Burst testing – discover the best paper quality test methods

Measuring the strength and resistance of corrugated board and its component parts (linerboard, medium, etc.) is a key part of quality control – and choosing the right corrugated board test is key.  

The impact of burst testing 

Mullen-style burst testing is a global standard technique – not only for corrugated and paperboards, but for paper, non-woven, and textile materials. 

Let’s remind ourselves how burst testing works, and why this application is so important when dealing with corrugated board tests that ensure quality control is upheld. 

Why is burst testing so important? 

Burst testing uses hydraulic pressurization on a focused area of your chosen sample – allowing you to produce a ‘bubble’ which is pressurized to the point of burst failure. This process produces a unique stress situation in the flat plane of the material.  

Why is this necessary? Well, the Mullen burst strength offers a good indication as to how well a corrugated sample will handle performance challenges in which pressure may be applied internally or externally on a small area – in other words, we’re testing for puncture-type failure.  

If you want to learn more about our suite of corrugated board test solutions, including our state-of-the-art 13-56 Burst Tester, click here!

Picking the best paper quality test methods 

ECT and SCT techniques have somewhat displaced the use of Mullen for general corrugated strength testing and performance prediction with many corrugators. However, burst testing is still specified – and indeed required – for many corrugated board test applications.  

In addition, the mode of failure for burst testing is intimately connected to the fiber-level properties of paper-based products – it’s often used to evaluate the effects of selection of raw materials or paper chemistry development on the resulting inter-fiber properties. 

Modern burst testers typically use digitally controlled, hydraulic pressurization of the sample, and can be used across an extensive range of materials.  

Testing standards for burst testing of materials, including paper, corrugated, and paperboard, non-wovens, and textiles are all available – and they each have varying specifications for the measurement area and pressure range. 

But what are the biggest trends impacting corrugated board test solutions? From the rise of ecommerce, to demand for more sustainable solutions, to the diversity of packaging, the need for quality corrugated board tests is accelerating at a rapid pace. You can find out more about the biggest factors impact paper quality test methods in our exclusive report, ‘Your guide to quality corrugated’, here.

Industrial Physics solutions 

With a fair amount of choice on offer, picking the test and inspection instrument that’s right for your corrugated paper is essential, and it can often be easy to make the wrong choice.  

Speaking to a specialist like Industrial Physics is a great way to get this right – receiving support as to the type of instrument you need for your specific range and ensuring we can handle the set-up will start you off on the right track! Not to mention all the advice and service solutions we can offer along the way. 

Get in touch to find out more about the corrugated board test solutions we have on offer!