Paper & Cardboard Physical Property Measurement

Corrugated cardboard is used all over the world for strong, cheap and light recyclable packaging. It is made up of a fluted interior sandwiched between linerboards. Variations include a linerboard on only one face, or several stacked layers. It is generally made into cardboard boxes, although occasionally used in sheet form for strengthening or insulation purposes. Most boxmakers perform a wide range of tests on their products as well as the components used to make them. Many boxes are made to certain customers’ demands, and the aim of these tests is to maximise strength (meeting the customer’s needs) while minimising costs from component materials and weight.

Unlike traditional crush testing equipment, which only record the maximum force during a test, Stable Micro Systems Texture Analysers, along with Exponent software, allow full graph analysis as well as optional synchronised video capture to identify failure mechanisms and tie them into points of failure on the graph. They incorporate a precise ball screw, sturdy design and high accuracy load cells (up to 750kg load capacity) and distance resolutions of half a micron for reliable, repeatable, objective testing. Additionally, they are multi-functional – consequently, many paper, cardboard and box tests may be performed on one instrument, including crush, tensile, puncture and flexure.

The set of tests carried out by a boxmaker are determined by the desired properties in the finished box. ‘Compression boxes’, designed to be stacked on top of one another, must always fulfil some basic criteria such as possessing high enough crush strength to allow full containers to be stacked during transit and storage, robustness to protect their contents and retention of their protective properties over a time period long enough for the customer’s needs, and in the required environmental conditions. 

Poor physical performance can not only damage the contained product but also the reputation and profitability of the company that supplied it. These ‘strength’ properties can be quantified using either imitative or more traditional, fundamental methods. Combinations of the methods outlined below may be used to provide a core set of tests for each type of box and storage conditions.

Typical measurements include: • Crush strength/resistance • Compressive Strength • Flexural stiffness/strength • Creep • Edgewise strength • Breaking Strength • Perforation strength • Tensile Strength (wet/dry) • Rigidity • Penetration resistance • Deformation to failure • Tearing resistance •

Over the years, we’ve worked with top scientists and companies in many industries to develop new fixtures to measure specific product properties. When the test solution doesn’t exist we go ahead and develop it and add it to our growing number of Community Registered Designs, testament to our leading innovative approach to finding the right solutions to a customer’s testing needs.

We are totally dedicated to the physical property measurement of your paper and cardboard products – but don’t just take our word for it, read an example of what our customers have to say.

A wide range of PAPER AND CARDBOARD test methods (including ASTM, ISO AND TAPPI Standards) is built into Exponent Texture Analyser software and will automatically load at the click of a button. We help make your testing quicker to access and the analysis of your product properties already prepared for you.

A selection of special attachments and typical measurements which are commonly used in this application area are shown, although this does not necessarily include the complete range available for the testing of paper and cardboard. Test procedures include: compression, puncture / penetration, tension, fracture / bending, extrusion, cutting / shearing. Any of the texture analyser range can be used for the product tests listed.