1.1 This test method provides procedures for an indication of the environmental stress crack resistance of plastic injection molded open head pails, covers, and components as a summation of the effects of container design, resin, manufacturing conditions, field performance, and other factors.

1.2 This test method may be used to evaluate a container's resistance to mechanical failure by cracking when in the presence of chemical and physical stresses.

1.3 Two procedures are provided as follows:

1.3.1 Procedure A, Specified Stress-Crack Resistance Test Method—This procedure is particularly useful for quality control since the conditions of the test are specified.

1.3.2 Procedure B, User Selected Stress-Crack Resistance Test Method—This procedure allows individual selection of test levels and is particularly useful as a design and development tool.

1.4 These procedures are not designed to test the ability of the cover gasketing material or closure to retain the test reagent. Loss or leakage of the reagent through these openings does not constitute container failure. However, this may indicate an internal pressure loss that might affect test results.

1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for information only.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific warning statements are given in 6.2, 10.2.3, 10.2.6, and 10.2.8.