Strength: Knowing the strength of corrugated material.
To determine the strength of a box and corrugated material, several tests can be performed, including:
Bursting test: A bursting test measures the amount of pressure required to burst or collapse a corrugated box. This test is used to determine the box's ability to withstand external pressures, such as those encountered during shipping.
Edge crush test (ECT): An ECT measures the compression strength of the box's edges. This test is used to determine the box's ability to withstand internal pressures, such as those encountered when the box is stacked with other boxes.
Stacking test: A stacking test measures the maximum load a box can bear when stacked on top of other boxes. This test is used to determine the box's ability to withstand vertical loads, such as those encountered during storage and transport.
Flat crush test (FCT): An FCT measures the compression strength of a piece of corrugated material. This test is used to determine the material's ability to withstand internal pressures, such as those encountered when the material is used to make a box.
Puncture resistance test: A puncture resistance test measures the resistance of the box material to puncture, it can be done by using a puncture tester machine.
Drop test: A drop test measures the resistance of the box to impact, it can be done by using a drop tester machine.
Other specific tests: Depending on the product and the transportation method, other specific tests may be required, such as vibration testing, environmental testing, or simulated transportation testing.
It's important to note that the standards used for these tests vary depending on the country and industry. The standards used in the United States are T-277 (Bursting Test), D-642 (ECT) and D-4728 (Stacking Test) while the European standards are EN-ISO 3037 (Bursting Test), EN-ISO 3035 (ECT) and EN-ISO 11998 (Stacking Test).
It's important to consult with the carrier, packaging engineer or the industry standard organizations to determine which tests are appropriate for a particular product and packaging solution.
