ISSN: 1945-7553
CODEN: JTEVAB
Page Count: 6

Understanding Impact Testing of Pallet Nails and Staples

Loferski, JR
Associate Professor of Timber Engineering and Earle B. Norris Research Professor Emeritus of Wood Construction, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

Stern, EG
Associate Professor of Timber Engineering and Earle B. Norris Research Professor Emeritus of Wood Construction, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

(Received 9 November 1990; accepted 22 March 1991)

Abstract

The assembly of wooden pallets, at a rate of more than 500 million units per year by more than 2500 American manufacturers, is mostly accomplished with nails and staples. The performance and useful life of these pallets are significantly influenced by the ability of these fasteners to resist relatively high impact forces during pallet use. Only a single testing device, described in ASTM Standard F 680, is available to provide the information on the impact resistance of these pallet fasteners. The accuracy, precision, and repeatability of the test data as well as the usefulness of this testing device are described by data on two types of pallet nails, obtained by single and multiple operators of this device. Among the conclusions advanced are that the mean test data are representative of the fastener performance characteristics and are repeatable and accurate if the testing device is used properly.

Keywords:
pallets, nails, staples, fastener quality, impact resistance, testing, accuracy, precision, repeatability

Paper ID: JTE12590J
DOI: 10.1520/JTE12590J
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