ISO 534-05

Introducing ISO 534-05 – Industrial Physics

ISO 534-05 is a global ISO thickness testing standard to measure various types of paper and board. 

Using a precision micrometer and following this DIN international standard you’ll be able to measure the single sheet thickness and the bulking thickness of your samples.  

The ISO 534-05 paper thickness testing method calculates the apparent sheet density and apparent bulk density of paper and board from a knowledge of its grammage and thickness.  

This ISO testing standard is not applicable to corrugated fiberboard – get in touch to talk through the alternative options.   

ISO 534-05 thickness testing apparatus

In order to perform a successful ISO 534-05 thickness test then you’ll need some of the following apparatus, all of which we can supply. 

Dead-weight precision micrometer: incorporating two plane, parallel, circular pressure faces, between which the paper or board is placed for measurement. 

Thickness gauges: corresponding to approximately 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 90% of the full-scale reading of the precision micrometer. 

Key ISO 534-05 testing definitions

To perform a successful ISO 534-05 thickness test it helps to understand a few key definitions: 

Single sheet thickness: the distance between one surface of a paper or board and the other, measured under an applied static load.  

Bulking thickness: thickness of a single sheet of paper, calculated from the thickness of several superimposed sheets in a pack and measured under an applied static load.  

Apparent sheet density: the mass per unit volume, expressed in grams per cubic centimeter, and calculated from the single sheet thickness. 

Apparent bulk density: the mass per unit volume, expressed in grams per cubic centimeter, and calculated from the bulking thickness 

Apparent specific sheet volume: the volume per unit mass, expressed in cubic centimeters per gram, and calculated from the single sheet thickness. 

Apparent specific bulk volume: the volume per unit mass, expressed in cubic centimeters per gram, and calculated from the bulking thickness. 

Our ISO 534-05 thickness testing equipment

So, how can Industrial Physics improve your ISO 534-05 thickness testing? 

Testing Machines Inc. Digital Micrometer 49-86
The Digital Micrometer 49-86 quickly and precisely measures the thickness and caliper of most sheet materials – from paper, fabric and films to plastic, metal and leather.  

Brought to you by Testing Machines Inc, our physical property materials testing brand, this reliable digital micrometer is designed for the thinnest of samples. It has a highly accurate measurement range of 0-0.050in. (0-1.27mm), making it the perfect digital micrometer for paper. 

With you through thick and thin!

We’ve learnt a thing or two about measuring apparent sheet density testing and apparent bulk density over the decades. Now Industrial Physics is recognized as a brand that likes to create innovative thickness testing equipment to market. 

We like to share our knowledge and we’re here to help you to answer your questions about paper thickness testing. Across the knowledgebase section of our website we publish lots of blogs on related subjects.  

You could start with this blog – guide to corrugated cardboard thickness grades. Then perhaps follow-up with this piece which delves further into the best ways to measure paper thickness. 

If you have any questions about ISO 534-05 and how we can help you with your paper thickness testing, then please just get in touch!  

Your global test and measurement partner for ISO 534-05