have the contents they are made to ship.
To complete the ASTM D951 IP Code testing, an ingress protection test lab such as Keystone Compliance needs to have substantial equipment and capabilities. Included below are details taken directly from the ASTM D951 test standard that Keystone can comply to:
Liquid conditioning and control equipment:
- Spray nozzles. The ASTM-D951 water resistance lab must use special nozzles. These nozzles must be of such size and so spaced that the specified intensity of spray falls uniformly distributed over the floor area. The spray nozzles must be located such that the droplets are falling from gravitational force only when they strike the equipment under test.
- Flow Control Valves must be used to control the intensity of the spray. This liquid enclosure test specifies the water spray intensity and water pressure.
- A reservoir for storage and conditioning of the spray water should be used. The reservoir needs to be equipped with an overflow to a sewer and with a drain to facilitate changing the water at the start of each test. Make-up water, regulated by a float control, needs to be discharged into this tank.
- A thermostatically controlled means of heating and cooling the water is required. This ensures the ASTM-D951 lab is using a water supply that is at the desired temperature.
- A circulating system is usually required. This typically consists of a fine-mesh strainer, pump, relief by-pass, gages, and pressure regulating valve. These components are tied into the ingress controller, flow control valves, spray nozzles, spray rack, and water reservoir to create the system.
Conditioning and containment equipment:
- Equipment to provide the appropriate conditioning is required. These facilities must provide for conditioning test specimens at proper humidity and temperature prior and during testing.
- A water-resistant test room or cabinet must be used. This should ideally be insulated and heated when necessary so that proper temperature control can be maintained. The bottom of the room or booth typically has a false floor of slats and an outlet drain.
Expert ASTM D951 Water Resistance Integrity Testing
Keystone Compliance is a leader in testing the ASTM D951 ingress protection test. With significant experience, we specialize in providing testing. Almost as important, we also specialize with developing the test plan and identifying potential solutions when enclosures do not meet the requirements.
Our ingress protection lab scope is limitless. Our liquid testing scope includes dripping water, spraying water, water jets, water immersion testing and high temperature and high pressure water. In addition to water ingress protection testing, we also offer dust ingress testing as well.
Keystone Compliance can accommodate test items of any size including building enclosure testing. We can test all ingress protection ratings, also known as IP ratings.
We also offer testing to several other military and commercial ingress protection standards. These include MIL-STD 750 Method 1011.1, MIL-STD 883 1002, and RTCA DO-160 Section 10.0 Waterproofness Testing. Some of the more common commercial standards include NEMA 250, IEC 60529, ASTM D951 and ISO 20653.
Contact us or request a quote and find out firsthand why so many companies trust Keystone Compliance as their ASTM D951 sustainability and compliance testing lab.