For 2024

To all new and existing customers please DOWNLOAD THE NEW TERMS OF SERVICE for doing business with Pro-Pack Testing Laboratory, Inc.

This document contains some significant changes to the way we are doing business from this point forward and also contains valuable information on how to most efficiently utilize our testing services. There are some significant changes and we have tried to make things easier from this point going forward. If after reading this document, any questions can be directed to our Project Coordinator Noah Harper n.harper@propacktestlab.com or contact us at support@propacktestlab.com

Test Sequence for ISTA Series Test Procedure 3A

Basis Weights of Corrugated Board

When the outer package is a corrugated box it is recommended that the basis weights of the papers/paperboards used in making the box be determined and documented. If these weights change a retest is considered appropriate.

Standard, Elongated & Flat Package Product Test

Sequence 1: Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1 using temperature and humidity at an ambient level. This sequence is required.

Sequence 2: Atmospheric Conditioning TEST BLOCK 1using controlled temperature and humidity with temperature and humidity chosen from a chart. This sequence is optional.

Sequence 3: Shock Testing TEST BLOCK 3 using drop testing with 9 drops varying height and packaged product weight. This sequence is required.

Sequence 4: Vibration Testing TEST BLOCK 4 & 7 for Standard and TEST BLOCK 5 & 7 for pails and short cylinders: Using random with and without top load with a test level of overall Grms level of .53 and .46. This sequence is required.

Sequence 5: Vibration Testing TEST BLOCKS 2 & 8: Using random vibration under low pressure. The test level is truck or truck & air dependent. This sequence is optional.

Sequence 6: Shock Testing TEST BLOCK 9 using drop testing 8 drops varying height and packaged product weight. Includes drop on hazard. This sequence is required.

Sequence 7: Shock Testing TEST BLOCK 10 using rotational edge drop testing from 200mm (8 in). This sequence is required for flat and elongated.

Sequence 8: Shock Testing TEST BLOCK 11 using concentrated impact testing – height varies with packaged product dimensions. This sequence is required for flat and elongated.

Sequence 9: Shock Testing TEST BLOCK 12 using full rotational flat drop testing hazard box dropped 400mm (16 in). This sequence is required for flat only.

Sequence 10: Shock Testing TEST BLOCK 13 using bridge impact testing hazard box dropped 400mm (16 in). This sequence is required for elongated only.

Sequence 11: Integrity Testing TEST BLOCK 14 leak test for 8 hours. This sequence is required for liquids only.

Small Package Product Test

Sequence 1: Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1 using temperature and humidity at an ambient level. This sequence is required.

Sequence 2: Atmospheric Conditioning TEST BLOCK 1using controlled temperature and humidity with temperature and humidity chosen from a chart. This sequence is optional.

Sequence 3: Shock Testing TEST BLOCK 3 using drop testing (not in a bag) with 9 drops varying height and packaged product weight. This sequence is required.

Sequence 4: Vibration Testing TEST BLOCK 6 & 7 Using random with and without top load with a test level of overall Grms level of .53 and .46. This sequence is required.

Sequence 5: Vibration Testing TEST BLOCKS 2 & 8: Using random vibration under low pressure. The test level is truck or truck & air dependent. This sequence is optional.

Sequence 6: Shock Testing TEST BLOCK 9 using drop testing (in a bag) 7 drops varying height and packaged product weight. This sequence is required.

Sequence 7: Integrity Testing TEST BLOCK 14 leak test for 8 hours. This sequence is required for liquids only.

Required Equipment for ISTA Series Test Procedure 3A

Atmospheric Conditioning: A Humidity recording apparatus complying with the apparatus section of ISO 2233 or ASTM D 4332, and a Temperature recording apparatus complying with the apparatus section of ISO 2233 or ASTM D 4332.

Optional Atmospheric Conditioning: A chamber and control apparatus complying with the apparatus section of ISO2233 or ASTM D 4332.

The following choices are required for the Shock Test:

For the Shock tests:

  • For all protocols, a drop test using a free-fall drop tester, in compliance with the apparatus section of ISO 2248 or ASTM D 5276. Additional required equipment: Hazard Block made of hardwood or metal with a height of 20 – 25mm (.75 to 1 in) and a width of 150mm. The length should be at least 200mm (8in) longer than the second shortest package dimension of the length, width and height. The long top edges of the block shall be rounded to a radius equal to the height of the block +/- 2mm (.0625 in)
  • For flat and elongated, a rotational edge drop test and full rotational drop test using support block, in compliance with the apparatus section of ISO 2876 or ASTM D 6179. Additional required equipment: Support block 90-100mm (3.5 – 4in) in height and width and at least 200mm (8in) longer than the shortest dimension of face3.
  • For flat, a hazard impact test, hand drop with hazard box. Hazard Box: 300x300x300mm (12 x12 x12in) dense wooden box with total weight of 4.1kg (9lb). The box shall have at least one bottom edge covered by angle iron. The box should be filled with a sand bag and void fill to hold the bag in place.
  • For elongated, a bridge impact test, free fall drop tester with hazard box in compliance with the apparatus section of ASTM D 5265 with the exception of the hazard box (impactor): Hazard Box: 300x300x300mm (12 x12 x12in) dense wooden box with total weight of 4.1kg (9lb). The box shall have at least one bottom edge covered by angle iron. The box should be filled with a sand bag and void fill to hold the bag in place. Support blocks (2) 90-100mm (3.5 to 4 in) in height and width and at least 200mm (8in) longer than the shortest dimension of face 3.

