ISO 3039:2010

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)