scope:

This handbook is for guidance only. This handbook cannot be cited as a requirement. If it is, the contractor does not have to comply. The information in this handbook applies chiefly to conventional cushioning materials. These materials include polyurethane foam, foamed polystyrene, and foamed polyethylene, etc.

This document omits data on creep characteristics, and special cushioning devices. The graphical data for the Stress-Strain Curves (Appendix A), Peak Acceleration-Static Stress Curves (Appendix B) and Transmissibility-Frequency Curves (Appendix C) is available in electronic format from the Air Force Packaging Technology and Engineering Facility. See the appendices for further information.

Frequently, for brevity sake, this handbook excludes detailed background information on particular topics from the main text. However, Section 2.0 and Appendix D cite references that present these topics in much more detail.

This document's units of measurement are in both English and metric. The English unit is first. The reason the document is not totally metric is because the curves referenced in Appendix B are in English units. When the curves are changed to metric, this document will be totally converted to metric. See page ix for unit abbreviations and metric equivalents.

intended Use: