Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com MI1-HOBK.772 30March1981 b j MILITARY STANDARDIZATION HANDBOOK ~ MILITARY PACKAGING ENGINEERING pi .*,. 0 AREAPACK NO DELIVERABLEDATA REQUIRED BY THIS DOCLMENT Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WASHINGTON, DC 20360 MIL-HDBK-772 Military Packaging Engineering 30 March 1981 1. This standardization handbook was developed by the Department of Defense in accordance with established procedures. z 2. This publication was approved on 30 March 1981 for printing and inclusion in the military standardization handbook . series: 3. This document provides basic and fundamental packaging ● engineering principles and practices for the packaging of mili- tary supplies and equipment. The handbook is not intended to be referenced in purchase specifications, except for information purposes, nor shall it supersede any specification requirements. 4. Every effort has been made to reflect current criteria for packaging of military supplies and equipment. This handbook will be periodically reviewed by its proponent to insure its completeness and currency. Beneficial comments (recommendations, additions, deletions) and any pertinent data which may be of use in improving this document should be addressed to Director, US o Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command Packaging, Storage, and Containerization Center, ATTN : SDSTO-T, Tobyhanna, PA 18466,.by using the self-addressed Standardization Document Improvement Proposal (DD Form 1426) appearing at the end of this document, or by letter, + .& ii Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com MIL-HDBK-772 30 March 1981 FOREWORD Military packaging has experienced significant changes recently due to a variety of factors, including increasing costs of traditional packaging materials, environmental considerations, expanded use of containers, and the advent of direct delivery to overseas customers. These changes have dictated that new methods and techniques be explored as possible replacements for tradi- ● tional packaging practices. This handbook provides packaging criteria, materials, and test information for guidance in the design, development, and fabrication of packaging within the framework of the DOD packaging policy. ✎ ●✎✎ iii Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com MIL-HDBK-772 30 March 1981 CONTENTS Page o Paragraph 1. SCOPE ............................... 1 1.1 Scope ............................. 1 1.2 Applicability ..................... 1 2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS ................ 1 2.1 Issues of documents ............... 2.2 Other publications ................ li *. 3. DEFINITIONS ......................... 19 4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ................ 30 4.1 Military packaging policy ......... 30 4.1.1 Purpose ........................... 30 4.1.2 Objectives ........................ 31 ● 4.1.3 Methods of expressing packaging data ................... 31 4.1.3.1 Data sheets ....................... 31 4.1.3.2 Specifications .................... 31 j.;.;.; Standard .......................... 32 Purchase description .............. 32 4:1:3:5 Drawing ........................... 52 4.2 Packaging methods ................. 32 4.2.1 Criteria to be considered ......... 32 4.2.2 Degrees of protection ............. 33 0 4.3 Role of the packaging engineer .... 34 4.4 Packaging engineering procedures .. 35 4.5 Sources of data ................... 36 4.6 Item characteristics .............. 36 4.6.1 Susceptibility to chemical deterioration and physical damage :......................... 37 4.6.2 Feasibility of disassembly ........ 37 4.6.3 Other item characteristics ........ 39 4.7 Additional factors affecting packaging design ................ 39 4.8 Logistical considerations ......... 40 .* 4.8.1 DOD Engineering for Transportability Program ........ 40 ‘“ ‘4.8.2 Handling .......................... 40 4.8.3 Storage ........................... 41 4.8.4 Human factor considerations ....... 41 4.8.5 Weight and cube ................... 41 ‘. 4.8.6 Distribution ...................... 41 iv ,. L- Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com MIL-HDBK-772 30 March 1981 CONTENTS - Continued Page Paragraph 4.8.6.1 Pattern ........................... 41 4.8.6.2 Unit quantity ..................... 42 4.8.7 Destination ....................... 42 4.8.8 Statutory ......................... 43 4.9 Preservation, packing, and shipping costs .................. 43 4.10 Testing and inspection ............ 43 4.11 Authorized and approved methods and materials ........... 44 4.11.1 Special requirements .............. 44 4.11.2 New methods and materials ......... 44 4.12 Summary of packaging and pack design ..................... 44 5. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS ............... 46 5.1 Item characteristics .............. 