Box compression test
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The box compression test (bct) measures the compressive strength of boxes made of
corrugated fiberboard as well as wooden boxes and crates. It provides a plot of
deformation vs compressive force. Containers other than boxes can also be subjected to
compression testing: drum, pail, etc.
Compression tester for shipping containers
A BCT plot is a measure of the strength of a shipping container and is measured in kN
Kilonewton or pounds of force: deflection or deformation is measured in mm or inches.
Contents
[hide]
1 Test Procedures
2 Factors potentially affecting test results
3 Estimations
4 Relevant Standards
5 References
6 See also
[edit] Test Procedures
A common method of conducting the test, as described in several published standard test
methods, is to compress a box at a constant rate of 1/2 inch (12.5 mm) per minute
between two rigid platens. The platens can be fixed so that they remain parallel or one
can be pivoted or "floating". The test can be conducted on empty or filled boxes, with or
without a box closure. Conditioning to standard temperature and humidity is important.
The results of the constant rate of compression test can be:
The peak load
The deformation at peak load
The load at a critical deformation (head space, etc)
The ability of a box to protect the contents from compression damage
etc
The dynamic loads have some relationship with expected field loads.[1]: often factors of 4
or 5 are used to estimate the allowable working load on boxes.
A test can also be conducted with platens that are not mechanically driven but are free to
move with a fixed mass (or fixed force) loaded upon them. The results of static load
testing can be:
The time to failure
The time to a critical deformation
The ability of a box to protect the contents from compression damage
etc
As with any laboratory testing field validation is necessary to determine suitability.
[edit] Factors potentially affecting test results
Size and construction of the specific shipping container under test
Grade and flute structure of corrugated fiberboard
moisture content of the corrugated board (based on relative humidity)[2]
Orientation of the box during the test
Inner supports, if used during testing (wood, corrugated board, cushioning)
Contents (when box is tested with contents)
Box closure
Whether the compression machine has "fixed" or "floating" (swiveled) platens.
Previous handling or testing of box[3]
etc
[edit] Estimations
Corrugated fiberboard can be evaluated by many material test methods including an Edge
Crush Test (ECT). There have been efforts to estimate the compression strength of a box
(usually empty, regular singelwall slotted containers, top-to-bottom) based on various
board properties. Some have involved finite element analysis.[4] One of the commonly
referenced empirical estimations was puplished by McKee in 1963.[5] This used the board
ECT, the MD and CD flexural stiffness, the box perimeter, and the box depth.
Simplifications have used a formula involving the board ECT, the board thickness, and
the box perimeter. Most estimations do not relate well to other box orientations, box
styles, or to filled boxes. Physical testing of filled and closed boxes remains necessary.
[edit] Relevant Standards
ASTM Standard D642 Test Method for Determining Compressive Resistance of
Shipping Containers, Components, and Unit Loads.
ASTM Standard D4577 Test Method for Compression Resistance of a Container
Under Constant Load
ASTM Standard D7030 Test Method for Short Term Creep Performance of
Corrrugated Fiberboard Containers Under Constant Load Using a Compression
Test Machine
German Standard DIN 55440-1 Packaging Test; compression test; test with a
constant conveyance-speed
ISO 12048 Packaging -- Complete, filled transport packages -- Compression and
stacking tests using a compression tester
[edit] References
1. ^ Burgess, G; Singh, Srinagyam (July 2005). "Predicting Collapse Times for
Corrugated Boxes Under Top Load". ASTM JTE 33 (4).
2. ^ Miltz, J; Rosen-Doody (February 1981). "Effect of atmospheric environment on
the performance of corrugated". Packaging Technology: 19–23.
3. ^ Singh, S. P.; Pratheepthinthong (July 2000). "Loss of Compression Strength in
Corrugated Shipping Containers Shipped in the Single Parcel Environment". J.
Testing and Evaluation 28 (4).
4. ^ Urbanik, T J (July 1981). "Effect of paperboard stress strain characteristics on
strength of singlewall corrugated boxes". US Forest Products Laboratory Report
FPL 401.
5. ^ McKee, R C; Gander, Wachuta (August 1963). "Compression strength formula
for corrugated boxes". Paperboard Packaging 48 (8).
Brody, A. L., and Marsh, K, S., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John
Wiley & Sons, 1997, ISBN 0-471-06397-5
Soroka, W, "Fundamentals of Packaging Technology", IoPP, 2002, ISBN 1-
930268-25-4
[edit] See also
Corrugated box design
Corrugated fiberboard
Package testing
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