The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard, “ASTM D1185-98 Standard test methods for pallets and related structures used in material handling and transportation,” describes test methods for pallets and related structures functioning as skids, bases, platforms, and boxes in material handling and transportation. These test methods facilitate the protection of both packaged and unpackaged products during storage and transportation. The test methods include measurements of the relative resistance of pallets and related structures to deformations, damage, and structural failures that adversely affect the functionality of the unit load.
These test methods include conditioning requirements, static stiffness and strength tests, and dynamic tests of structural reliability. These test methods are used to evaluate the relative performance of new, used or reconditioned general and special purpose pallets manufactured from a variety of materials including solid wood, wood composites, particle board, honeycomb, plastic or metal, or to compare the performance of such pallets and related structures with specified performance criteria. Recommended criteria for all tests specified in this standard are included in the standard appendix (Annex X2).
These test methods are also used to classify pallets as single-use or reusable pallets and to determine safe working loads for pallets under specified load and support conditions.
Since each pallet may be used under several different load and support conditions, pallet design considerations and safe working load estimates should be based on the condition where the pallet offers the least resistance or is most severely stressed. This is determined by preliminary testing, which is not mandatory. Final preliminary, short-term static tests should be conducted on pallets that have not been tested before to determine the load and support conditions that most severely affect the pallet load-carrying capacity and safe working loads. During the development of prototypes leading to designs that will be subjected to acceptance testing, these preliminary tests should include free-fall drop tests.
Mandatory acceptance tests in this standard are described as follows:
The distribution environment simulation test methods are not designed to provide precise simulations of pallet performance in a distribution environment. These test methods are designed to be relevant to practice with the additional provision that they are repeatable, do not require exceptional skill, and are safe to conduct without elaborate precautions. The test findings are not expected to lead to irreversible conclusions. Testing in a distribution environment may be required to confirm results from laboratory testing.
Static compression and bending tests provide data used to estimate stiffness, strength, and safe working loads for pallets under specified load and support conditions. These estimates provide a basis for designing pallets and comparing performance between pallets of different designs and construction.
Dynamic testing provides data used to predict the physical durability and functionality of a pallet in specified material handling and transportation environments. These predictions provide a basis for designing single- or multiple-use pallets.
Other tests may be performed to evaluate the properties of specific materials and connecting devices, design features, usage practices, and other variables encountered.
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