TEST METHOD OF MULTIPACK

1. Conditioning
The conditioning atmosphere for below tests is 23°C and 50% r.h, unless otherwise noted. Conditioning
time before measurements is 2 x 24 hours minimum. Keep the sample in the prescribed atmosphere
throughout the test.
Important attention: Below tests, like other mechanical tests, is very sensitive to changes in moisture
content of the test piece. Handle the test pieces carefully and never touch with a bare hand the region of the
test piece to be tested. Keep the test pieces away from moisture, heat and other influences that may change
their moisture content.
2. Grammage of paper board (ISO 536) *
Grammage is mass of a unit area of paper board determined by a specific method of test. Grammage is
expressed in grams per square meter
Procedure:
Using the cutting device, cut at least 20 test pieces from at least 5 specimens, if possible taking the same
number from each specimen (100 < test pieces < 1000 cm 2, determine the area of each test piece by
calculation, from measurements taken to the nearest 0,5 mm)
Weigh each test piece and express its mass to three significant figures.
It is recommended, especially when dealing with small pieces, that contact of the test piece with bare hands
be avoided.
3. Tearing resistance (ISO 1974)
Tearing resistance means force per sheet required to continue the tearing started by an initial cut in the test
piece. If the initial cut is in the machine direction, the result is given as the machine-direction tearing
resistance; similarly, if the initial cut is in the cross-direction, the result is given as the cross-direction tearing
resistance. The tearing resistance is expressed in millinewtons (mN).
An initial cut is made in a test piece (of four superimposed sheets), which is then torn out-of-plane through
a given distance along one single tear line using a pendulum. The work done in tearing the test piece is
measured as the loss in energy of the pendulum. The mean tearing force of a single sheet is calculated by
dividing the work done by the distance torn and the number of sheets in a test piece.
The sample shall be free from folds, creases or other visible defects in the area from which the test piece is
cut and the test piece shall not include any part of the sample that is less than 15 mm from the edge of the
sheet or reel. If watermarks are present, this shall be stated in the test report. Test piece dimension as below:

A: test piece
B: knife
C: clamp
D: distance between clamps

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 TEST METHOD OF MULTIPACK

4. Bursting strength (ISO 2795 and R41 USA) *

The definition of bursting strength is the hydrostatic pressure at which a sheet of corrugated cardboard will
burst completely. The bursting strength is expressed in kPa (1kgf/cm 2 = 98.1 kPa). Every side is subjected to
three determinations; 6 determinations are done in total.
Cardboard should be conditioned at 230C, 50%r.h. before the test, which is used Bursting pressure meter.
A sample measuring at least 30 x 30 cm is fixed in the bursting pressure meter and the pressure (about 20 –
23 pounds), increasing at the speed of approx. 2 revolutions per second, is read at which the apparatus
switches off automatically. There should be a minimum distance of 7 cm in cardboard between two
measurements. The measurement is carried out from the inside to the outside (3x) and from the inside to the
outside (3x).
Sample should be free from any printing and damaged and with no perforations /flexion lines.
5. Water absorption test (Cobb test ISO 535)
The water absorption is the difference in weight between 1 m 2 conditioned cardboard and cardboard which
has been exposed to a column of tap-water of 20 + 2, 0C, with height of 10 mm, for 30 min. The test is
carried out by both sides of cardboard. Water absorption is expressed in g/m 2.
A conditioned sample, measuring 15 x 15 cm, of which the weight is known, is fixed in the Water
absorption testing apparatus. Distilled water of 20 0C is poured into the reservoir of the apparatus until the
water column is 1 cm high.
After 30 minutes, the water is drained quickly and any excess water is removed by means of filter paper.
The weight is determined quickly and accurately.
Samples should be unprinted, undamaged, and should not have perforation or scoring.
Calculation: Cobb value in 30 min, g/m 2 = [(wet weight) – (weight of conditioned cardboard)] / (surface of
samples in cm2) x 10,000c.
6. Edge crush test (ISO 3037 and R41-USA) *
Edge Crush Test (ECT) can be replaced by the Box Compression Test (BCT) because the two tests have
linked each other with the formula below:
BCT = 5.87 x ECT x (BP x T)0.5 in which:
T: thickness of case board (m).
BP: inside case perimeter (m) = 2L x 2W.
The edge crush test value of corrugated board is the maximal strength, which can be exerted on a piece of
board with flutes in a vertical position before this piece of carton collapses.
The sample should be conditioned before the test, which is used Crush tester.
A sample of width x height = 51 x 32 mm (2” x 1.25”) – in case of B flute – is reinforced at the head edges
with paraffin wax to a height of 6.3 mm approx. The sample should be cut off from unprinted surface and its
distance from cut lines. Perforation lines and/or flexion lines should be approx. 50 mm.
A crushing pressure device with a speed of 10 mm/mm is applied for the conditioned edge of the sample.
The pressure is read at which crushing resistance is slumped and the device switches off automatically.
7. Box compression test
The Box compression test (BCT) is a direct measurement of the stack ability of a container. It is determined
through compression of conditioned test containers in a compression tester. Result is reported in N (or, kg =
0.102N).

