ASTM D951-17 (2024) PDF

Full title and description

Standard Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Containers by Spray Method — designation ASTM D951-17(2024). This method specifies a laboratory spray procedure to evaluate a shipping container’s resistance to water exposure and its ability to protect internal contents during handling and transport.

Abstract

ASTM D951-17(2024) provides a short, repeatable spray-test procedure to assess the water resistance of filled shipping containers. The procedure defines apparatus, water temperature and spray intensity control, specimen conditioning and placement, test duration and observation/reporting of water ingress or container degradation. The method is commonly applied as a standalone environmental test or combined with drop, vibration, impact or compression tests to simulate realistic distribution hazards.

General information

• Status: Active (current ASTM standard, reapproved/updated in 2024).
• Publication date: Reapproved/updated October 2024 (designation shown as D951-17(2024)).
• Publisher: ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: 55.040 (Packaging materials and accessories) — packaging and distribution test methods.
• Edition / version: D951-17 (reaffirmed/updated 2024 — commonly cited as D951-17(2024)).
• Number of pages: 3 pages (concise test method).

Scope

This test method covers determination of the water resistance of shipping containers by a standardized spray exposure. It is intended to show whether a container resists deterioration from water attack or will protect contents from water ingress. The spray test is routinely used before or after other distribution tests (drop, vibration, inclined impact, compression) and may be combined with Practice D4169 environmental sequences where applicable.

Key topics and requirements

• Test purpose: assess water penetration, container degradation and content protection under controlled water-spray conditions.
• Apparatus: defined spray nozzles/rig, calibrated spray intensity, drainage/collection arrangements and thermostatic water-temperature control.
• Specimen conditioning and selection: conditioning to specified temperature/humidity and selection of representative, filled containers (minimum sample counts).
• Procedure: specified spray duration and sequencing, sample placement/stacking, and any pre/post-test handling instructions.
• Evaluation and reporting: visual inspection for water ingress, assessment of packaging integrity, condition of contents, and standardized reporting of results and deviations.
• Integration with other tests: guidance to use in combination with drop, vibration (D999, D4728), compression (D642) and Practice D4169 when conducting distribution simulation programs.

Typical use and users

Packaging engineers, quality/control laboratories, third‑party test houses, manufacturers, shippers, e-commerce fulfilment operations, and defense/logistics organizations use this standard to verify that box designs, seals, and internal packaging protect products from water exposure in transit. Testing labs frequently apply D951 together with other ASTM distribution tests to produce a broad picture of package robustness.

Related standards

Commonly referenced companion standards and practices include ASTM D4169 (Performance Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems / environmental sequences), ASTM D999 and D4728 (vibration testing methods), ASTM D5276 (drop test), ASTM D642 (compression / stacking), and conditioning practices such as D4332. These standards are often used together to simulate distribution hazards comprehensively.

Keywords

water resistance, spray method, shipping container, packaging test, environmental test, ASTM D951-17, distribution testing, packaging performance, D10 committee, ICS 55.040.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D951-17(2024) is the Standard Test Method for Water Resistance of Shipping Containers by Spray Method — a concise ASTM procedure to evaluate how well filled shipping containers resist water spray and protect contents.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It defines the spray apparatus, water temperature/intensity control, specimen conditioning and placement, test sequence/duration and criteria for inspecting containers and contents for water ingress or deterioration. It is designed to be used alone or with other distribution tests.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Packaging designers, test laboratories, shippers, logistics teams and compliance/quality professionals use D951 to validate packaging designs and to support decisions on seals, internal cushioning and overpack requirements. Third‑party testing houses and industry labs often perform the method to support customer or regulatory requirements.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The D951-17 edition has been reaffirmed/updated and is current as D951-17(2024). Users should refer to the ASTM document summary for the official status and any later amendments.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: D951 is part of the suite of ASTM packaging and distribution standards maintained by Committee D10. It is commonly applied alongside Practice D4169 (distribution simulation) and other ASTM test methods for vibration, drop and compression.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Water resistance; spray; shipping container; packaging; environmental testing; D951; distribution testing; packaging integrity.