Evaluation Methods for Flat Crush Resistance of Corrugated Fiberboard with Microflutes

Corrugated fiberboard is a widely used packaging material because of its high compressive strength and stiffness despite light weight. Corrugated fiberboards with microflutes with height $\leq$ 1.5 mm, such as E, F or G, have been developed. As microflutes have a different geometry from other conventional flutes, they may behave differently in testing and require a new testing method. Therefore, we evaluated the flat crush resistance of corrugated fiberboard with microflutes according to the ISO and TAPPI standard test methods. In addition, the effects of specimen area and platen compression rate were examined. The goal of this study was to identify an appropriate method for flat crush test (FCT) of corrugated fiberboard with microflutes. When a test piece with a standard area was subjected to the FCT in accordance with ISO and TAPPI methods, microflute corrugated fiberboard demonstrated a different load-displacement curve. An area of 20 $cm^2$ was determined to be the most appropriate for FCTof microflute corrugated fiberboard.