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 TEST METHOD OF MULTIPACK

The empty carton sample should be conditioned before the test, which is used the Compression tester. The
container flaps (top and bottom) shall be secured in the closed position by adhesive, sticks or gummed paper
tape.
The closed container is placed between the platens of the compression tester and is subjected to
compressive action with a speed of 10 ± 3 mm per minute, until the specified values for load/deflection are
obtained.
8. Flat Crush Test
The flat crush test is mainly a measure of the ability of the corrugated board (max force per unit area) to
withstand flat compression until crushed (de) and can also provide guidelines as to the top to bottom
compression resistance of the container. This is because caliper reduction due to poor FCT can also mean
loss in bending stiffness. The FCT is recorded in kPa or kN/m 2 (1 kPa = 104 N/m2).
The sample should be conditioned before the test, which is used the Flat Crush tester. A round test piece is
cut at a diameter of x mm to make its surface of 64.5 cm 2.
The test piece is cut with a circular cutter and placed in the crush tester. The platens of the tester are
covered by a thin emery cloth to avoid slippage. The test result is influenced mainly by the accuracy of the
cutting and by the type of crush tester used.
A continuously increasing load at speed of 10 mm per minute is applied perpendicular to the surface of a
test piece of the samples until the flutes are completely crushed. The maximum load applied is reported as
the FCT value with the below additional calculation:
FCT = F/A, (kN/m2) in which:
F: flat crush resistance or max load obtained (kN)
A: area of the surface, 64.5 x 10-4 m2.
9. Measurement of warp (Heineken method)
Warp can be measured by placing a straight edge ruler against the most concave surface of the blank or
knocked down carton. This should be measured pressure. This is best done by placing a stack of 10 products
in vertical position against the ruler, thus avoiding flattening out due to gravity or other forces. The distance
from the ruler to the concave surface is the amount of warp.
Evaluation:
The amount of warp is expressed as follows:
Hollowness / Length x 100%

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 TEST METHOD OF MULTIPACK

10. Gloss measuring

The gloss measurement test is determined by projecting a beam of light at a fixed intensity and angle onto
a surface and measuring the amount of reflected light at an equal but opposite angle.
The measurement scale, Gloss Units (GU), of a glossmeter is a scaling based on a highly polished
reference black glass standard with a defined refractive index having a specular reflectance of 100GU at the
specified angle
The sample should be conditioned (Ink must be absolutely dried in 24 hours after printing) before the test.
A flat surface to put specimen and take a measuring is required.
Calibrate Glossmeter with a standard title (a Standard tile has assigned gloss unit values for each angle of
measurement which are also traceable to National Standards such as NIST)
Specimens: One full printed sheet with gloss varnish.
Measuring area on 01 carton:

Method: Take a measuring on 05 other places/ panel and take average value to final.
Specification:

Angle of Printing technology Gloss value

measurement expectation

60° Offset > 35GU

Reel Pre-print flexo 35GU < and < 45GU

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 TEST METHOD OF MULTIPACK

11. Rubbing resistance test (TAPPI UM 487 or TAPPI T830) *

Rubbing resistance test is designed to evaluate the rubbing resistance of an ink film to either dry or
scuffing.
Printed boards must be stored at least 24 hours (Flexo printing) and 48 hours (Offset printing) before
testing.

