If you’re struggling with inconsistent paper weight, moisture sensitivity, or fiber defects in your paper and corrugated packaging, standardized testing methods can help you better analyze their quality, consistency, and performance. Test methods developed by the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) ensure consistent quality control across the paper and packaging sector. There are numerous TAPPI standards; however, there are two primary yet distinct test methods for weighing your paper or corrugated board samples: TAPPI T410 vs TAPPI T844.
Both standards help verify material properties, ensure manufacturing consistency, and provide quantitative data about your packaging’s characteristics. However, despite these similarities, each standard does have a specific purpose. Let’s dive deeper into each standard and analyze how they can help you optimize your paper packaging quality, whether that packaging is made of paper or corrugated boards.
TAPPI T410: Grammage of Paper and Paperboard
TAPPI T410 determines the weight of paper and paperboard by measuring the mass per unit area (grammage) of the materials. It provides a consistent method of weight measurement for the pulp and paper industry, which is vital in quality control and pricing.
To calculate its weight, the paper sample is cut to a specific size and weighed on an electronic balance. Then, the grammage (also known as basis weight) is calculated by dividing the weight by the area.
There are several key benefits to TAPPI T410:
- It ensures consistency in paper and paperboard manufacturing
- It helps manufacturers control raw material usage in production & meet product specifications
- It provides data for other physical properties like bursting strength, thickness, and bulk.
TAPPI T844: Construction of Corrugated Boards
TAPPI T844 is another standard testing method used to determine basis weight, this time of corrugated board.
This procedure involves submerging test samples of corrugated fiberboard in water to separate the component layers. These layers are then dried and weighed. The test results include the nominal grade for each layer of the corrugated board, as well as the nominal flute sizes, type, and number of corrugated flutes per foot.
Like TAPPI T410, TAPPI T844 helps manufacturers maintain consistency and quality. However, while TAPPI T410’s primary goal is to measure basis weight, TAPPI T844’s primary goal is to identify the marketing grade using the basis weight.
TAPPI T410 vs TAPPI T844
While both TAPPI standards focus on the basis weight of your packaging materials, there are several distinct differences between the two.
First, and most importantly, TAPPI T410 applies to all paper and paperboard materials. TAPPI T844 is specifically for corrugated boards and boxes.
Another difference is in the components being weighed. TAPPI T410 weighs the overall grammage of the paper material while TAPPI T844 weighs the individual components of the corrugated structure.
Finally, the test methods themselves differ. TAPPI T410 weighs the dry samples of your paperboard. TAPPI T844 immerses the sample in water to separate the layers. These separate components are then dried and weighed.
Ensuring Quality, Performance, and Cost
When comparing TAPPI T410 vs TAPPI T844, it’s also important to consider the different benefits these standards offer. These two standards play an important role in ensuring the quality, design, and even pricing of your paper or corrugated packaging.
TAPPI T410 is primarily used for pricing and quality control. The grammage, or basis weight, directly reflects the raw materials used in paper production. A higher grammage indicates more raw materials, which impacts cost and, ultimately, price. A consistent unit of measurement means a consistent price across the globe.
TAPPI T410 also helps indicate the performance of the paper’s other physical properties, such as bursting strength, tensile strength, and thickness. A consistent grammage means these properties are also consistent.
TAPPI T844’s main benefit is that it helps verify supplier claims about material composition. By breaking down the corrugated components and measuring them individually, manufacturers can confirm the material’s grade. Once they have this data, they can make informed decisions on material type and thickness, as well as how the packaging will withstand storage and shipping conditions.
Optimizing Packaging with TAPPI Testing
Understanding the differences between TAPPI T410 vs TAPPI T844 is essential for ensuring the quality, consistency, and cost-effectiveness of your paper and corrugated packaging. Whether you need to verify grammage for pricing and performance or analyze the composition of corrugated board layers, these standardized tests provide the data necessary to make informed decisions about your packaging materials.
Are your packaging materials meeting industry standards? Could inconsistencies in weight or composition be affecting your product’s performance and cost? Purple Diamond specializes in comprehensive package testing, including TAPPI testing, helping you validate quality and optimize your packaging for durability and efficiency. Contact us today to learn how our expertise can support your packaging goals.
