TECHNICAL INFORMATION BOOKLET FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY
FCBM 37:06 International Rules for Corrugated Board and Cases
FEDERATION OF CORRUGATED BOX MANUFACTURERS OF INDIA
FOREWORD FCBM Publications continue to evoke interest and receive appreciation from everyone connected with the industry. These publications have been instrumental in creating uniform codes and meanings for different technical terms and establishing uniform procedures for the different test methods. This Technical Information Booklet on International Rules for Corrugated Board and Cases is a useful compendium of International Rules. In today’s globalised market place, it is indeed necessary to be aware of the rules related to corrugated board and boxes in different countries. I am sure the readers will find the contents interesting and useful. I extend my congratulations to the R&D Committee on this excellent effort. Manohar Shetty President Federation of Corrugated Box Manufacturers of India
Paperboard Packaging magazine printed a summary of “International Rules” as recognized by the International Corrugated Case Association (ICCA). These rules are reproduced here under various sections for the benefit of the members of Federation of Corrugated Box Manufacturers of India. Section 1: BELGIUM 1. Transport Standards Note No. 122 2. Board Standards Note No. 120 Section 2: DENMARK Instruction of the Danish Railways Section 3: F.E.F.C.O FEFCO Recommendations for Corrugated Board Grades Section 4: FINLAND Finnish Railroad (Valtion Rautatiet, VR) Section 5: FRANCE C.N.E.C. / L.G.E. / U.S.F.O. / C.E.T.E.C. Section 6: GERMANY VDW Standards, DIN 55468 Section 7: GREAT BRITAIN Home Trade Export Specification Section 8: INDIA IS: 2771 (Part I) – 1977 Specifications for Fibreboard Boxes Section 9: ITALY 1. GIFCO Transport Standards 2. GIFCO Board Standards Section 10: JAPAN Industrial Standards Section 11: SWITZERLAND Corrugated Board Qualities Section 12: USA / CANADA Rule 41 / Item 222
1.50
112-140
GSM of fluting paper
140-150
1.40 Above 150
1.30
VI
Minimum flat crush values, in bars, per 100 flutes/meter for each wall of single and double wall corrugated board.
BAR
V
(+) = There are separate standards for tropics, farm produce, etc.
2
725
626
525
425
375
350
500
400
300
275
250
g/m
C
28
24
20
16
13
10
20
16
13
10
8
bar
E
2800
2400
2000
1600
1300
1000
2000
1600
1300
1000
800
kPa
P
120
110
100
90
80
70
70
55
45
40
35
Kg-cm
P = The minimum puncture value of the board
E = The minimum burst value of the board
C = The minimum grammage of the liners
IV
I
Double Wall
V
IV
III
II
I
Single Wall
T = Type of board according to note No. 120
VI
V
IV
III
II
I
Double Wall
III
V
IV
III
II
I
Single Wall
Class
Dim = The maximum dimension of the package (L+B+H)
94
86
78
70
65
59
49
In
T
II
240
220
200
180
165
150
125
Cm
Dim J
11.77
10.79
9.81
8.83
7.85
6.86
6.86
5.39
4.41
3.92
3.43
2) Board Standards, Belgian Packaging Institute, Note No. 120
M (1) = The maximum mass (weight) of the package
165
75
88
40
110
66
30
132
44
20
50
22
10
60
Lb
Kg
M (1)
1) Transport Standards (+), Belgian Packaging Institute, Note No. 122
SECTION 1: BELGIUM
44
66
88
20
30
40
178
165
152
Centimeters
70
65
60
Inches
The sum of the dimensions (L+W+H) must not exceed Dim
22
15
12
Kg / cm
2
2158
1471
1177
Kilopascals
Minimum Bursting Strength (E)
It is a condition that packaging is complete and intact, and that contents to be packed in it do not consist of a single heavy item, but of goods which can be equally spread in the packaging, and which do not moisten the packaging.
Pounds
Kilograms
At a net weight of
Undated Instruction of Danish Railways
SECTION 2: DENMARK
8
10
13
18
23
24
25
26 1770
1280
980
780
590
390
1960
1470
1170
880
690
490
kPa
–
–
–
–
–
–
65
50
40
35
30
25
cm-kgf
–
–
–
–
–
–
6.4
4.9
3.9
3.4
2.9
2.5
J
PUNCTURE
7.3
5.9
4.8
4.0
3.3
2.7
–
–
–
–
–
–
Kg/cm
Class II: Recommended for extra resistance to compression of the case of non self support
7.2
5.8
4.7
3.9
3.2
2.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
kN/m
E C T VALUES
Class I: Recommended for the basic ability of the case to contain contents of self support
6
22
20
16
Single Wall
15
15
4
12
14
21
9
13
CLASS II
7
12
Single Wall
5
11
BURST
2
Kg/cm
CLASS 1
GRADE
FEFCO RECOMMENDATION FOR CORRUGATED BOARD GRADES
SECTION 3: F. E. F. C. O.
