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Test Method T 410 Om-88. Standard Test Method For Grammage of Paper and Paperboard (Mass Per Unit Area)
Test Method T 410 Om-88. Standard Test Method For Grammage of Paper and Paperboard (Mass Per Unit Area)
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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5.3 Scale, such as a finely graduated steel rule reading in 0.5 disturbed. Because of wear, the cutting device may require
mm (1⁄50 or 1⁄64 in.), capable of measuring the dimensions of the more frequent checking than the weighing device.
test specimen to an accuracy of 0.2 %.
8. Conditioning
6. Sampling 8.1 Condition and test the test specimens in an atmosphere
6.1 Obtain the sample of the paper or paperboard to be in accordance with Practice D 685, unless grammage“ as
tested in accordance with Method D 585. received” is required.
6.2 From each test unit of the sample, cut a sufficient 8.2 The precision of this work is such that hysteresis has
number of representative sheets for a total area per test unit of important effects; therefore, precondition the test specimens so
at least 5000 cm2(800 in.2). The dimensions and hence the area that the equilibrium moisture content is approached from the
of each sheet will depend on the sheet cutting device available. drier state.
If a template is used, a minimum dimension of 20.0 by 25.0 cm 9. Procedure
(8 by 10 in.) is recommended.
6.3 Select the number of sheets composing a test specimen 9.1 If the cutting accuracy specified in 5.2 is attained (see
(total area of each test specimen at least 500 cm2) to give the 7.2), use the mean area obtained in 7.2; otherwise, determine
required weighing accuracy. the area of each test specimen to within 0.3 %, that is, measure
the dimensions of each sheet to within 0.2 %.
NOTE 1—As a consequence of the above rules, which allow for 9.2 If the special sheet-weighing device is used, be sure that
flexibility in the selection of sheet weighing and cutting devices, the the dimensions of the sheets are within 0.2 % of the required
number of test specimens representing a test unit and the number of sheets size; otherwise, make a correction in accordance with the
per test specimen will depend on the choice of weighing and cutting
devices, as illustrated by the following examples:
following equation:
(a) If for a particular sample of paper, the sheet weighing device requires G 5 G8 3 ~A8/A! (1)
the weighing together of two sheets at least 20.0 by 25.0 cm to obtain the
requisite weighing accuracy, then each test specimen will consist of two
sheets at least 20.0 by 25.0 cm, and five such test specimens (each a pair where:
of sheets) will be needed to obtain the required total area of 5000 cm2. G = corrected indicated mass per unit area,
(b) If the available precise cutting device gives a sheet size of 4.00 by 4.00 G8 = indicated mass per unit area of the test specimen,
in. (approximately 10 by 10 cm), then for the same paper and sheet A8 = area of the test specimen for which the device is
weighing device used above, each of the needed five test specimens would calibrated, and
require ten sheets. A = area of the weighed test specimen.
NOTE 2—For some uses, the variation across the web or roll may be of 9.3 Weigh each test specimen to within 0.25 %.
interest; for example, the original wide role (or web) may be slit into
narrow rolls, each 7.5 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in.) wide for medical packaging. 10. Calculation
A “tailing-off” of the grammage near the edge of the web could be
unacceptable. In such cases, test units using narrow sheets should be taken 10.1 From the measurements, calculate the mass per unit
from selected positions across the web and the grammage reported area of each test specimen. If M is the mass and A is the area
separately for each position. of the test specimen in the units of measurements, then the
grammage in grams per square metre may be calculated by the
7. Calibration equation:
7.1 Checking of Weighing Device: G 5 K 3 ~M/A! (2)
7.1.1 Check the accuracy of the weighing device frequently
(7.3) by applying accurately measured masses with both where K is the conversion factor given in Table 1.
increasing and decreasing loads. When using a sheet-weighing 10.1.1 If the ream weight in pounds (BW) has been deter-
device, be sure that the device has been properly calibrated to mined for a customary trade size of 500 sheets, the grammage
the required accuracy (5.1). in g/m2 may be calculated as follows:
7.1.2 Before each use, see that frictional effects are suffi-
G 5 P 3 BW (3)
ciently minimal and that the zero reading is sufficiently correct
as to assure the required weighing accuracy.