5.1.1 Like items ........................ :: 5.1.2 Common, selective, and special grouped items ........... 5.1.2.1 Common group items ................ i: 5.1.2.2 Selective group items ............. 5.1.2.3 Special group items ............... :; 5.1.3 Packaging requirements ............ 47 5.1.4 Categorizing item characteristics ................. 47 5.1.4.1 Objectives ........................ 47 5.1.4.2 Pre-engineering packaging data ............................ 48 5.1.4.3 Minimum criteria .................. 48 5.1.4.4 Vulnerability to chemical deterioration ................... 49 5.1.4.5 Vulnerability to physical damage .......................... 49 5.1.4.5.1 Shock ............................. 5.1.4.5.2 Vibration ......................... ;; 5.1.4.5.3 Surface finish .................... 55 5..1.4.5.4 Degree of hazard .................. 56 5.1.4.5.5 Regulatory requirements ........... 56 5.1.4.6 Vulnerability to field force damage .......................... 57 5.1.4.7 Strength and fragility ............ 59 5.1.4.7.1 Fragile, delicate and rugged Items ........................... 59 v Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com MIL-HDBK-772 30 March 1981 CONTENTS - Continued — Paragraph 5.1.4.7.1.1 Fragile items ..................... 59 5.1.4.7.1.2 Delicate items .................... 60 ;.:.~.~.:.~ Rugged items ...................... 60 Flexible and rigid items .......... 61 5:1:4:8” “ Type of load ...................... 61 5.1.4.9 Configuration ..................... 63 5.1.4.10 Size and weight ................... 63 5.1.4.10.1 Size .............................. 63 ;.;.;.::.2 Weight ............................ 63 Nature of the item ................ 65 5:1:4:12 Relation of item design to package ......................... 66 5.1.4.13 Compatibility of materials ........ 66 5.1.4.14 Cost of item ...................... 67 5.2 Deterioration ..................... 67 5.2.1 Deterioration of metal ............ 67 5.2.1.1 Moisture ............... ........... 68 5.2.1.2 Chemical action ................... 68 5.2.1.2.1 Salts ............................. 68 5.2.1.2.2 Acids and alkalis .....’............ 71 5.2.1.3 Electrochemical action ............ 71 5.2.1.4 Low temperatures .................. 74 5.2.1.5 Corrosion prevention .............. 74 5.2.1.5.1 Metal coating ..................... 77 5.2.1.5.2 Paint .............................. 77 5.2.1.5.3 Semipermanent surface treatment ....................... 77 5.2.2 Deterioration of wood ............. 77 5.2.2.1 Microorganisms .................... 77 5.2.2.2 Insects ........................... 7J 5.2.2.3 Ph@ical agents ................... 5.2.2.4 Chemical action ................... 81 5.2.3 Deterioration of paper products ......................... 81 5.2.3.1 Moisture .......................... 81 5.2.3.2 Microorganisms .................... 81 5.2.3.3 Insects ........................... 83 ✎✌●✍ 5.2.3.4 Rodents ........................... 83 5.2.3.5 Sunlight .......................... 83 5.2.3.6 High temperatures .... 83 5.2.3.7 Chemicals ............ 83 4 5.2.4 Deterioration of plast As ......... 88 5.2.4.1 Chemicals ............ ............ 88 vi . Downloaded from http://www.everyspec.com ..-. .. .. --,. MllJ-HIJBK-/ /< 30 March 1981 CONTENTS - Continued Page Paragraph 5.2.4.2 Microorganisms .................... 88 5.2.4.3 Low temperatures .................. 88 5.2.5 Deterioration of rubber ........... 88 5.2.5.1 Chemicals ......................... 100 5.2.5.2 Temperature effects ............... 100 5.2.5.3 Microorganisms .................... 100 5.2.5.4 Sunlight .......................... 106 5.2.6 Deterioration of textiles ......... 106 5.2.6.1 Microorganisms .................... 106 5,2.6.2 Excessive drying .................. 107 5.2.6.3 Sunlight .......................... 107 5.3 Methods of preservation ........... 107 5.3.1 Methods ......... .................. 107 5.3.2 Submethods ........................ 114 5.3.3 Adherence and uniformity of methods ......................... 114 5.3.4 Method determination .............. 114 5.4 Cleaning and drying ............... 115 5.4.1 Gene ral ........................... 115 5,4.2 Contamination ..................... 115 5.4.3 Choosing a cleaning process and cleaner ..................... 118 5.4.3.1 Item considerations ............... 119 5.4.3.2 Cleaning process considerations .................. 119 5.4.3.3 Cleaner considerations ............ 120 5.4.4 Cleaner selection chart ........... 121 5.4.5 Cleaning procedures for special items ................... 121 5.4.6 Testing of cleanliness ............ 134 5.4.7 Drying ............................ 134 5.5 Preservatives ..................... 134 5.5.1 General ........................... 134 5.5.2 Preservation after cleaning ....... 134 5.5.3 Considerations In choosing a preservative .................... 134 5.5.3.1 Item characteristics