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Complete Packaging &
Adhesive Testing
Testing for corrugated packaging, paper, adhesive tapes, labels, and flexible packaging per IS, ASTM, TAPPI, and FINAT standards.
Corrugated Board & Box Testing
ECT, Burst, Ring Crush, Flat Crush & Box Compression
Comprehensive mechanical and physical characterisation of corrugated board, liner, fluting medium, and finished corrugated boxes — per IS, TAPPI, and ISO standards for domestic and export qualification.
| Test | Standards | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Edge Crush Test (ECT) | TAPPI T811, IS 7063 | Compression strength of corrugated board in the edge direction; primary predictor of box stacking performance |
| Bursting Strength | IS 1060 Part 1, TAPPI T810 | Mullen burst — hydraulic pressure to rupture the board; resistance to puncture and rough handling |
| Ring Crush Test (RCT) | TAPPI T822, ISO 12192 | Compressive strength of a formed ring of liner or fluting medium; used to calculate predicted ECT |
| Flat Crush (FCT) | TAPPI T825 | Resistance of fluting to crushing in the Z-direction; indicator of fluting quality and board rigidity |
| Puncture Resistance | TAPPI T803 | Beach puncture test — energy absorbed by the board during puncture by a pyramidal point |
| Cobb Water Absorption | IS 1060 Part 2, TAPPI T441 | Water absorptiveness of board over defined contact time; critical for humid storage and refrigerated transport |
| Moisture Content | IS 1060 Part 3 | Oven drying method; board moisture expressed as percentage of conditioned weight |
| Compression (Box Compression) | IS 7028 Part 2, TAPPI T804 | Box compression test (BCT) — stacking strength of finished corrugated box under controlled axial load |
| Grammage / Basis Weight | IS 1060, TAPPI T410 | Weight per unit area of liner, medium, or combined board; fundamental specification parameter |
| Thickness / Caliper | TAPPI T411 | Board thickness under specified load; affects stiffness and compression performance |
| Adhesion of Fluting | — | Ply adhesion test and pin adhesion test; evaluates bond integrity between fluting and liner |
| Print Quality | — | Rub resistance and ink adhesion evaluation on printed corrugated surfaces; relevant for FMCG retail-ready packaging |
Paper Testing
Tensile, Tear, Opacity, Smoothness & Sizing
| Test | Standards | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | IS 1060, TAPPI T494 | Machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD) tensile breaking force and elongation |
| Tear Resistance | IS 1060, TAPPI T414 (Elmendorf) | Internal tearing resistance in MD and CD using Elmendorf pendulum tear tester |
| Folding Endurance | IS 1060, TAPPI T511 | MIT fold tester — number of double folds to failure under tension; indicates paper durability in repeated-use applications |
| Opacity | TAPPI T425 | Light transmittance; printing opacity expressed as percentage; relevant for label and packaging print stocks |
| Brightness | TAPPI T452, ISO 2470 | Reflectance factor at 457 nm; ISO brightness measurement for printing and packaging grades |
| Smoothness | TAPPI T538 (Bekk) | Bekk smoothness — air leakage method; surface smoothness relevant to print quality and coating hold-out |
| Air Permeance | TAPPI T460 (Gurley) | Gurley porosity — time for defined air volume to pass through; relevant for barrier and filtration papers |
| pH | TAPPI T509 | Surface pH and cold extract pH; alkalinity/acidity affects long-term aging, printability, and adhesive bond performance |
| Sizing (Cobb) | TAPPI T441 | Cobb water resistance — water absorbed per unit area in 60 s; indicates sizing level and liquid barrier performance |
Adhesive Tape Testing
Peel. Shear. Tack. Unwind. Electrical. Barrier.
