ISO 18522:2016 PDF

Overview

ISO 18522:2016 specifies procedures for automated off-line testing of cross direction (CD) profiles for the physical properties of paper and board. It defines how to obtain CD profiles and mean values using automated testers that sample across a reel or web, and refers to relevant ISO test methods where available. The standard is applicable to most paper and board grades (excluding tissue and corrugated board) and leaves selection of relevant properties to agreement between producer and customer. Results can be reported as profiles or in index form; if disputed, results from the relevant ISO stand‑alone method prevail.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability
  • Applies to most paper and board grades but not tissue or corrugated board.
  • Focuses on CD (cross direction) sampling; MD evaluation is possible but primarily for troubleshooting.
• Sampling and specimen handling
  • Defines CD sample cutting (CD samples cut edge to edge of a mother or post‑winder reel). A typical MD width around 300 mm is noted as common practice.
  • Refers to ISO 186 (sampling) and ISO 187 (conditioning) for atmosphere and conditioning procedures; acknowledges that automated off‑line testing often uses unconditioned specimens.
• Measurement modules and properties
  • Procedures reference a wide range of physical properties and modules, including: grammage (ISO 536), thickness/density (ISO 534), tensile (ISO 1924-2/-3), tearing (ISO 1974), bending (ISO 2493-1), bursting strength (ISO 2758/2759), roughness/smoothness (ISO 5627, ISO 8791-2/4), air permeance (ISO 5636-3/6), optical properties (ISO 2469, ISO 2470, ISO 5631 series), specular gloss (ISO 8254 series), compressive strength (ISO 9895), and more.
• Reporting and dispute resolution
  • Results reported as mean values or CD profiles; some outputs may be indices.
  • Where a dispute arises, the result from the corresponding stand‑alone ISO test method is used unless otherwise agreed.

Applications and users

• Paper and board manufacturers - routine quality control, process optimization, and CD profile monitoring.
• Mill laboratories and QC teams - fast, repeatable profiling with reduced operator variability.
• Paper converters and customers - acceptance testing and specification checks agreed with producers.
• R&D and troubleshooting - profile data helps diagnose formation, coating, or drying issues.

Related standards (selection)

• ISO 186 (sampling), ISO 187 (conditioning)
• ISO 534, ISO 536, ISO 1924-2/3, ISO 1974, ISO 2469, ISO 2470-1/2, ISO 2493-1
• ISO 5627, ISO 5636-3/6, ISO 8254-1/2/3, ISO 8791-2/4, ISO 9895

ISO 18522:2016 enables rapid, automated CD profiling to support quality control, process improvement, and contractual testing in the paper and board industry while maintaining traceability to established ISO test methods.