What Exactly Is A Bridge Impact Test?
Long packages are tested for their ability to withstand impact near their center during bridge impact integrity testing. However, when a package is only supported at its ends, bridge impact testing is typically employed. The two possible techniques are meant to transfer the same amount of kinetic energy at impact. Consequently, any procedure has the same potential for damage.
Infinita Lab is an ISTA and ISO 17025-certified lab and is aware of the significance of bridge impact testing. It can be challenging to comply with the standards for bridge impact compliance. We are aware of the difficulties and help businesses through them.
Are you prepared to begin? Get a quotation to learn more about our affordable prices, prompt service, and stellar reputation. Do you have a query regarding SMITE (simulated mechanical impact testing equipment)? Please get in touch with us, and we’ll advise you on your best options.
Why Is Impact Testing of Bridges Important?
Materials transported in extended packages are vulnerable to problems. Damage happens when a mixed-size package is shipped. The cross-section of a package can be tested to see if it can withstand impacts by using a bridge impact test.
Damaged products and packaging may need costly replacement costs. Companies suffer an annual loss due to transportation damage of roughly $1 billion on average. A strict distribution strategy can also lead to a drop in revenue, a loss of client loyalty, and persistent delays and interruptions. With the right testing and certification, many of these expenditures can be considerably decreased or eliminated.
To reduce hazards, package testing will guarantee packing integrity during shipping. Bridge impact compliance testing done correctly results in benefits for manufacturers like:
- Product-to-market time decrease
- Assurance in the product launch
- reduced product loss and damage
- cost-effective distribution
- improved client satisfaction
- increased market share
- Method for Bridge Impact Testing
Keystone Compliance advises conducting ASTM D5265-compliant bridge impact testing. The user can choose between two alternatives for this test type.
An instrument called a free-fall drop tester is used in Process A.
Equipment for simulating mechanical impact testing is used in procedure B.
To enable an adequate determination of representative performance, several samples are selected. Sampling from a lot is suggested for lengthy manufacturing runs.
It is advised to load the package with real or fictitious materials. Packages are conditioned before the bridge impact test, depending on the integrity test’s goal. The ASTM Method D4332: Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Containers for Testing is typically used to condition fiberboard packages.
Process A
The package is positioned on the drop test apparatus’s test floor as part of procedure A. The support blocks are positioned perpendicular to the package’s long axis and parallel to one another. On the drop table, an impactor is in place. It should be mentioned that the impactor’s edge should strike the package with a maximum 5-degree angle in the plane in which it is located.
The lower edge of the impactor must descend from a predetermined height above the package’s top surface to pass the test. The impactor is then dropped on the package’s narrow cross-section to achieve a preset impact velocity.
Process B
Method B involves setting the test package on the S.M.I.T.E. (Simulated Mechanical Impact Testing Equipment) test apparatus’s table. The support blocks are positioned perpendicular to the package’s long axis and parallel to one another.
Next, an impactor is placed so that its long edge will strike the package. The bottom edge’s midpoint must coincide with the center of the package being inspected.
Finally, to produce a specified impact velocity, the impactor is dropped from a machine height. 48 in/s is used if no impact velocity is supplied.
