Overview
EN ISO 287:2017 - "Paper and board - Determination of moisture content of a lot - Oven‑drying method" is a CEN-endorsed adoption of ISO 287:2017. It specifies an oven‑drying test method to determine the moisture content of a lot of paper and board (including corrugated and solid board), provided the material contains no volatile substances other than water at the test temperature. Sampling procedures (Clause 8) are performed at the time of sampling to ensure representative test pieces are analysed.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Principle: weigh test pieces at sampling, dry to constant mass, reweigh and calculate moisture content as the mass loss ratio (normally expressed as a percentage).
- Oven conditions: drying at (105 ± 2) °C until constant mass is reached (constant mass defined by successive dryings differing by ≤ 0.1% of the initial mass).
- Apparatus: accurate balance (0.05% or better), ventilated oven capable of uniform 105 ± 2 °C, desiccator, and water‑vapour‑proof lightweight containers for transport and weighing.
- Sampling and test‑piece selection: units selected per ISO 186; the standard gives specific guidance (e.g., discard outer/wrinkled sheets, minimum numbers of sheets or test pieces for certain unit types) and requires immediate enclosure of test pieces to avoid atmospheric moisture changes.
- Procedure and calculation: initial weighing at sampling, drying to constant mass with repeat weighings, and calculation of average moisture and variation (maximum/minimum) for the lot.
- Documentation: report the selection/preparation method used and results; precision data are provided in Annex A.
Practical applications
- Routine quality control in paper mills and corrugators to monitor lot moisture before shipment.
- Incoming inspection by buyers and converters to verify contract moisture specifications.
- Process control for printing, converting and coating operations where moisture affects dimensional stability, curl, ink behavior, and machine handling.
- Use in logistics and storage management to assess moisture variation across lots that can impact packaging performance.
Who should use this standard
- Laboratory technicians in paper and board testing labs
- Quality assurance engineers at pulp, paper and board manufacturers
- Purchasing and inspection teams in converting, packaging and printing industries
- Standards bodies and compliance auditors
Related standards
- ISO 186 - sampling to determine average quality (referenced for selecting units)
- ISO 638 - for determination of dry matter content where oven‑drying of a sample (rather than a lot) is required
Keywords: EN ISO 287:2017, moisture content, paper and board, oven‑drying method, lot sampling, paper moisture determination, corrugated board, quality control.