Cobb Testing

Absorb our expertise

If you work with paper, board, or corrugated sheets, understanding water absorptiveness – the Cobb value – is critical for packaging performance and print quality. Cobb testing offers you a standardised way to measure how much water your material absorbs in a set time, expressed as mass of water per square meter.​
 

What is Cobb testing?

In a typical Cobb test, a defined test area of your sample is clamped in a sealed cylinder, exposed to a specific volume of water for a set duration, then removed, blotted, and re‑weighed. The difference in mass reveals how your paper or board behaves when it encounters moisture, helping you balance ink receptivity, barrier properties, and structural strength. This simple procedure is widely used in packaging plants, paper mills, and independent labs as part of routine quality control.​
 

Reliable Cobb test results

Industrial Physics Cobb testers make this process fast, repeatable, and aligned with key international standards such as TAPPI T 441. Whether you prefer manual or auto‑clamping systems, our Cobb test instruments support consistent test conditions across different grades, from lightweight paper to heavy corrugated board. The reliable Cobb test data you gain helps you prove compliance with customer specifications and reduce costly failures linked to delamination, warping, or loss of compression strength in humid environments.​
 

Cobb tester solutions for every material

Whatever materials you work with, there’s a Cobb test solution to match your needs – from simple single‑ring testers for paper to systems optimised for corrugated packaging. Our devices are used by packaging manufacturers, converters, brand owners, and labs worldwide to qualify new materials, monitor production, and benchmark suppliers.
 

Explore our Cobb testing options

Check out our cobb testing options below or contact us today if you have a unique requirement that calls for a customised Cobb test solution.
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