22
44
66
88
110
132
154
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
T
200
200
200
180
165
150
125
Cm
Dim
78
78
78
70
65
59
49
In
32
28
25
20
16
12
8
Kg/cm
E 2
3139
2747
2452
1962
1570
1177
785
kPa
170
140
115
90
70
55
40
Kg-cm
P
P = The minimum puncture value of the corrugated board
E = The minimum burst (Mullen) value of the corrugated board
J
16.70
13.73
11.28
8.83
6.86
5.39
3.92
Dim = The maximum combined dimension of the package (L + W + H)
M (1) = The maximum mass of package
lb
Kg
M (1) Legend
board
3 = Double wall corrugated
corrugated board
2 = Single or Double wall
board
1 = Single wall corrugated
T = Type of corrugated board
FINNISH RAILROAD (VALTION RAUTATIEN, VR – PPO)
SECTION 4: FINLAND
20
30
40
50
60
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
20
30
40
50
60
75
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
Double Wall
10
1.1
165
132
110
88
66
44
132
110
88
66
44
22
240
225
205
185
170
150
225
205
185
170
150
125
94
88
80
73
67
59
88
80
73
67
59
49
in
cm
Kg
lb
Dim. Max
M (2) Max
Single Wall
CLASS
A.F.N.O.R / C.E.T.E.C / U.S.F.O.
5050
4050
3300
2800
2350
2050
5250
4500
3600
2900
2450
1950
650
400
325
275
250
250
650
550
400
325
275
250
g/m
2
2
g/m
C min
P min
2200
1800
1400
1250
950
850
2200
1800
1400
1050
850
750
kPa
E min
Note: The minimum flat crush value for 100 flutes of single wall board for all GSM shall be the arithmetic mean of 5 single measurement not less than 145 kPa.
E = The minimum burst value (Mullen) of the board
C = The minimum combined Grammage of the two exterior liners only
Dim = The maximum combined dimension of the package (L + W + H)
M (2) = The Gross weight of the packed contents
P = The sum of the mass of the two external liners multiplied by 4 plus the burst resistance in kPa. Note: If the mass of one liner exceeds 50% of the other, the P value is limited to 2.5 times the GSM lighter liner.
Legend
(NO. Q 12 – 008 FOR BOARD / NO. NTC – 27 FOR PACKAGE)
SECTION 5: FRANCE
150
–
3.5
3.6
50
2.5
125
40
2.4
3.2
30
2.3
100
20
2.2
3.1
50
1.5
60
40
1.4
75
30
1.3
2.6
20
1.2
2.7
-
10
1.0
1.1
(B) EV3
(A)
Quality Class
1300
1200
1100
1000
725
625
525
425
375
350
500
400
300
250
250
225
g/m
2
Grammage
Dim.
–
–
–
–
2550
2160
1760
1470
1180
880
1760
1470
1180
880
590
490
kPa
Burst
33.6
29.4
24.5
19.6
11.8
10.8
9.8
8.8
7.8
6.9
6.9
5.4
4.4
3.9
3.4
2.5
J
Puncture
Dim: (Dimensions): Total of Length + Width + Height not to exceed 200 cm. (external measurements). Longest edge not to exceed 100 cm. Second longest edge not to exceed 75 cm. In addition to this rules regarding the manufacturer joint are to be complied with.
The Puncture values do not apply to E-flute corrugated boards nor to combination of E-flute board with any other type of flute.
Figures in the Grammage column are the minimum values or the prescribed values of liner Grammage, inasmuch as the latter exceeds minimum values.
Quality Class B: Maximum Gross weight in Kgs of the package. EV3 relates to packaging of non dangerous goods.
Quality Class A: 1.0 to 1.5 are single wall, 2.2 to 2.7 are double wall, and, 3.1 to 3.6 are tri wall.
Strength values of corrugated board cases according to VDW – Standard DIN 55 468
SECTION 6: GERMANY
1775
1900
2150
40
55
75
1775
40
1650
1650
30
30
1525
20
1525
1275
15
20
1025
10
1275
750
8
15
635
5
2550
2200
1610
1380
1000
850
1850
1500
1270
1180
1030
800
600
C
125
125
125
125
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
E
Double Wall
Single Wall
55
45
30
20
15
10
30
20
15
10
A
2150
1775
1650
1525
1275
1025
1650
1525
1275
1025
B
2550
2200
1610
1380
1000
850
1850
1500
1410
1180
C
2
D
1200
900
550
450
300
250
800
600
550
450
Export Specification
All liners
All liners
125
125
125
125
–
–
–
–
E
Note 2: No single dim to exceed 50% of combined dimensions
Note 1: For each 10% reduction in mass of contents below maximum permitted, dimensions show in table may be increased by 5%.