The following choices are required for the Random Vibration Test:

A random vibration test system complying with the apparatus section of ISO 13355 or ASTM D 4728, a form of column stack fixturing, top-load apparatus, plastic bags and sand or other dense, flowable material.

Optional Random Vibration Under Low Pressure: A low pressure chamber complying with the apparatus section of ISO 2873 or ASTM D 6653, able to fit on the vibration table, able to draw down the internal absolute pressure to 60 kPa (8.7psi) for the truck and air test, or 70kPa (10psi) for the truck only test and able to withstand the air and/or truck random vibration input.

Additional Required Equipment:

ISTA 3A – Small

  • 2 large Consolidation Bags approximately 1 x7m (39-27 in), made of canvas, polyolefin film/fabric or similar strong flexible material with a zipper or other suitable closure at one end. The bags should have enough capacity and strength to meet the requirements below.
  • One bag is the Top Load Bag, filled with 36kg (80lb of sand) or other dense flowable material, suitably packaged in smaller bags.
  • One bag is the sample bag filled with the test specimen and dunnage packages to simulate a typical pack.
  • 3 over-night-style envelopes, 1 #5 padded mailer and 1 #6 fiberboard mailer.
  • Fiberboard containers as described below are to be constructed of C-flute board with any of the following minimum values and construction.
  • Burst Test: 1380 kPa or 14 kg/cm2 or 200 lb/in2 or
  • ECT Value: 7 kN/m width or 40 lb/in width
  • RSC style boxes shall be used for any dunnage package 125mm
  • Book-wrap or telescoping tray may be used for any dunnage package less than 125 mm (5in) in height.
  • Fill each envelope, mailer and corrugated container as indicated below. The dunnage package that most closely represents the Test Specimen shall be substituted. Internal voids of dunnage packages should be filled in order to secure dunnage weight and eliminate concentrated load.

The following describes the numbers and sizes of each dunnage packages.

3 overnight envelopes, 318 x 242mm (12.5 x 9.5 in), contents: 25 sheets of paper

1 #5 Padded mailer, 268 x 407mm (10.5 x 16 in), contents: 50 sheets of paper

1 #6 Fiberboard mailer, 318 x 483mm (12.5 x 19in), contents: 50 sheets of paper

1 Fiberboard box or book-wrap or telescope tray, 200 x 125 x 50mm (8 x 5 x 2in), each corrugated package type and size shall be filled with foam, paper, sand, etc until the desired weight indicated in this table is achieved. Weight: .5kg/1lb

1 Fiberboard box or book-wrap or telescope tray, 225 x 150 x 50mm (9 x 6 x 2in), each corrugated package type and size shall be filled with foam, paper, sand, etc until the desired weight indicated in this table is achieved. Weight: .5kg/1lb

1 Fiberboard box or book-wrap or telescope tray, 275 x 275 x 100mm (11 x 11 x 4in), each corrugated package type and size shall be filled with foam, paper, sand, etc until the desired weight indicated in this table is achieved. Weight: 1kg/2lb

1 Fiberboard box or book-wrap or telescope tray, 275 x 200 x 100mm (11 x 8 x 4in), each corrugated package type and size shall be filled with foam, paper, sand, etc until the desired weight indicated in this table is achieved. Weight: 1kg/2lb

1 Fiberboard box or book-wrap or telescope tray, 175 x 150 x 100mm (7 x 6 x 4in), each corrugated package type and size shall be filled with foam, paper, sand, etc until the desired weight indicated in this table is achieved. Weight: 1.8kg/4lb

1 Fiberboard box or book-wrap or telescope tray, 300 x 300 x 75mm (12 x 12 x 3in), each corrugated package type and size shall be filled with foam, paper, sand, etc until the desired weight indicated in this table is achieved. Weight: 1.8kg/4lb

1 Fiberboard box, 200 x 200 x 200mm (8 x 8 x 8in), each corrugated package type and size shall be filled with foam, paper, sand, etc until the desired weight indicated in this table is achieved. Weight: 4.5kg/10lb

1 Fiberboard box, 200 x 200 x 200mm (6 x 6 x 6in), each corrugated package type and size shall be filled with foam, paper, sand, etc until the desired weight indicated in this table is achieved. Weight: 1kg/2lb

1 Fiberboard box, 200 x 200 x 200mm (10 x 5 x 5in), each corrugated package type and size shall be filled with foam, paper, sand, etc until the desired weight indicated in this table is achieved. Weight: 1kg/2lb

About Us

Pro-Pack is one of the premier package testing laboratories in North America. With more than 30 years of experience, we are trusted for high standards, accuracy and our commitment to excellence. Pro-Pack is owned and managed by a team of people who are dedicated to the profession and the firm.

Contact Info

2385 Amann Drive
Belleville, Illinois 62220
Phone: 618-277-1160
Fax: 618-277-1163

ProPack Package Testing