Hazardous Materials Technician 3rd Edition Practice Test

An overpack drum is the outer container that bundles one or more inner hazmat packages for transport, so it must be durable, chemically compatible with contents, and able to meet UN packaging standards. The typical materials for an overpack drum are steel or plastic. Steel provides rugged crush resistance and long-term durability, while plastic (usually high-density polyethylene) offers good chemical compatibility and lighter weight with reliable sealing. Glass is too fragile for routine handling, wood can absorb moisture and degrade under load and handling, and fiberglass is used in some cases but isn’t the standard choice for overpacks. So, steel or plastic is the typical material pairing.