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Containerboard testing methods

Is it strong enough? Tensile strength, burst strength, and short span compression tests make sure your containerboard components have the right specifications.

Tensile strength and other tests

There are a number of standardized tests that are used to determine the strength and durability of containerboard components.

The below video shows how to measure tensile strength, which tells you how resistant a paper is to web breaks. The tensile strength measurement is used for calculating tensile stiffness. The measurement unit is kN/m, kilonewton per metre.

It's only since recently that lightweight papers have been able to manifest sufficient strength to be comparable for the intended end uses. Please be aware that many test methods are developed for 100 grams per square metre and up, and may need adaptions to avoid limitations. Therefore, CEPI Containerboard association defines their test results for papers <100 grams per square metre only as indicative.

Tensile strength. Watch video on YouTube.

Short span compression

Short span compression test, SCT, tells you how much compression force your paper can take before the structure starts collapsing. A strip of paper is compressed between two clamps until the paper buckles. SCT is measured in kN/m, kilonewton per metre. 

Burst strength test

The burst strength video shows how to measure how much pressure a paper sheet can stand before it bursts. The paper is clamped down and exposed to pressure. The measurement unit for burst strength is kPa, kilopascal. 

Short span compression test (SCT). Watch video on YouTube.

Short span compression test (SCT). Watch video on YouTube.

Learn more about lightweight components

How much more paper can you get when switching to lightweight containerboard components? Our production process preserves the stability and elasticity of the wood fibre, giving the paper unique strength properties, so that you can use a lower grammage without losing strength. This will also reduce your carbon footprint.

Read about Holmen INNR

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Holmen Board and Paper produces premium paperboard and innovative paper products for everything from cosmetics, electronics, pharmaceuticals and food to books, magazines, advertising and transport packaging. Our products are appreciated by conscious customers due to their exceptional properties and low climate footprint. We use fresh fibre from sustainably managed forests and have a total of four production facilities in Sweden and in the UK.

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