SAMPLES NEEDED
Confirmed when we scope your test
TYPICAL TURNAROUND
1-2 days
You probably need this if
You need to confirm liner and medium weights against a box specification or certificate
A box is failing and you need to know whether the board was lighter than specified
You’re comparing suppliers or checking a down-gauged board
You’re documenting the board in a UN-certified box design
What the test involves
01
Specimen cutting
Specimens of a known area are cut from the board, paper or paperboard.
02
Ply separation
For corrugated board, specimens are soaked in water until the adhesive releases, then the liners and medium are separated and cleaned.
03
Drying and conditioning
The separated plies are dried, then conditioned in the standard atmosphere for paper and board testing (TAPPI T402) so moisture does not skew the weights.
04
Weighing
Each ply is weighed on a precision balance. The medium is corrected for flute take-up, since fluting uses more paper than the flat area of the board.
05
Reporting
Results are reported per ply in pounds per thousand square feet (for example 42-26-42) or in grams per square meter.
What to send us
Flat sheets of the board or finished boxes. We’ll confirm how many.
Design drawings or a packaging specification, if you have them.
Ship to 9708 Industrial Drive, Bridgeview, Illinois 60455.
Not sure the count is right for your configuration? We confirm it with you before you ship anything.
Related standards
Common questions
What is basis weight?
The weight of a paper or board for a given area. For corrugated, it is usually listed for each ply, so 42-26-42 means a 42 lb outer liner, a 26 lb medium and a 42 lb inner liner per thousand square feet. Double wall board has five numbers.
Why does basis weight matter for UN packaging?
The board in a UN-certified box is part of the certified design. Basis weight is one way to show that production boxes use the same board as the boxes that passed testing.
Can you test basis weight along with other board tests?
Yes. Basis weight is often run on the same samples as edge crush, burst, caliper and Cobb testing.
Not certain basis weight is the right test?
Send us an email, give us a call, or schedule time to chat. We can answer your questions and let you know which standard applies for your situation.