Fluting media: Minimum GSM 112 g/m . The made up board to be capable of with standing a flat crush test, having values: 900 All liners for A flute – 140 kPa, for B flute – 180 kPa, for C flute – 165 1200 All liners kPa.
550
450
300
250
800
600
500
450
400
300
250
D
A: Max. Gross mass of D: Mini. combined GSM of inner contents Kg & Outer facings B: Max. Dim L+W+H in mm E: Mini. GSM of middle Wall C: Mini. Burst in kPa.
Double Wall
Single Wall
B
A
Home Trade Specifications
SECTION 7: GREAT BRITAIN
Triple Wall
Double Wall
Single Wall
1650
1775
1900
2150
40
55
75
1525
25
30
1525
20
1025
10
1275
750
8
15
635
mm
5
Kg
Type of Max. Max. Board Mass of Combined contents Dim. L+W+H
2
29
24
17
14
13
12
10
9
8
6
Kg/cm
Mini. Burst
Note 5: The values of bursting strength given in column 4 are for general guidance and the user can choose minimum burst value appropriate to his product requirement.
Note 4: If a box is required for export or special use, it may be advisable to equate the board details given in the table to a reduced mass of content or reduced maximum combined dimension.
Note 3: For calculating the maximum combined dimensions for any intermediate mass content, for each 10% reduction in mass content below the maximum permitted for a box, the calculated combined dimensions for the same may be increased by 5%.
Note 2: The Single/Double/Triple wall boxes may be selected for maximum mass of contents in column 2 when the bursting strength properties can be achieved as per the requirement of the article packed.
Note 1: Boxes shall be made with no single dimension exceeding 50% of the sum of the permitted combined dimensions.
IS: 2771 (PART I) – 1977 SPECIFICATION FOR FIBREBOARD BOXES (AMENDMENT NO. 1 DECEMBER 1980)
SECTION 8: INDIA
240
94
–
F = The minimum Flat crush values per 100 flutes/meter
E = The minimum burst (Mullen) value of the board
C = The minimum GSM of the two exterior liners.
T = Type of board according to GIFCO BOARD STANDARD, S = Single wall, D = Double wall
M = The gross mass (weight) of the package
165
50
6D
650
400
21
18
14
12
10
8
21
18
15
11
9
7
Kg/cm
E 2
2058
1766
1372
1177
981
785
2058
1766
1471
1078
883
686
-
-
-
-
-
-
1.3
1.2
kPa Kg/cm
F 2
-
-
-
-
-
-
127
117
kPa
Note: The classes are defined according to (4C/100) + E. The minimum values of C & E do not guarantee the desired values and therefore to be compensated.
39
5D
325
275
32
650
550
4D
43
400
Dim = The max. Combined dimension of the case (L+W+H)
5D
5S
34
325
250
6S
4D
4S
28
275
250
23
88
5S
3D
3S
23
19
27
225
80
4S
2D
2S
1S
3D
75
75
132
205
73
3S
1D
Single Wall
250
60
60
110
185
67
2S
–
g/m
20
50
50
88
170
59
1S
+E
2
6D
40
40
66
150
49
in
C
2) GIFCO BOARD STANDARDS Type Class (4C/100)
52
30
30
44
125
cm
T
6S
20
20
22
lb
Dim
Double 1 D Wall 2D
10
Kg
M (1)
10
Class
1) GIFCO TRANSPORT STANDARDS
SECTION 9: ITALY
12.3
14.0
19.3
24.5
2
3
4
5
14.0
19.3
24.5
35.0
42.0
1
2
3
4
5
Double Wall
8.8
2
Kg/m
1
Single Wall
Class
Burst
4120
3433
2430
1893
1373
2403
1893
1373
1206
863
kPa
205
185
135
113
95
95
75
60
55
45
Kg-cm J
20.11
18.15
13.24
11.08
9.32
9.32
7.36
5.88
5.39
4.41
Puncture
Note: kPa and Joules values are not shown in the Japanese Specification and have been added for convenience.
Burst and Puncture values shown above are the average of three test.
‘B’ flute to be 51 ± 3 flutes per 30 cm.
‘A’ flute to be 36 ± 3 flutes per 30 cm.
The center liner of double wall board may be corrugating medium or interior liner.
Puncture is an optional alternative to burst if specified.