7.2 Checking of Cutting Device—Frequently (7.3) check the where P is the conversion factor given in Table 2.
area cut by using the scale (5.3) to measure 20 test specimens. 10.2 Calculate the mean of the results for each test unit, and
The cutting accuracy specified in 5.2 is attained when the express in grams per square metre to three significant figures.
standard deviation of the individual areas is less than 0.25 % of
the mean area, in which case this mean area may be used for TABLE 1 Conversion Factors
calculating grammage in subsequent tests. Units of Measurement Conversion
7.3 Frequency of Checking—The frequency of checking in Area Factors
Mass (M) K
7.1 and 7.2 should be based on experience. A new device (A)
should be checked several times before being put into use. Gram cm2 10 000
Then, if in continuous use, it should be checked twice daily Gram in.2 1 550
Indicated weight for 500-sheet ream, lb cm2 9 070
until stability is established, then weekly, monthly, or less Indicated weight for 500-sheet ream, lb in.2 1 406
frequently as indicated by its stability, unless moved or unduly
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TABLE 2 Ream Weight Conversion Factors
Trade or Trade Size P Q
Kind of Paper
Basic Size Area, ft2 (BW to G) (G to BW)
Paperboard 1000 ft2 1000.0 4.882 0.205
Writing and printing 17 3 22 − 500 1298.6 3.760 0.266
Blotting 19 3 24 − 500 1583.3 3.084 0.324
Cover 20 3 26 − 500 1805.6 2.704 0.370
Carbon paper 20 3 30 − 500 2083.3 2.344 0.427
Cardboard 22 3 28 − 500 2138.9 2.283 0.438
Bristol and tag 221⁄2 3 281⁄2 − 500 2226.6 2.193 0.456
Binder’s board 251⁄4 3 301⁄4 − 500 2652.1 1.841 0.543
Index 251⁄2 3 301⁄2 − 500 2700.5 1.808 0.553
News, wrapping, tissue, carton board 24 3 36 − 500 3000.0 1.627 0.614
Tissue 24 3 36 − 480 2880.0 1.695 0.590
Book and offset 25 3 38 − 500 3298.6 1.480 0.676
Newsboard 26 3 38 − 500 3430.6 1.423 0.703
Former TAPPI standard size 25 3 40 − 500 3472.2 1.406 0.711
10.3 To convert grammage (G) to mass in pounds (BW) of 12.1.1 Repeatability of test results within a labora-
custom trade sizes for 500-sheet reams or, for paperboard, tory = 0.94 %.
1000 ft2, the following equation may be used: 12.1.2 Reproducibility of test results between laborato-
BW 5 Q 3 G (4) ries = 2.84 %.
12.1.3 The above values of precision are averages calcu-
where Q is the conversion factor given in Table 2. Express lated from 18 reports of the TAPPI Collaborative Reference
the results in pounds to three significant figures. Program for Paper. Each test result is an average for approxi-
mately 5000 cm2 of paper and paperboard.
11. Report
12.1.4 The user of this precision data is advised that it is
11.1 Report the grammage in grams per square metre to based on actual mill testing, laboratory testing, or both. There
three significant figures for each test unit and, if required, for is no knowledge of the exact degree to which personnel skills
the average of the test units drawn from the lot. or equipment were optimized during its generation. The
11.2 If the test units have been taken from more than one precision quoted provides an estimate of typical variation in
position across a roll or sheet and information on grammage test results which may be encountered when this standard
variation is required (for example, Note 2), report the average method is routinely used by two or more parties.
for each position separately. 12.2 Bias—The procedure in this test method has no bias
11.3 If desired, the results may also be reported in pounds because the value of grammage is defined only in terms of the
for customary trade sizes. conditions stated in the test method.
11.4 If the total area of a test unit is less than that specified,
state the actual total area tested. 13. Keywords
12. Precision and Bias 13.1 basis weight; grammage; mass per unit area;
12.1 Precision paperboard
ANNEX
(Mandatory Information)
A1.1 Table 2 is for 500-sheet reams except as noted. If the A1.3 To within 0.5 %, mass per unit area in g/m2 is
trade size uses 480-sheet reams, then the factor P is multiplied numerically equal to basis weight in pounds (35 by 40 - 500),
by 50/48 or 1.042 for conversion and factor Q is multiplied by so that by adjusting the size of the template most ream weight
48/50 or 0.960. scales may be used to read directly in g/m2.
A1.2 The U.S. Government Printing Office has discontin-
ued using twice the trade size and is now following tradeprac-
tice.
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APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1.1 A list of preferred grammages and their trade size changes are made.
equivalents is given in Table X1.1. This list is not intended to
require changes in the grammages of currently manufac-tured
products, but is recommended for consideration when product
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