Full mechanical and functional characterisation of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes — packaging, masking, electrical insulation, surface protection, and specialty tapes — per ASTM, PSTC, and FINAT methods.
| Test | Standards | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 180° Peel Adhesion | ASTM D903, PSTC-101, FINAT FTM 1 | Force to peel tape from a standard substrate (steel panel) at 180°; primary adhesion measurement for PSA tapes |
| 90° Peel Adhesion | PSTC-103, FINAT FTM 2 | Right-angle peel from standard substrate; used where geometry dictates 90° removal angle in application |
| Static Shear (Holding Power) | ASTM D3654, PSTC-107, FINAT FTM 8 | Resistance to shear under a constant suspended load — time to failure reported; critical for structural bonding tapes |
| Dynamic Shear | PSTC-107 | Shear strength measured at a controlled crosshead rate; peak force and failure mode reported |
| Tack (Loop Tack) | ASTM D6195, FINAT FTM 9 | Loop tack — initial adhesion / quick-stick to standard substrate; relevant for label application at high line speeds |
| Tack (Rolling Ball) | ASTM D3121, PSTC-106 | Distance a stainless-steel ball rolls on adhesive surface; lower distance = higher tack |
| Tensile Strength & Elongation | ASTM D3759, PSTC-131 | Tensile breaking force and elongation at break of the tape backing; relevant for extensible and non-extensible backing films |
| Thickness | ASTM D3652 | Total tape thickness (backing + adhesive) measured under defined gauge pressure |
| Unwind Force | PSTC-108 | Force required to unwind tape from a roll at defined speed; affects dispensing performance and machine applicability |
| Chemical Resistance | — | Immersion or exposure to solvents, acids, and alkalis; post-exposure peel and appearance assessment |
| Temperature Resistance | — | Adhesion retention after elevated temperature aging or thermal cycling; relevant for under-hood and industrial tapes |
| Electrical Insulation | ASTM D1000 | Dielectric breakdown voltage, volume resistivity, and insulation resistance for electrical insulation tapes |
| Moisture Vapor Transmission (MVTR) | ASTM E96 | Water vapor transmission rate through the tape system; relevant for moisture barrier and medical tapes |
| UV / Weathering Resistance | — | Accelerated aging of outdoor and roofing tapes; post-exposure peel, discoloration, and backing integrity assessment |
Label Testing
Adhesion, Removability, Print Durability & Die-Cuttability
Qualification of self-adhesive labels across substrates, applications, and performance requirements — from FMCG shelf labels to pharmaceutical track-and-trace and logistics barcodes.
Peel Adhesion on Multiple Substrates
180° and 90° peel adhesion measured on glass, stainless steel, polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) panels. Dwell time and temperature variables controlled to simulate real-world application conditions per FINAT FTM 1/2 and PSTC procedures.
- Glass
- Steel
- PE
- PP
Removability & Repositionability
Clean removability testing — assessment of adhesive residue after defined dwell period. Repositionable label evaluation for controlled peel force and re-adhesion capability. Relevant for promotional labels, medical patches, and temporary marking applications.
- Residue Assessment
- Re-adhesion
Print Durability
Rub resistance (Sutherland rub tester), scratch resistance, and chemical exposure testing of printed label surfaces. Ink adhesion evaluation per cross-cut and tape-lift method. Relevant for inkjet, laser, thermal transfer, and UV-printed labels in industrial and logistics environments.
- Rub Resistance
- Scratch
- Ink Adhesion
Mandrel Hold (Cold Flow & Flagging)
Curved surface application test on mandrel of defined diameter — evaluates adhesive cold flow, edge lifting, and flagging tendency. Critical for cylindrical containers (bottles, cans, tubes) in FMCG and beverage applications.
- Cold Flow
- Flagging
- Curved Surface
Die-Cuttability
Assessment of label stock die-cutting performance — clean cut quality, liner integrity, matrix strip performance, and adhesive bleed. Relevant for label converters qualifying new face stocks, release liners, and adhesive systems before production commitment.
