Reliability Testing - Packaging Drop Test

The drop test generally refers to testing whether a product sustains any damage after being packaged (inside an outer carton) and subjected to a free-fall drop from a certain height. This test primarily evaluates the impact resistance of the product and its packaging when subjected to accidental drops during handling and transportation. The edges, corners, and surfaces of the packaging container must all be tested.

Test Overview

Drop testing is divided into packaging drop tests and bare product drop tests:

- Packaging drop tests assess the product’s ability to withstand accidental drops during transportation and storage.

- Bare product drop tests evaluate a product’s resistance to accidental drops during normal usage.

Packaging drop tests also indicate how well the packaging protects the product when subjected to vertical drops.

The drop height, number of drops, and drop orientation determine the test's strictness. Different international standards specify different drop methods and heights for various products. For handheld products (such as mobile phones, MP3 players, etc.), the typical drop height ranges from 100 cm to 150 cm:

- EC standards recommend that handheld products under 2 kg withstand a 100 cm drop without damage.

- MIL standards suggest a 122 cm drop height.

- Intel standards recommend a 150 cm drop height for handheld devices like mobile phones.

According to reference standards, the drop surface should be a smooth, rigid surface made of concrete or steel. In some cases, other surfaces, such as marble, may be used.

Packaging Drop Test

Packaging drop tests typically require one-corner, three-edge, and six-surface free-fall drops.

- Corner Drop: The product is dropped so that a corner makes first contact with the impact surface.

- Edge Drop: The sample is tilted to a 20° angle from horizontal, lifted to the test height, and then dropped so that an edge impacts the surface.

- Surface Drop: The sample is dropped so that one of its flat surfaces directly impacts the surface.

This test evaluates the strength of the outer or inner packaging and the durability of the product packaging to ensure compliance with quality requirements.

Purpose of the Bare Product Drop Test

The bare product drop test assesses a product’s resistance to throwing and dropping during use. The test sample should be released from a suspended position to ensure a free fall with minimal interference at the moment of release.

Testing standards for impact surfaces:

- ASTM Standard: The impact surface must have a 3.0 mm (1/8 inch) thick rubber flooring, with at least 64 mm (2.5 inches) of concrete underneath, covering an area of at least 3 square meters.

- EN71 Standard: The impact surface must be a 4 mm thick steel plate coated with a 2 mm thick layer of material with a Shore hardness of 75±5A, placed on a non-flexible horizontal surface.

- GB675 Standard: The impact surface should consist of 3 mm thick vinyl polymer sheets, attached to at least 640 mm thick concrete. The surface must have a Shore hardness of A80±10 and an area of at least 0.3 square meters.

Testing Standards

- IEC 60068-2-32 – "Free Fall Test Method"