AS 3668:2019 pdf download.Flexible intermediate bulk containers – Non-dangerous goods.
4 Materials, design and construction requirements
4.1 Materials
FIBCs may be manufactured from a considerable variety of sheet and woven materials. The properties of the selected materials may be further modified by suitable additives, e.g. to improve the exposure life and strength and to reduce the effect of static electricity.
All materials of construction shall, after complete immersion in water for not less than 24 h, retain at least 85 % of the tensile strength measured after conditioning to equilibrium at 67 % relative humidity or less. The tensile strength should be measured by the method of test appropriate to the material used. NOTE For example, ISO 13934-1 specifies tensile strength test requirements for tensile properties, seam tensile properties, tear properties and seam slippage for textile fabrics. All load-bearing materials of the FIBC shall after being tested in accordance with the test described in Clause 4.5, retain at least 50 % of the original values for breaking force and elongation of the materials. The use of like materials in the manufacture of FIBCs is recommended to promote recyclability.
4.2 Design
The FIBC shall be designed so that the maximum design height of fill shall not exceed the minimum base width or diameter by more than the ratio of 2:1. NOTE Inner liners may be provided.
4.3 Construction
All stitched seams and joints shall be locked off, or back sewn or a minimum 20 mm tail provided. All sewing threads shall be of manmade fibre.
4.4 Ultraviolet protection
Protection against ultraviolet radiation shall be provided by the addition of carbon black or other suitable inhibitors. These additives shall be compatible with the materials to be carried in the FIBC. For polyolefins, the protection provided by a loading of 0.3 % by mass of an appropriate benzophenone shall represent the minimum ultraviolet stabilization required. Other types of ultraviolet stabilizers, such as benzotriazoles and hindered amines, may be employed, singly or in combinations, provided they exhibit similar protection to the benzophenone type stabilizers at the loading specified above. For other materials sufficient ultraviolet stabilizers shall be added to the material to ensure ultraviolet resistance at least equal to that required for polyolefins.
4.5 UV resistance test
The apparatus for testing resistance to UV degradation shall be in accordance with ASTM G154-98, using a UV-B lamp.
The test specimen shall be exposed to a fluorescent UV-B lamp and condensation for at least 200 h as follows:
(a) UV radiation only — Test cycle of 8 h at 60 °C. (b) Condensation only — Test cycle of 4 hat 50°C. The test procedure shall alternate between the UV radiation and condensation for at least 200 h. After exposure is complete, the specimen shall be tested for braking force and elongation at break, in accordance with ISO 13934-1. Compare the values with the results performed on simultaneous cut test specimens that have been stored under dark and cool conditions.
5 Performance requirements
NOTE 1 A check should be made of the relevant Commonwealth, state and territory legislation to determine if any such legislation lays down a more stringent requirement for any component part of the FIBC. NOTE 2 The purchaser or a Regulatory Authority may require that the supplier provide a statement that the FIBC conforms to this Standard.
5.1 General
The FIBC type shall be subjected to four type tests as follows: (a) Top lift test (see Clause 5.3 and Appendix C). (b) Cyclic top lift test (see Clause 5.4 and Appendix D). (c) Stacking test (see Clause 5.5 and Appendix E). (d) Drop impact test (see Clause 5.6 and Appendix F). For FIBC type with fixed vertical dimension, one specimen of the FIBC type shall be submitted for each test. For FIBC Type with variable vertical dimension, one specimen with the shortest vertical dimension and one specimen with the longest vertical dimension of the FIBC type shall be submitted for each test.AS 3668 pdf download.