Drick DRK110 Cobb Absorption Tester & Oil Resistance Tester for Paper and Paperboard
| Brand | Drick |
|---|---|
| Origin | Shandong, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Regional Classification | Domestic (China) |
| Model | DRK110 |
| Price Range | USD 700 – 1,150 |
Overview
The Drick DRK110 Cobb Absorption Tester & Oil Resistance Tester is a precision laboratory instrument engineered for standardized quantitative evaluation of surface liquid interaction properties in paper and paperboard materials. It operates exclusively on the internationally recognized Cobb method (ISO 535:2014 — “Paper and board — Determination of water absorptiveness — Cobb method”) and complies with GB/T 1540–2002 (Chinese national standard equivalent to ISO 535) for water absorption, as well as GB 5406–1985 (“Determination of oil resistance of paper”) for oil permeation assessment. The device measures Cobb value — defined as the mass gain (in grams per square meter, g/m²) of a specimen after controlled contact with water under specified pressure, temperature, and dwell time — and supports parallel evaluation of oil resistance via standardized blotting protocols. Its mechanical design follows gravimetric principles: a fixed-area metal cylinder (100 ± 0.2 cm² cross-section) applies uniform contact pressure via a calibrated smooth metal roller (200 ± 0.5 mm width, 10 ± 0.5 kg mass), ensuring reproducible surface wetting conditions essential for QC laboratories, R&D facilities, and third-party testing institutes engaged in packaging, pulp & paper, and regulatory compliance workflows.
Key Features
- Fixed-diameter test cylinder with precisely machined internal cross-sectional area of 100 ± 0.2 cm² and height of 50 mm — ensures consistent sample exposure geometry per ISO 535 and GB/T 1540.
- Calibrated smooth metal roller (200 ± 0.5 mm width, 10 ± 0.5 kg mass) for uniform pressure application during specimen conditioning — critical for minimizing edge effects and achieving repeatable interfacial contact.
- Designed for use with standardized absorbent blotting paper (200–250 g/m² basis weight; capillary rise ≥75 mm/10 min), enabling traceable comparison across laboratories.
- Compatible with distilled or deionized water as test medium — eliminates ionic interference and ensures measurement fidelity in accordance with ASTM D570 and ISO 2528 prerequisites.
- Operational ambient temperature range: 25 ± 10 °C — aligns with standard conditioning requirements per ISO 187 and TAPPI T 402, supporting integration into climate-controlled lab environments.
- Modular accessory support: accommodates Class I analytical balances (0.001 g resolution), certified digital timers (±0.1 s accuracy), and optional Cobb-specific circular sampling cutters (e.g., 125 mm diameter) for compliant specimen preparation.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The DRK110 is validated for flat, non-laminated paper and paperboard substrates with grammage ranging from 40 g/m² to 350 g/m² and thickness up to 1.2 mm. It excludes coated, metallized, or heavily calendered grades requiring modified surface energy protocols. All test procedures adhere strictly to ISO 535, GB/T 1540, and GB 5406 — making results admissible in GLP-compliant quality audits, supplier qualification dossiers, and ISO 9001:2015-certified production monitoring. Instrument documentation includes traceable calibration records for roller mass and cylinder geometry, satisfying clause 7.1.5 of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for measurement equipment verification.
Software & Data Management
The DRK110 is a manually operated, analog-precision instrument without embedded firmware or digital interface. Data acquisition relies on external laboratory-grade instrumentation: balances with RS-232/USB output, timestamp-enabled timers, and LIMS-integrated spreadsheets. Users may implement audit-trail–enabled data entry templates aligned with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with validated electronic record systems. Calibration logs, environmental condition logs (temperature/humidity), and raw mass readings (G₁ and G₂) are retained per ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.7, supporting full traceability for accreditation body inspections.
Applications
- Quality control of kraft linerboard and corrugating medium for moisture barrier performance in export packaging.
- Evaluation of surface sizing efficiency in alkaline rosin/rosin-alum and AKD-based papermaking systems.
- Comparative analysis of inkjet coating formulations for office paper — correlating Cobb values with dot gain and drying behavior.
- Regulatory submission testing for food-contact paperboards under EU Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 — where Cobb < 35 g/m² at 60 s is often specified.
- Accelerated aging studies assessing hydrolytic degradation of archival papers per ISO 11108.
- Supplier qualification testing for grease-resistant bakery papers per ASTM F763.
FAQ
What standards does the DRK110 fully support?
ISO 535:2014, GB/T 1540–2002, and GB 5406–1985 — with full geometric and procedural compliance for both Cobb water absorption and oil resistance testing.
Is temperature control built into the instrument?
No — the DRK110 requires external environmental control. Testing must be conducted in a room maintained at 25 ± 10 °C per ISO 187 and standard method prerequisites.
Can the DRK110 measure Cobb values beyond 60 seconds?
Yes — dwell time is user-defined (commonly 60 s or 120 s); the instrument’s mechanical design supports any duration within operator-defined experimental protocols.
Does it include a built-in balance or timer?
No — these are external accessories. We recommend a 0.001 g readability balance and a timer with ±0.1 s resolution for full standard compliance.
Is calibration certification provided with shipment?
Yes — each unit ships with a factory-verified dimensional certificate for cylinder cross-section and roller mass, traceable to national metrology institutes.