- Cut Quality
- Liner Integrity
- Matrix Strip
Transport Simulation
Vibration, Drop, Compression & Incline Impact
ISTA and ASTM transport simulation protocols that replicate real distribution channel hazards — road vibration, handling drops, warehouse stacking, and incline impact — to qualify packaging before product launch.
| Test | Standards | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Vibration (Transport Simulation) | ASTM D4728, ISTA 1A / 2A / 3A | Sine sweep and random vibration on an electrodynamic shaker table; replicates truck, rail, and sea transport vibration spectra |
| Drop / Free Fall | ASTM D5276, ISTA procedures | Corner, edge, and flat-face drops at defined heights; evaluates package and product response to handling hazards in the distribution cycle |
| Compression (Stacking) | ASTM D642, IS 7028 | Box compression test under controlled rate; simulates warehouse stacking loads; pass/fail against specified stacking height and duration |
| Incline Impact | ASTM D880 | Inclined plane impact test simulating forklift and dock-plate handling damage; packaged product evaluated post-impact |
| Climatic Conditioning | ASTM D4332 | Temperature and humidity pre-conditioning of packaging before mechanical testing; standard conditions (23°C/50% RH) and tropical conditioning (38°C/90% RH) available |
Flexible Packaging
Films, Laminates & Barrier Properties
Mechanical, seal, and barrier characterisation of mono-layer and multi-layer flexible packaging films and laminates — from tensile and dart impact through MVTR and OTR barrier measurement.
Tensile
Film tensile strength and elongation at break in MD and TD. Critical for pouches, wraps, and stretch films.
- ASTM D882
Seal Strength
Heat-seal peel force determination for pouches, form-fill-seal, and lidding films. Pass/fail against seal specification.
- ASTM F88
Dart Impact
Falling dart puncture resistance — energy absorbed before film failure. Relevant for heavy-duty and produce bags.
- ASTM D1709
Tear Resistance
Elmendorf tear (propagation tear) and initial tear resistance in MD and TD for films and laminates.
- ASTM D1922
- D1004
Coefficient of Friction (COF)
Static and kinetic COF between film surfaces or film and equipment contact surfaces. Affects machine runnability.
- ASTM D1894
MVTR
Moisture vapor transmission rate — gravimetric and sensor methods. Critical for food, pharmaceutical, and hygiene packaging.
- ASTM E96
- F1249
OTR
Oxygen transmission rate through the film or laminate structure. Key barrier metric for modified atmosphere and vacuum packaging.
- ASTM D3985
Heat Seal Range
Temperature window determination for sealable layer — seal strength vs. jaw temperature sweep to establish the processing window.
- Seal Curve
- Hot Tack
Industries Served
Every Sector That Packages, Ships, or Bonds
From FMCG corrugated line trials to pharmaceutical cold-chain barrier qualification and automotive parts export packaging — one testing lab covering every packaging application.
FMCG & Consumer Goods
Corrugated transit boxes, shelf-ready packaging, label qualification, tape seal integrity for high-volume consumer product lines.
E-Commerces
BCT and drop testing for mailer boxes, tape peel and unwind force for sealing tapes, vibration simulation for fulfilment centre and last-mile delivery simulation.
Pharmaceutical
MVTR and OTR for blister films and foil laminates, seal strength of pouches, label adhesion and print durability for GxP compliance and cold-chain packaging.
Food & Beverage
Flexible laminate barrier (MVTR, OTR, seal strength, dart impact), corrugated packaging for food-grade transit boxes, Cobb water resistance for chilled and frozen distribution.
Automotive (Parts Packaging)
Heavy-duty corrugated box qualification, VCI (vapour corrosion inhibitor) film testing, masking tape temperature resistance, and transport simulation for components.
Electronics
ESD-protective film and bag testing, electrical insulation tape qualification (ASTM D1000), vibration and drop simulation for fragile component packaging, label adhesion on PCB trays.
Industrial Packaging
Heavy-duty woven sack and FIBCs, stretch wrap tensile and cling performance, strapping band break strength and elongation, duct and structural bonding tape qualification.
Export Packaging (ISPM 15)
Corrugated and wood packaging qualification for export compliance. Distribution simulation per ISTA and ASTM protocols for international freight. Tropical conditioning per ASTM D4332.
Why Microlab for Packaging
Validated for quality. No Outsourcing. Engineering-Led Reports.
All corrugated, paper, tape, label, flexible packaging, and transport simulation tests performed in-house. One lab, one certificate, one point of contact.
