ISO 3039:2010

Corrugated fibreboard - Determination of grammage of the component papers after separation

ISO 3039:2010 specifies a method for determining the grammage of the component layers from which corrugated fibreboard has been made. ISO 3039:2010 is applicable to all types of corrugated fibreboard.

Carton ondulé — Détermination du grammage des papiers composants après leur séparation

Valoviti karton - Določanje gramature posameznih slojev papirja po razslojevanju

Ta mednarodni standard opredeljuje metodo za določanje gramature posameznih slojev papirja, iz katerega je bil narejen valoviti karton. Ta mednarodni standard se uporablja za vse vrste valovitega kartona.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 20-Jul-2010
• ICS: 85.060 - Paper and board
• ICS: 85.080.30 - Cardboard
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 6/SC 2 - Test methods and quality specifications for paper and board
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 6/SC 2 - Test methods and quality specifications for paper and board
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 10-Sep-2021
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025
• Ref Project: SIST ISO 3039:2011 - Corrugated fibreboard -- Determination of grammage of the component papers after separation

Relations

• Revised: SIST ISO 3039:1996 - Corrugated fibreboard -- Determination of the grammage of the component papers after separation
• Effective Date: 12-May-2008
• Revises: ISO 3039:1975 - Corrugated fibreboard - Determination of the grammage of the component papers after separation
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2008

Overview

ISO 3039:2010 - Corrugated fibreboard: Determination of grammage of the component papers after separation specifies a laboratory test method to determine the grammage (mass per unit area) of the individual component papers (liners and fluting) that make up corrugated fibreboard. The method is applicable to all types of corrugated fibreboard and describes specimen preparation, layer separation by water immersion, removal of surface adhesive, drying, conditioning and weighing to determine the grammage of each component layer.

Key Topics and requirements

• Scope: Applicable to single- and multi-wall corrugated fibreboard for separation and grammage determination of component layers.
• Sampling and specimen size: Representative sampling per ISO 186; specimen area = 10 000 mm² (112.8 mm diameter or 100 × 100 mm square). Five test pieces per component layer are recommended.
• Separation method: Soak specimens in tap water (normally 20–30 °C; up to 60 °C for water‑resistant adhesives) until layers separate with minimal fibre transfer. Remove visible, non‑absorbed adhesive by light scraping while wet.
• Drying and conditioning: Dry separated layers to constant mass in an oven at 105 °C ± 2 °C. Condition dried layers according to ISO 187 before final weighing. Free (unrestrained) drying is the prescribed approach.
• Weighing and calculation: Use a balance capable of 0.001 g resolution; determine grammage in g/m² by converting the measured mass and specimen area. Report the arithmetic mean of five determinations and the standard deviation.
• Limitations: Some adhesive may remain absorbed in the paper and increase measured grammage; results therefore tend to be higher than initial (pre‑assembly) masses.
• Precision data: Annex A provides repeatability/reproducibility information based on an international round-robin.

Applications and who uses it

• Quality control in corrugated board production - verifying component paper weights and consistency.
• Supplier and incoming inspection - confirming that delivered liners and flutings meet specified grammage when direct pre‑production data are unavailable.
• Packaging R&D and specification - determining component mass allocation for design, strength, and cost calculations.
• Failure analysis and forensic testing - separating layers to examine material composition and adhesive effects.
• Independent testing laboratories and standards/compliance teams that certify packaging materials.

Keywords: ISO 3039:2010, corrugated fibreboard, grammage, component papers, separation method, packaging testing, quality control.

Related standards (if applicable)

• ISO 186 - Sampling to determine average quality
• ISO 187 - Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing
• ISO 4046-4 - Definitions for paper and board terms (liners, fluting)
• ISO 536 - Grammage (general definition)
• FEFCO 102 / TUF reference for fluting take‑up factor (informative guidance)

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2011
9DORYLWLNDUWRQ'RORþDQMHJUDPDWXUHSRVDPH]QLKVORMHYSDSLUMDSRUD]VORMHYDQMX
Corrugated fibreboard -- Determination of grammage of the component papers after
separation
Carton ondulé -- Détermination du grammage des papiers composants après leur
séparation
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 3039:2010
ICS:
85.060 Papir, karton in lepenka Paper and board
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 3039
Second edition
2010-08-01
Corrugated fibreboard — Determination
of grammage of the component papers
after separation
Carton ondulé — Détermination du grammage des papiers composants
après leur séparation
Reference number
©
ISO 2010
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.

