PL-100 Bursting Strength Tester for Corrugated Board and Packaging Materials

Overview

The PL-100 Bursting Strength Tester is a precision hydraulic-based instrument engineered for the quantitative evaluation of bursting resistance in corrugated fiberboard, solid bleached board (SBB), linerboard, and other paper-based packaging substrates. It operates on the fundamental principle of controlled hydraulic pressure application via a sealed oil cylinder system, where a standardized rubber diaphragm expands under increasing pressure until the specimen ruptures. The burst strength—expressed in kg/cm², kPa, or N—is recorded at the point of failure, providing a direct mechanical indicator of tensile integrity, inter-fiber bond strength, and structural resilience under perpendicular stress. Designed to meet international standard test methodologies, the PL-100 delivers repeatable, traceable results essential for QC/QA laboratories in packaging manufacturing, third-party testing facilities, and regulatory compliance departments.

Key Features

• High-accuracy pressure transduction: Equipped with a U.S.-sourced piezoresistive pressure sensor calibrated to ±1 kPa full-scale accuracy, ensuring metrological reliability across the 0–100 kg/cm² measurement range.
• Robust hydraulic architecture: Precision-machined brass oil cylinder, hardened stainless steel platen, and aerospace-grade aluminum front panel provide long-term dimensional stability and leak-free operation over >50,000 test cycles.
• Motorized clamping and automated burst detection: Integrated servo-controlled clamping mechanism applies consistent annular pressure; real-time analog-to-digital conversion enables precise rupture point identification without operator intervention.
• Integrated LED display and embedded microcontroller: Real-time display of applied force (kg/N/lb), burst value, and elapsed test time; onboard firmware supports zero calibration, span adjustment, and unit switching.
• Dedicated calibration interface: Internal diagnostic mode allows certified metrology labs to perform two-point verification using NIST-traceable deadweight standards—fully compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for equipment validation.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PL-100 accommodates standard circular specimens of 10.0 ± 0.1 cm diameter (per ASTM D774 and ISO 2758), with automatic edge alignment and uniform clamping pressure distribution. It supports single-ply, multi-ply, coated, uncoated, and recycled fiberboard substrates up to 8 mm thickness. All mechanical and electronic components conform to IEC 61000-4 electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards. Test reports generated by the device satisfy documentation requirements for ISO 9001 internal audits, FDA-regulated packaging validation (21 CFR Part 11–compatible when paired with optional PC software), and GLP-compliant data archiving.

Software & Data Management

While the base model features standalone operation with thermal printing capability (high-speed 58 mm dot-matrix printer included), an optional RS-232/USB interface enables bidirectional communication with Windows-based data acquisition software. This software supports batch test logging, statistical analysis (mean, SD, CV%), pass/fail threshold configuration, PDF report generation with digital signature fields, and export to CSV or Excel formats. Audit trails record operator ID, timestamp, calibration history, and firmware version—meeting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures when deployed in regulated environments.

Applications

• Quality control of incoming linerboard and corrugated medium in packaging converters
• Validation of recycled content impact on burst performance per TAPPI T220 sp. and ISO 186
• Correlation studies between burst strength, Mullen test values, and ring crush test (RCT) outcomes
• Supplier qualification and material specification verification against contractual burst thresholds (e.g., ≥12 kg/cm² for Class A shipping containers)
• Research into fiber orientation effects, coating adhesion failure modes, and moisture-induced strength loss

FAQ

What international standards does the PL-100 comply with?

The instrument meets the mechanical and procedural requirements of ASTM D774, ISO 2758, TAPPI T403, and GB/T 454. Calibration procedures align with ISO/IEC 17025 Annex A.3.

Can the PL-100 be used for non-standard specimen sizes?

No—the test head geometry and diaphragm size are fixed to ensure conformity with standardized test area (78.5 cm²). Deviations invalidate compliance with referenced methods.

Is third-party calibration support available?

Yes. The built-in calibration mode accepts external reference standards; we provide calibration certificates issued by A2LA-accredited labs upon request.

What maintenance intervals are recommended?

Hydraulic oil replacement every 12 months or 5,000 tests; annual verification of sensor linearity and clamping force uniformity using certified load cells.

Does the device support GLP-compliant data archiving?

When operated with the optional PC software package, it provides user-access logs, electronic signatures, and immutable audit trails required under Good Laboratory Practice guidelines.