Assess the effect of temperature and humidity on packaging performance.
Packaged products may be exposed to temperature and humidity conditions that differ from the storage conditions specified on their labels during transport and storage. Climate control ensures that the packaged product is prepared for the specified environmental conditions and that transport tests are carried out taking these effects into account.
Climatic conditioning is typically performed before transport simulation testing or at defined stages within the test sequence. Products and packaging are exposed to specified temperature and humidity conditions to represent potential environmental stresses during distribution. Subsequent tests, such as vibration, compression, and impact testing, help evaluate packaging performance following this exposure. The conditioning conditions, duration, and test sequence are selected based on the applicable standard, packaging materials, and anticipated distribution environment.
Suitable temperature and humidity conditions are determined based on the product characteristics, packaging materials, distribution route, and storage conditions. Packaged samples are placed in a controlled climatic chamber and exposed to the specified conditions for a defined period, allowing the product and packaging to reach the required conditions.
After environmental conditioning, the packaging is examined for deformation, loss of mechanical strength, and changes in its protective properties. Subsequent tests, such as stacking, vibration, and handling, help determine whether the packaging continues to protect the product after exposure to the specified environmental conditions. Evaluation criteria are defined based on the product, packaging design, and applicable test requirements. These may include visible damage, package integrity, structural stability, and the condition of the product after testing. The results are assessed against predefined acceptance criteria to determine whether the packaging meets the required performance expectations.
ASTM D4169 — Section 6
ASTM D4332 — Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
Temperature, humidity, and exposure duration can influence packaging performance. Selecting appropriate conditioning parameters is an important part of a reliable test plan. At NioReg, we help you define environmental conditioning conditions based on your product characteristics, packaging design, and distribution route.
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