©  ISO 2010
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail [e-mail]
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Principle.2
5 Reagents.2
6 Apparatus.2
7 Sampling.2
8 Preparation of specimens.3
9 Procedure.3
9.1 Separation of the component layers .3
9.2 Removal of the adhesive .3
9.3 Drying of the separated layers.3
9.4 Conditioning of the separated layers .3
9.5 Preparation of test pieces.3
9.6 Determination of grammage.4
10 Calculation and expression of results .4
11 Test report.4
Annex A (informative) Precision.5
Bibliography.8

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 3039 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 6, Paper, board and pulps, Subcommittee SC 2,
Test methods and quality specifications for paper and board.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 3039:1975), which has been technically revised
to include precision data.
iv © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

Introduction
This International Standard describes a procedure where the separated component layers are allowed to dry
freely, i.e. unrestrained. In 2008, an international round-robin was performed to compare precision data
between the two drying procedures: free drying (which can involve shrinkage) and restraint drying (where the
layers are prevented from shrinking). As no statistical provable difference in the repeatability and the
reproducibility between the two drying procedures was observed, the faster and simpler procedure, i.e. the
free drying method, was chosen for this International Standard. Precision data for free drying are given in
Annex A.
There is an indication from test results that some of the adhesive enters and stays in the papers it comes in
contact with, and is not or cannot be removed by the method we use. Thus, the results for layers will generally
be greater than the initial values.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 3039:2010(E)

Corrugated fibreboard — Determination of grammage of the
component papers after separation
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies a method for determining the grammage of the component layers from
which corrugated fibreboard has been made.
This International Standard is applicable to all types of corrugated fibreboard.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 186, Paper and board — Sampling to determine average quality
ISO 187, Paper, board and pulps — Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing and procedure for
monitoring the atmosphere and conditioning of samples
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
grammage
mass per unit area
mass of a unit area of paper or board determined by a specific method of test
NOTE Grammage is expressed in grams per square metre.
[1]
[ISO 536:1995 , definition 3.1]
3.2
corrugated fibreboard
board consisting of one or more sheets of fluted paper glued to a flat sheet of board or between several
sheets
[2]
[ISO 4046-4:2002 , definition 4.49]
3.3
layer
component that is a part of corrugated fibreboard, which normally comprises a fluted layer (fluting) and a flat
layer (liner) on each side
3.4
facing
linerboard (liner) used as the flat component of corrugated fibreboard
[ISO 4046-4:2002, definition 4.66]
3.5
fluting medium
corrugating medium
fluting paper or board intended for use in the manufacture of corrugated fibreboard
[ISO 4046-4:2002, definition 4.73]
3.6
linerboard
board used as the facing material in the production of combined corrugated fibreboard, solid fibreboard or
“carton compact”
[ISO 4046-4:2002, definition 4.105]
4 Principle
Separation of the components of corrugated board specimens, to determine their grammage, by soaking in
water so that the component layers can be separated. Drying and conditioning of the component layers.
Determination of grammage of the individual layers.
5 Reagents
5.1 Tap water, normally having a temperature of 20 °C to 30 °C but not exceeding 60 °C.
6 Apparatus
Use ordinary laboratory apparatus and the following.
6.1 Tank, of sufficient size for immersion of the test specimen, to contain water at room temperature (20 °C
to 30 °C) or hot water not exceeding 60 °C.
6.2 Cutting device, for cutting circular (diameter 112,8 mm ± 0,5 mm) or square (length 100 mm ± 0,5 mm)
specimens from the corrugated fibreboard.
6.3 Drying oven, capable of maintaining the air temperature at 105 °C ± 2 °C, and suitably ventilated.
6.4 Balance, with an actual scale interval of 0,001 g which makes
...

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 3039
Second edition
2010-08-01
Corrugated fibreboard — Determination
of grammage of the component papers
after separation
Carton ondulé — Détermination du grammage des papiers composants
après leur séparation
Reference number
©
ISO 2010
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.

