Essential Information About Corrugated Board Testing

Corrugated board has become an indispensable material in the modern packaging industry due to its durability and lightweight structure. To prevent product damage during packaging and transportation, corrugated board undergoes various durability tests. These tests allow us to understand the performance of the material under real-world conditions and are regulated by international standards.

1. Standards Used in Corrugated Board Testing

Standards in durability testing enhance product quality and safety. Below are some commonly used standards:

  • DIN EN ISO 3037: Measures the box’s crush resistance.
  • TAPPI T 811: Tests the edgewise compression resistance of corrugated board.
  • ISO 12192: Used to measure the ring stiffness, especially in pipes.
  • ISO 3035 and ISO 3037: Regulates compression and crushing tests for corrugated boards.
  • TS EN ISO 7263: Tests the physical properties of corrugated medium paper.

2. Key Types of Tests and Their Scope

Different methods are employed to test various features of corrugated board durability:

a) ECT (Edge Crush Test)

Measures the edgewise compression strength of corrugated board. This test is crucial for understanding the box’s resistance during handling and transportation.

b) FCT (Flat Crush Test)

Tests the board’s resistance to pressure applied on flat surfaces.

c) RCT (Ring Crush Test)

Evaluates the compression strength of paper and board materials in a ring-shaped sample.

d) CMT (Corrugating Medium Test)

Determines the strength of corrugated board in its fluted form.

e) BCT (Box Compression Test)

Assesses the vertical compression strength of fully assembled boxes.

f) Other Tests

  • Closure Test: Examines the resistance of boxes when sealed.
  • Burst Test: Determines the board's durability against high forces.
  • Flexibility and Permanent Deformation Test: Measures the board's flexibility and resistance to permanent deformation.

3. Products Tested

These tests are not limited to corrugated boards and are applied to a variety of products, including:

  • Corrugated Board and Cardboard Products: Boxes, cartons, and packaging materials.
  • Plastic and Corrugated Pipes: Commonly used in infrastructure systems.
  • Glass, Ceramic, and Porcelain Materials: Durability tests for fragile items.
  • Cement-Based Materials and Tiles: Compression strength testing for construction materials.
  • Automotive and Forest Products: For determining load-bearing capacities.

4. Purposes and Scopes of Specific Standards

  • TS EN ISO 12048: Used for measuring the mechanical durability of packaging materials.
  • EN 22872: Evaluates box performance during transportation.
  • TAPPI T 804: Regulates closure resistance tests.
  • FEFCO 50: Targets European corrugated board standards.
  • AFNOR H 13-001: Ensures quality control in packaging and shipping products.
  • TS EN ISO 9969 and 13968: Specifies rigidity and flexibility tests for plastic pipes.

5. Contributions to Packaging and Shipping Processes

Corrugated board testing plays a critical role in ensuring material and product safety during packaging and transportation. These tests help achieve the following:

  • Optimize the load-bearing capacity of packages.
  • Minimize the risk of product damage or crushing.
  • Control packaging costs and enable eco-friendly designs.

Conclusion

Corrugated board tests are an integral part of quality control processes. By conducting these tests in compliance with standards, packaging safety is improved, and sustainable production processes are supported.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why are corrugated board tests conducted?

They are performed to ensure product protection during packaging and transportation.

2. Which standard is used for which test?

For example, DIN EN ISO 3037 is used for box crush tests, while TAPPI T 811 is for edgewise compression strength tests.

3. What is the difference between BCT and ECT tests?

BCT tests the compression strength of the entire box, while ECT measures only the edgewise strength of the board.

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