Multi-Standard Coverage
IS, ASTM, TAPPI, ISO, FINAT, PSTC, and ISTA protocols all available under one roof. Whether your specification calls for IS 1060, TAPPI T811, ASTM D903, or FINAT FTM 1 — no need to split samples across multiple labs.
Transport Simulation Capability
In-house shaker table for random vibration and sine-sweep per ASTM D4728 and ISTA. Drop tester, incline impact, and box compression tester. Climate chamber for pre-conditioning per ASTM D4332 before mechanical testing.
Barrier & Permeation Testing
Gravimetric MVTR per ASTM E96 and sensor-based MVTR per ASTM F1249. Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) per ASTM D3985. Results interpreted against packaging specification limits — not just raw data.
Fast Turnaround for Production QC
Routine corrugated and paper tests (ECT, Cobb, burst, grammage) available on short-turnaround basis. Dedicated testing windows for production quality control sampling from packaging converters and box plants.
Tape & Label Specialisation
PSTC, FINAT, and ASTM adhesive tape tests performed with calibrated universal testing machines and dedicated peel fixtures. Controlled temperature and humidity test environment per standard requirements.
Test Reports
All test reports follow International standards. Reports accepted by buyers, retailers, export authorities, and regulatory bodies without question. Traceable to national and international measurement standards.
Testing by Packaging Domain
Select your packaging category for relevant test methods
Corrugated & Paper Board
Boxes, cartons, displays
Bursting strength (Mullen), ECT, FCT, ring crush, Cobb water absorption, puncture resistance, box compression (BCT). Quality verification per BIS and TAPPI standards.
IS 1060 · IS 2771 · TAPPI T810 · T811 · T804
Flexible Films & Laminates
Pouches, wraps, sachets, liners
Tensile, elongation, tear (Elmendorf), seal strength, COF, OTR, WVTR, haze, gloss, thickness uniformity. Film property validation for food, pharma, and industrial packaging.
ASTM D882 · D1922 · F88 · D1894 · F1249 · D3985
Adhesives & Tapes
Pressure-sensitive, structural, hot-melt
Peel adhesion (90°/180°), shear strength, tack, adhesion to various substrates, aging resistance. Performance qualification for industrial and packaging tape applications.
ASTM D903 · D1000 · D3330 · PSTC standards
Labels & Printed Packaging
Barcode, product labels, shrink sleeves
Label adhesion, rub resistance (Sutherland), ink adhesion (tape test), print quality, barcode gradeability, migration testing for food-contact compliance.
ASTM D5264 · ISO 15184 · GS1 standards
Transport Packaging
Pallets, crates, transit packaging
Vibration simulation (ASTM D4728), drop testing (D5276), compression (D642), climatic conditioning. ISTA and ASTM D7386 transit simulation protocols for damage-risk assessment.
ISTA 1A/2A/3A · ASTM D4169 · D4728 · D5276
Industry-Specific Packaging Testing
Requirements vary by end-use sector
FMCG / Food & Beverage
Food-contact migration (overall & specific), seal integrity, barrier properties (OTR/WVTR), shelf-life simulation, FSSAI compliance testing.
E-Commerce / Logistics
Transit simulation (ISTA protocols), drop and compression testing, edge crush and BCT for corrugated, protective packaging performance under logistics chain conditions.
Medical / Pharmaceutical
Sterile barrier system testing, peel strength of Tyvek/film lidding, burst testing, package integrity, accelerated aging for shelf-life validation per ISO 11607.
Electronics
ESD shielding verification, moisture barrier (desiccant packs, MBB), cushioning performance, vibration protection, humidity indicator card validation.
5–7 Days
Standard Turnaround
2–3 Days
Express Available
ISO 17025
Reporting formats
Related Services
Polymer Testing
Plastics, rubber, and foam testing including tensile, impact, HDT, MFI, and DSC
Environmental Testing
Xenon arc, UV weathering, thermal shock, and humidity cycling
Product Validation
OEM qualification, environmental endurance, vibration, and IP rating testing
Paints & Coatings
DFT, adhesion, hardness, gloss, salt spray, and coating qualification
Ready to Qualify Your Packaging System?
scope, standards alignment, conditioning requirements, and turnaround.