Zwick launches a new materials testing machine for the Box Crush Test (BCT)

Measure the strength of packaging

The BCT (box compression test) value is a measure of the strength of packaging, indicating how much force the packaging can absorb and dissipate without buckling. The test involves compressing a carton made of corrugated board until the side-walls fail. Uses for the values obtained include the production of packing for heavy goods, determining stacking height or optimizing the stacking characteristics of fruit and vegetable crates. Zwick’s latest testing machine performs these tests simply and reliably, while meeting the requirements of both European and Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) standards.

To determine the stacking strength of corrugated cartons the carton is subjected to compression loading until it fails. European standards require fixed compression platens for testing the behavior of a carton with loads applied to opposing corners or edges, and a spherically mounted upper platen when loads are applied to opposing surfaces. By contrast, TAPPI requires fixed compression platens as a general principle.

The new Zwick Box Crush Machine covers both options. The upper compression platen can be adjusted to be movable or fixed parallel to the lower compression measurement platform, allowing both European standards (ISO 12048) and TAPPI guidelines (T 804), together with pipe tests to DIN 16961-2 and ASTM D 2412, to be catered for.

The testing machine features precision guides and a generous test-area width (1040mm). The base crosshead is constructed as a measuring platform with compression platen and four integrated load cells. To increase the tilt resistance of the moving crosshead the crosshead guides have been reinforced.
Various options and modules can be used to expand this testing machine, which is designed to be equally suitable for use in research and development or quality control and goods inwards checks.