Measuring The Tensile Strength & Tearing Strength Of A Paper

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Both, the tensile strength and tear strength of a paper are among the most important parameters that manufacturers make certain to determine. This is because these tests help them find out a lot about the quality and durability of the paper. To begin with, the length, strength, and bond between the fibers can be determined using these tests. Then, manufacturers are also able to determine the refining levels of the fibers, plus, their direction too. Ultimately, manufacturers can accurately and effectively find out the composition quality of the paper.

In the following section, we will learn about both these factors and the instruments used to test them. So. let’s go.

• Tensile strength

Measured using tensile strength testing equipment, the tensile strength refers to the elongation quality of the paper. Elongation refers to the ability of the paper to get stretched before getting ripped. Elongation is the maximum stretch a paper can go through before getting ripped into pieces.

UEC’s vertical tensile tester quickly and effectively determines the tensile strength of the paper. It also evaluates the breaking length, elongation, and elongation percentage of the paper, paper board, and tissue paper. The equipment is microprocessor-based and controlled using a human-machine interface. The operator can access it using touch screen functionality.

• Tear strength

Measured using a tearing strength tester, the tear strength determines the ability of a paper to withstand force before it starts tearing. The instrument calculates the resistance of the paper, paperboard, and similar materials against tearing.

During the test, the apparatus puts a perpendicular force on the paper, which is required to tear the paper sample. It consists of a freely swinging pendulum, with a mounting calibrated scale. To perform the test, the pendulum stands in a raised position with its optimum energy. When the test completes, the apparatus displays the mean tearing force.

This instrument by UEC measures the internal tearing resistance of the paper with utmost accuracy on any material, including plastic films.

Conclusion

Printers, packaging paper manufacturers, etc. consider these tests mandatory, which is why they believe in investing in the right machines that can accurately perform the tests. They resort to UEC, a leading manufacturer and supplier of paper physical property testing machines for their requirements. If you’re looking for investing in high-quality paper, packaging, and pulp testing, get in touch with UEC today.

Tensile Strength of Paper

Do you want to determine the quality of the paper? The tensile strength of paper is one of the significant parameters that can gauge its durability and composition quality. This physical property refers to the maximum stretch a paper can withstand before getting ripped. 

It involves subjecting a paper sheet to increasing stress until it breaks, revealing the maximum force it can endure. Paper tensile strength differs based on the arrangement and properties of its fibers. 

This blog will demystify various influencing factors along with the calculation of tensile strength.

What are the Factors that Affect Paper Tensile Strength?

While evaluating the paper’s tensile strength, you must consider the following factors.

Fibre Length and Arrangement:

The length and orientation of paper have a crucial role in assessing its tensile strength. During the papermaking process, the cellulose fibers at its core are arranged in a particular direction. Longer strands allow for inter-fibre bonding and enhance the overall paper firmness.

Bonding Strength:

The bonding between fibers greatly influences tensile strength. It is achieved through mechanical and chemical processes during paper production. A strong bonding ensures a cohesive structure that resists tearing.

Paper Formation:

The process of forming the paper sheet itself affects tensile strength. The uniform distribution of fibers and proper bonding contribute to a more robust final product. Low paper formation means less paper quality and lower tensile strength.

Fillers:

The quality and quantity of fillers influence the tensile strength of paper. These powder products, like calcium carbonate or kaolin, affect the paper’s firmness. The higher the content of the filler, the lower the tensile strength of the paper. ResearchGate also shows that filler weakens the paper by alleviating the fiber-to-fiber bonding area, thus decreasing the paper’s strength.

How do you Calculate the Tensile Strength of Paper?

To calculate paper tensile strength, you need to perform testing. For that, you need equipment that includes the tensile testing machine and paper specimen.

Tensile Testing Machine: The tester machine consists of grips and a movable crosshead. You can hold the paper specimen by deploying the grips and applying a controlled force by sliding the crosshead.

Paper Specimen: Paper sheets are cut into standardized strips with particular dimensions. The sample size may vary depending on the testing specifications.

Testing Procedure:

The following steps are used to get the information regarding the tensile strength of paper.

Specimen Mounting:

The prepared paper specimen is securely mounted in the grips of the tensile testing machine.

Zeroing the Machine:

The machine is calibrated and zeroed to account for any initial tension in the grips. This step ensures that the recorded force accurately represents the force applied to the paper.

Applying Force:

The testing machine’s crosshead is moved to apply an increasing force to the paper specimen steadily. You should keep on applying the load (breaking force) until the paper ruptures or reaches a predetermined elongation limit.

Data Record:

During the tensile strength testing, the machine records the applied breaking force and the respective paper elongation.

Calculations:

Tensile strength is calculated by dividing the load or breaking force by the specimen width. This value is typically expressed in units of N/m.

Tensile strength = Breaking force(load) / specimen width

What is the Tensile Index?

The tensile index is evaluated by dividing the tensile strength of paper by the grammage. It is expressed in Nm/g.

Tensile Index = Tensile Strength /Grammage

Conclusion

In short, the tensile strength of paper is an indispensable tool for appraising its mechanical properties. It helps manufacturers to design paper stocks that meet the desired standards for durability.

So, if you are looking for a versatile collection of high-quality papers, connect with PaperPapers. We are a leading provider of a variety of paper products of high tensile strength. So, why wait? Order now!