©  ISO 2010
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail [e-mail]
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Principle.2
5 Reagents.2
6 Apparatus.2
7 Sampling.2
8 Preparation of specimens.3
9 Procedure.3
9.1 Separation of the component layers .3
9.2 Removal of the adhesive .3
9.3 Drying of the separated layers.3
9.4 Conditioning of the separated layers .3
9.5 Preparation of test pieces.3
9.6 Determination of grammage.4
10 Calculation and expression of results .4
11 Test report.4
Annex A (informative) Precision.5
Bibliography.8

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 3039 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 6, Paper, board and pulps, Subcommittee SC 2,
Test methods and quality specifications for paper and board.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 3039:1975), which has been technically revised
to include precision data.
iv © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

Introduction
This International Standard describes a procedure where the separated component layers are allowed to dry
freely, i.e. unrestrained. In 2008, an international round-robin was performed to compare precision data
between the two drying procedures: free drying (which can involve shrinkage) and restraint drying (where the
layers are prevented from shrinking). As no statistical provable difference in the repeatability and the
reproducibility between the two drying procedures was observed, the faster and simpler procedure, i.e. the
free drying method, was chosen for this International Standard. Precision data for free drying are given in
Annex A.
There is an indication from test results that some of the adhesive enters and stays in the papers it comes in
contact with, and is not or cannot be removed by the method we use. Thus, the results for layers will generally
be greater than the initial values.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 3039:2010(E)

Corrugated fibreboard — Determination of grammage of the
component papers after separation
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies a method for determining the grammage of the component layers from
which corrugated fibreboard has been made.
This International Standard is applicable to all types of corrugated fibreboard.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 186, Paper and board — Sampling to determine average quality
ISO 187, Paper, board and pulps — Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing and procedure for
monitoring the atmosphere and conditioning of samples
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
grammage
mass per unit area
mass of a unit area of paper or board determined by a specific method of test
NOTE Grammage is expressed in grams per square metre.
[1]
[ISO 536:1995 , definition 3.1]
3.2
corrugated fibreboard
board consisting of one or more sheets of fluted paper glued to a flat sheet of board or between several
sheets
[2]
[ISO 4046-4:2002 , definition 4.49]
3.3
layer
component that is a part of corrugated fibreboard, which normally comprises a fluted layer (fluting) and a flat
layer (liner) on each side
3.4
facing
linerboard (liner) used as the flat component of corrugated fibreboard
[ISO 4046-4:2002, definition 4.66]
3.5
fluting medium
corrugating medium
fluting paper or board intended for use in the manufacture of corrugated fibreboard
[ISO 4046-4:2002, definition 4.73]
3.6
linerboard
board used as the facing material in the production of combined corrugated fibreboard, solid fibreboard or
“carton compact”
[ISO 4046-4:2002, definition 4.105]
4 Principle
Separation of the components of corrugated board specimens, to determine their grammage, by soaking in
water so that the component layers can be separated. Drying and conditioning of the component layers.
Determination of grammage of the individual layers.
5 Reagents
5.1 Tap water, normally having a temperature of 20 °C to 30 °C but not exceeding 60 °C.
6 Apparatus
Use ordinary laboratory apparatus and the following.
6.1 Tank, of sufficient size for immersion of the test specimen, to contain water at room temperature (20 °C
to 30 °C) or hot water not exceeding 60 °C.
6.2 Cutting device, for cutting circular (diameter 112,8 mm ± 0,5 mm) or square (length 100 mm ± 0,5 mm)
specimens from the corrugated fibreboard.
6.3 Drying oven, capable of maintaining the air temperature at 105 °C ± 2 °C, and suitably ventilated.
6.4 Balance, with an actual scale interval of 0,001 g which makes it possible to determine the grammage of

the separate layers to three significant figures (including micro-flute with grammage < 100 g/m for the
separate layers). When in use, the balance shall be shielded from air currents.
7 Sampling
If the tests are being made to evaluate a lot, carry out the sampling in accordance with ISO 186. If the tests
are made on another type of sample, make sure that the specimens taken are representative of the sample
recei
...