Lab abrasion resistance (*) Practical abrasion resistance

- X = 400 strokes for Offset, process flexo - 100 rounds for Offset, process flexo printing
printing type type
- X = 200 strokes for flexo printing type - 50 rounds for flexo printing type
When the rubs have been completed, examine both the inked surface and the plain surface on the
test block for signs of transfer. The two test strips should be stapled together and used for visual
reference and interpretation. They should be marked plainly with the number of rubs given.
Report the following:
- The number of strokes to ink rub, surface disruption, etc.
- Production date and Testing date.
(*) Lab abrasion resistance
Apply for corrugated board after printing, before die-cutting
Using GT-7034-T Printing Ink Durability Tester
Movement: 42-43 strokes per minute.
Weights: 1.8 kg (4lb), Thus a contact pressure of 6.8/kPa (1lb/in2).
Cut printed sample 152 x 76 mm (6 x 3 in) at specific
position (Picture of cutting area). When the printed area
permits, the longer direction should be cut across the
grain of the sheet. But it must not cross scores. Cut
unprinted sample 152 x 51 mm (6 x 2 in), cut the longer
dimension across the grain of the board.
Clip a 152 x 51 mm (6 x 2 in.) unprinted specimen to the
1.8-kg (4-lb) test block, with the printing surface away
from the rubber pads. Place the printed sample side up,
on the rubber pad of the base plate.
Picture of cutting area

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 TEST METHOD OF MULTIPACK

12. Score quality test (TAPPI 829 om-08 or TAPPI 836 om - 09) *
Score quality test is designed to evaluate relative quality of scores in corrugated containers.
This test determines the force required to break the scored line. This method will not determine spring-
back score or board memory that may exist, nor does it measure forces required to bend entire flaps or
panels.
 Type 1: TAPPI 829 om-08
Recommendation: Use GT 6011-3-2 S (1) tester to test. Apply for corrugated board after die-cutting:
Scored and Unscored board.
GT 6011-3-2 S(1) is a device capable not only of applying a force at a constant speed of 0.8 mm/second,
but also allowing a minimum of 12.7 mm travel, or a sufficient amount of travel to ensure 90 0 bend of the
test sample
A U-shaped channel having an internal width of 27 mm, an
internal depth of 22 mm a wall thickness of 1.6 mm, and an
edge radius of 0.25 mm, with an overall length of 102 mm.
A pressure bar having a thickness of 1.6 mm, and an edge
radius of 0.13 mm, with an overall length of 102 mm

Test Specimen Test procedure:

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 TEST METHOD OF MULTIPACK

 Type 2: TAPPI 836 om – 09

Recommendation: Bending tester for score and crease (model: TMC-K-200) to test. Apply for corrugated
board after die-cutting: Scored and Unscored board.
Specification:
Maximum value: 0.01N (1g)
Test speed: 300 mm/min

Test procedure:

Force gauge of load cell capable of measuring and indicating the applied force to within ± 1% or 2.5N
whichever is greater and must have sufficient capacity so that all reading can be maintained in the middle
half of the scale.
Force gauge of load cell should be attached to be stationary member of the device.
The Score quality test is recorded in 1Kgf /10 cm or N/10 cm (1Kgf = 10 N).
13. Thickness of carton / height flute
Position of cutting specimen on carton:
Use knife to cut a triangle specimen with the side of triangle is 50 mm at center of bottom panel and big
panel.
And then use caliper to check thickness of
carton include 03 paper layers (Top liner –
medium – test liner). Unit: mm

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 TEST METHOD OF MULTIPACK

14. Checking dimension of carton*

Measure dimension of die cut mould

Measure dimensions of carton

- It should measure inside of carton (non-printing side).

Fold the flaps of carton with 45 degree and use pen to draw a line on folding line of carton.
- Mark virtually all folding lines with pens and measure one by one panel of carton.

Start measuring from 100 mm position on tape measure.

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 TEST METHOD OF MULTIPACK

- At the end of the measurement, subtract 100 mm from the result.

Example: 501 – 100 = 401 mm

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