Testing Standard:
TAPPI T844 Determining Construction (Nominal Basis Weight) of Corrugated Board
Standard Number
TAPPI T844
Standard Title
Determining Construction (Nominal Basis Weight) of Corrugated Board, Test Method
Overview of TAPPI T844 Basis Weight of Corrugated:
TAPPI T844 Test Method is used to verify the grade of corrugated material. This method is ideal when comparing the corrugated material against the manufacturer’s specifications or verifying against previously tested materials.
BOARD (MICROGRAMS PER SQUARE METRE)
TAPPI T844 is a standard test method developed by the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) to determine the basis weight of corrugated board, expressed in micrograms per square meter (µg/m²). Basis weight is the weight of a paper or paperboard per unit area, and is usually expressed in pounds per ream (500 sheets). However, for corrugated board, which is a composite material made up of multiple layers of paper and adhesive, the basis weight is usually expressed in micrograms per square meter. To determine the basis weight of corrugated board according to TAPPI T844, a sample is cut to a specified size and weighed. The dimensions of the sample depend on the type of corrugated board being tested. The sample is then conditioned to a specified relative humidity and temperature to ensure accuracy of the test.
Next, the sample is placed on a flat surface and an area of 100 square centimeters is marked off. The sample is then placed on a balance and the weight is recorded. The basis weight is then calculated using the following formula: Basis weight (µg/m²) = weight of sample (grams) / (area of sample in square meters x 10)
TAPPI T844 is a widely recognized and accepted method for determining the basis weight of corrugated board and is used by paper and packaging manufacturers and quality control agencies worldwide. Purple Diamond Testing offers TAPPI T844 Determining Construction (Nominal Basis Weight) of Corrugated Board as part of our packaging compliance and validation services.
Rationale of TAPPI T844 Basis Weight of Corrugated:
TAPPI T844 – Determining Construction (Nominal Basis Weight) of Corrugated Board. This test method is the first step in evaluating corrugated board when managing quality control, verification to specifications, and in predicting the expected strength performance of corrugated materials. The board is soaked in water and the adhesive is removed. The layers of paper are then oven dried and reacclimated to ambient lab conditions before being weighed. In most cases, the basis weight of combined board is specified in pounds per thousand square feet for each part (lbs./MSF). For example, a single wall board would be identified as “42 / 33 / 42” (outer liner, medium, and inner liner).
Key Points:
- Correlates to other paper characteristics such as TAPPI T403 for bursting strength
- Crucial when designing corrugated packaging
- Utilize this test method to ensure quality control
Related Standards:
- ISO 536 – Paper and Board – Determination of Grammage
- TAPPI T410 – Grammage of Paper and Paperboard (Weight Per Unit Area)
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