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51BURSTINGSTRENGTH
51BURSTINGSTRENGTH
Introduction
is affected by various other properties of the sheet, principally tensile strength and stretch.
Generally, bursting strength depends upon the kind, proportion, and amount of fibers
present in the sheet, their method of preparation, their degree of beating and refining,
diaphragm, which is expanded by hydraulic pressure at a controlled rate, until the test
specimen ruptures. The pressure reading at the instant of rupture is recorded as the
bursting strength. The units of expression are pounds per square inch or "points". The
measurement is variously termed the "Mullen", "pop test", or simply the "burst". The
burst test for paperboard differs from that of lighter papers in that a heavier Mullen tester
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Significance
primarily as an indication of the suitability of certain fibers and the extent of beating and
refining. Its main reason for existence is that it is one of the oldest of the strength tests, it
is easy to run, it appears to correlate with some use requirements, and everyone has the
equipment. While interpretation is empirical, the bursting strength serves as a quick check
on the utility of some papers which do not have an absolute tensile requirement. The
bursting strength test also is used for combined containerboards, both corrugated and solid
fiberboard as a requirement of the Uniform Freight Classification, Rule 41, for shipping
containers. The bursting strength of the containers is generally controlled by the strength
of the linerboard so this test is critical as a paper mill control test. Burst test results on a
variable and correlate poorly, if at all, with most of the performance values of the finished
containers.
In addition to bursting strength, one frequently reports the burst factor and/or the
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burst index. The burst factor is calculated according to
Note that 1 kPa = 1 kN/m 2, where kPa stands for kilopascal and kN for kilonewton.
Two quite different Mullen testers are available commercially and are both used in
• The Model C Mullen tester; this is a comparatively light instrument for the testing of
paper.
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• The Model A Mullen tester; this is a much heavier instrument for the testing of
paperboard.
The light Model C instrument for testing paper has two gages, one ranging from 0
to 30 psi, the other from 0 to 120 psi. Never exceed the range of a gage, because
serious damage to the gage may result. Obviously, this instrument is intended for testing
papers of bursting strength less than 120 psi. The circular specimen area tested has
The heavy Model A tester for paperboard also has two gages, with ranges 0 - 200
psi and 0 - 800 psi, respectively. The specimen area tested has diameter 31.50 ± 0.03
mm, different from the light instrument. The Model A tester also has a much heavier
molded rubber diaphragm, whereas the Model C tester has a fairly thin and pliable rubber
diaphragm.
Because of these differences between the two instruments, they do not have a
common scale. This means that a paper sample would have a totally different value of
bursting strength when tested on the Model A tester. It is therefore a serious mistake to
measure the bursting strength of paper on the Model A tester, as the test value obtained
is meaningless.
In both instruments, the specimen is firmly clamped between two concentric platens,
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each having a circular opening in the center. The specimen exposed between the
openings is the test area. Pressure is applied at a uniform rate to the underside of the
reading gauge is included in the hydraulic system. The bursting test value is the maximum
gauge pressure required to produce rupture of the specimen. The observed gauge value
includes the hydraulic pressure required to distend the rubber diaphragm in addition to that
Tests
Make ten acceptable tests for each sample, five tests on each side. Make no tests
Operating Instructions
• Place the handle with the red knob, which operates the clamp, in the central or
vertical position.
• Turn on the motor switch, which is located at the bottom of the front side.
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• Lower the clamping plate by turning the the handle with the red knob clockwise to
"CLOSE".
• The first test on a new sample should always be done with the gauge of greater
range (0 to 800 psi). Make sure the valve to this range is OPEN, and the valve
• Make sure the red maximum hand on the gauge you want to use is at zero;
otherwise, return it gently to zero by manually turning the knurled metal knob in the
• To burst the sample, proceed as follows. Find the operating lever with the black
knob, located at the far right of the instrument. Move the operating lever to the
LEFT and hold it there, all the while keeping your eyes on the gauge. If either the
sample bursts or the pressure indicator needle comes too close to the maximum
pressure of the gauge, it is extremely important that you quickly move the
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failure to move the operating lever to the right immediately the sample bursts
• Record the bursting pressure indicated by the red maximum hand of the gauge
• Return the maximum hand of the gauge gently to zero by manually turning the
• Open the clamp by turning the handle with the red knob counterclockwise to the
"OPEN" position.
• Remove the old sample. The instrument is now ready for the next test. The motor
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• Make sure that the valve to the pressurized air supply line is OPEN. This valve is
located to the left and above the nearest Lorentzen & Wettre tensile tester.
• Push the brass ring located at the top of the clamp assembly upward to raise the
clamping plate.
• The first test on a new sample should always be done with the gauge of greater
range (0 to 120 psi). Make sure that the valve to this gauge is OPEN, and the
• Make sure the red maximum hand on the gauge you want to use is at zero;
otherwise, return it gently to zero by manually turning the knurled metal knob in the
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center of the gauge counterclockwise.
• To burst the sample, proceed as follows. Find the operating lever with the black
knob, located at the far right of the instrument. Move the operating lever to the
LEFT and hold it there, all the while keeping your eyes on the gauge. If either the
sample bursts or the pressure indicator needle comes too close to the maximum
pressure of the gauge, it is extremely important that you quickly move the
failure to move the operating lever to the right immediately the sample bursts
• Record the bursting pressure indicated by the red maximum hand of the gauge
• Push the brass ring upward and remove the old sample. The instrument is ready
for the next test. The motor is kept running continuously; do not turn it off between
tests.
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Report
Report the mean bursting strength in points (lb/in 2) as the arithmetical mean of all
ten tests on a sample, the burst factor, and the burst index. Also report 95% confidence
intervals.
References
ASTM D 774
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Mechanical Properties