Board moisture content at time of manufacture min 11 ± 2%.
Note 2: The maximum combined dimensions of the package not specified
Note 1: The maximum mass (weight) of the package not specified.
JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS J.I.S Z. 1516 (CONFIRMED 1970)
SECTION 10: JAPAN
Kg/cm
kN/m
ECT
4.5
5.5
6.3
4.1
3.9
9.5
16.0
13.0
12.0
10.5
9.7
7.9
6.9
5.8
4.4
932
1569
1275
1177
1030
951
775
677
569
432
kPa
Conversion factors:
Mullen: 1 kg/cm = 98.07 kPa ECT : 1 kg/cm = 0.981 kN/m
2
The guarantee refers to controlled median values of samples taken at the corrugator, with testing at normal climatic conditions, i.e., (20°C and 65% R.H). FEFCO test methods No. 1, 4 and 8.
Tolerances: ECT: – 5% of the guaranteed median value Mullen: – 5% of the guaranteed median value.
5.6
4.6
154
165
5.1
5.2
6.4
136
4.2
4.7
132
133
153H
4.6
4.0
131
3.9
4.6
4.0
4.7
111
3.2
113
3.3
106
2
MULLEN
Kg/cm
A – flute approximately 5 mm thick
Type of board Kg/cm kN/m
ECT
4.3
4.2
4.2
4.4
4.2
4.0
4.0
3.3
4.2
4.1
4.1
4.3
4.1
3.9
3.9
3.2
6.0
10.5
8.2
12.5
9.7
7.9
5.8
4.4
6.5 6.0
564 581
9.0 11.0
554
7.6 8.4
536 553 557
6.6
532
5.9
6.4
10.8
8.8
8.2
7.5
6.5
9.0
11.5
30.0
23.0
20.0
15.0
12.5
A + B flute approximately 8 mm thick
281
272
264
252
232
231
211
206
2
883
1128
2942
2256
1961
1471
1226
588
1030
804
1226
951
775
569
432
kPa
MULLEN Kg/cm
B – flute approximately 3 mm thick
Type of board
Corrugated Board Qualities –As agreed by the Swiss Convention of Corrugated Board Manufacturers
SECTION 11: SWITZERLAND
B
C
D
E
50
60
75
85
95
105
35
50
65
80
95
120
180
138
111
84
75
66
52
350
275
250
200
175
150
125
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
55
44
40
32
29
26
23
F B C D E
120
115
110
105
95
85
270
222
180
126
110
92
600
500
400
350
275
200
1300
1100
900
700
112
90
80
67
F: Minimum Edge crush test values in pounds per inch.
–
–
–
–
82
71
61
51
48
42
D: Minimum Burst in pounds per sq. inch
360
264
222
168
–
–
–
–
–
–
F
E: Minimum puncture test values in in.oz. per tear in.
120
280 125
115
260
300
110
240
Triple wall corrugated fiberboard
180
160
140
120
100
80
Double wall corrugated fiberboard boxes
A
C: Minimum Combined weight of facings, including center facings of double/Triple wall boards in lbs/1000 sq. feet
B: Maximum Outside dimensions, Length, Width, and Height added in inches.
A: Maximum weight of the box and contents in pounds
40
20
Single wall corrugated fiberboard boxes
A
Item 222 of National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) and Rule 41 of Uniform Freight Classification (UCF)
SECTION 12: U.S.A. / CANADA
MEMBERS OF R & D COMMITTEE Sri. RAM KUMAR SUNKARA Sri. KIRIT MODI Sri. P. D. SHAH Sri. AL. ANNAMALAI Sri. ASHOK VYAS Sri. NITIN WADHWA Sri. SUNIL SETHI Sri. ANIL KUMAR REDDY Sri. DILIP SABOO Sri. HEMANT SARAOGI Sri. R. G. AGARWALA Sri. PAWAN KUMAR TIBREWALA Sri. ASHWIN SHAH Sri. SHILEN D. PATEL Sri. B. K. HARI Sri. SASEENDRAN Sri. N. X. GEORGE Sri. SANJEEV SUREKA Sri. V. K. DEWAN Sri. VIJAY PANJABI
Chairman Co-Chairman Past Chairman Past Chairman Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member
Published in the interest of manufacturers and users of corrugated boxes. For additional copies, please write to:
FEDERATION OF CORRUGATED BOX MANUFACTURERS OF INDIA C/o. Sai Kripa Insulations Pvt. Ltd. A-105, Peenya 2nd Stage, Bangalore - 560 058. Phone: 91-80-4117 1281 / 283 Fax: 91-80-4117 1282 • e-mail:
[email protected] e-mail:
[email protected] • Website: www.fcbm.org
