DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  
  DUS DEAS 865 
First  Edition  
2015-mm-dd 
 
 Reference nu mber  
DUS DEAS 865: 2015 
© UNBS 201 5 
  
Corrugated fibre board boxes for general packaging -
Specification  
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDUS DEAS 865:2015 
ii                © UNBS  2015 - All rights reserved 
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct application  
© UNBS 2015 
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without prior written 
permission from UNBS. 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to 
The Executive Director 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
P.O. Box 6329 
Kampala 
Uganda 
Tel: 256 41 505 995 
Fax: 256 41 286 123 
E-mail: unbs@infocom.co.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDUS DEAS 865:2015 
© UNBS  2015 - All rights reserved                iii National foreword 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and 
Cooperatives established under Cap 327, of the Laws of Uganda, as amended.  UNBS is mandated to co-
ordinate the elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT Agreement of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). 
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of representatives of 
consumers, traders, academicians, manufacturers, government and other stakeholders. 
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.  
This Draft Uganda Standard, DUS DEAS 865: 2015, Corrugated fibre board boxes for general packaging -
Specification , is identical with  and has been reproduced from an East African  Standard , DEAS 865: 2015, 
Corrugated fibre board boxes for general packaging  -Specification , and is being proposed for adoption  as a 
Uganda Standard.  
Wherever the words, “ East African Standard" appear, they should be replaced by "Uganda Standard." 
 
  DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD DEAS 865:2015 
ICS  
© EAS 2014                                                                                                                         First Edition 2014  
 
DRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD 
 
Specification for paper boards for packaging 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
© EAC 2014  – All rights reserved  ii 
 Copyright notice 
This EAC document is copyright-protected by EAC. While the reproduction of this document by 
participants in the EAC standards development process is permitted without prior permission from EAC, 
neither this document nor any extract from it may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form for 
any other purpose without prior written permission from EAC. 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document for the purpose of selling it should be addressed 
as shown below or to EAC’s member body in the  country of the requester: 
© East African Community 2013  — All rights reserved 
East African Community  
P.O.Box 1096 
Arusha 
Tanzania 
Tel: 255 27 2504253/8 
Fax: 255 27 2504481/2504255 
E-mail: eac@eachq.org 
       Web: www.eac-quality.net 
Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement. 
Violators may be persecuted 
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
© EAC 2014  – All rights reserved  iii 
 Foreword 
Development of the East African Standards has been necessitated by the need for harmonizing requirements 
governing quality of products and services in the East African Community. It is envisaged that through 
harmonized standardization, trade barriers that are encountered when goods and services are exchanged 
within the Community will be removed.  
In order to achieve this objective, the Community established an East African Standards Committee mandated 
to develop and issue East African Standards.   
The Committee is composed of representatives of the National Standards Bodies in Partner States, together 
with the representatives from the private sectors and consumer organizations. Draft East African Standards 
are circulated to stakeholders through the National Standards Bodies in the Partner States. The comments 
received are discussed and incorporated before finalization of standards, in accordance with the procedures 
of the Community. 
East African Standards are subject to review, to keep pace with technological advances. Users of the East 
African Standards are therefore expected to ensure that they always have the latest versions of the standards 
they are implementing .  
This Draft East African Standard, DEAS.  CD/K/ 22:2014 ., was prepared by Technical Committee 
EASC //TC/065 Paper and paper products The Committee is composed of representatives from National 
Standards Bodies,  regulators and academia, together with the representatives from the private sector and 
consumer organizations in Partner States.  
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDRAFT EAST AFRICAN STANDARD  DEAS 865:2015  
 
© KEBS 2013 — All rights reserved 
  1 Corrugated fibre  board boxes for general packaging -Specification 
1 Scope 
This Draft East African  Standard  specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for corrugated  fibreboard 
boxes for general packaging. This standard does not include special treatment measures of the boxes in case of 
expected contamination of the contents.  
2 Normative reference 
ISO 535: 2014 Paper and board -- Determination of water absorptiveness -- Cobb method  
ISO 3037:2013 Corrugated fibreboard – Determination of edgewise crush resistance (unwaxed edge method)  
ISO 3035:2011  Corrugated fibreboard – Determination of flat crush resistance   
ISO 536:2012  Specifies a method for determining the grammage of paper and board. 
ISO 187:1990 Paper, board and pulps -- Standard atmosphere for conditioning and testing and procedure for 
monitoring the atmosphere and conditioning of samples 
ISO 21067; Packaging -- Vocabulary 
3 Terms and definitions 
For t he purpose of this  Draft East African  Standard, the following definitions and those given in ISO 21067  shall 
apply.  
2.1 
manufacturing joint  
that part of the box where the ends of the sheet are joined together by taping, stitching or gluing 
2.2 
corrugated fibreboard 
board consisting of one or more sheets of fluted paper stuck to a flat sheet of paper or board or between several 
liners 
2.3 
Single face kraft 
 
DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 2  
 
2.4 
single-wall corrugated fibreboard 
board made up of a sheet of fluted paper stuck between two sheets of paper or board (see Figure 1) 
   
Figure. 1 — Single wall corrugated fibreboard 
2.5 
double-wall corrugated fibreboard  
board composed of two corrugated sheet separated by a flat sheet and faced on each other surface, see  figure 
2 
    
 
Figure. 2 — double-wall corrugated fibreboard 
2.6 
triple-wall corrugated fibreboard 
board composed of four flat liners and three corrugated sheets, in combination. (See Figure 3). 
    
 
Figure. 3 — triple-wall corrugated fibreboard 
DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 3 2.7 
seam  
the part of box where the user in closing the box brings together or overlaps the edges of the outer flaps 
2.8 
flat crush 
maximum crushing force, applied perpendicular to the surface of the fluting structure, sustained before complete 
collapse of the structure 
2.9 
collapse 
point where the sidewalls of the flutes are no longer able to support load because they have suffered 
compression damage 
Note 1  to entry: At this point, the fluting profile appears similar to that of a mushroom  
2.10 
flat crush resistance 
flat crush divided by the area of the test piece under the condition of test 
3 Types of corrugations 
The corrugations, known as flutes shall be in four Types, viz: A, B, C, and E as shown in Table 1. 
Table1 — Types of flute 
 
Flute  Corrugation per meter  Height of corrugations 
(mm)  
A 110 to 130  4.2 to 4.8 
B 150 to 170  2.1 to  2.8  
C 130 to 150  3.2 to 3.9  
E 300 to 320  1.1 to 1.5  
H 190 to 210  1.4 to 1.9  
4 Component material 
4.1 Adhesives 
4.1.1 The adhesive used manufacturing joint shall comply with the requirements of the test methods in Annex 
A 
4.1.2 The adhesive used in manufacture of boxes shall be adequately resistant to moisture and climatic 
conditions. ―A suitable, nontoxic and environmentally friendly adhesive has to be used . DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 4 4.2 Stainless stitching wire or staples 
For staples and stitches, flat wire suitably treated against corrosion shall be used. 
5 Construction 
5.1 The boxes shall be manufactured to the style and design as agreed between the buyer and the seller. 
In order for the manufacturer (or designer) to determine the loads that the filled box will be required to withstand, 
hence, the compression resistance, the buyer shall provide the following, and any other information, to the 
designer: 
a) dimensions of each unit to be packed; 
b) mass of filled unit; 
c) number of units; 
d) height of stacking and duration of storage; 
e) samples of the units to be packed. 
5.2 If required, the type of internal fitments to be used shall be agreed to between the buyer and the seller. 
5.3 The blanks shall be properly creased and slotted so that when the box is assembled, there shall be no 
holes at the corners. The flaps of the box shall be capable of being folded 180º along the line of creasing with out 
cracking of the board or liners. 
5.4 Manufacturers Joint 
The joint shall be made either by a lap or by butting the edges. 
5.4.1 Lap Joint — This joint shall either be stitched or glued as agreed between the buyer and the seller. 
5.4.1.1 Stitches  — The width of the lap shall be not less than 30 mm, and the metal rivets, staples or 
stitches, not more than 60 mm apart in each row.  The first and last rivets or staples shall be not more than 25 
mm from the beginning and the end of the joint respectively. 
5.4.1.2 Adhesive  — The width of the lap shall be not less than 30 mm. 
 
5.4.2 Butt joint  — When the joint is made by butting the edges, it shall be secured by the adhesive along the 
complete length of the joint.  The tape used shall be not less than 50 mm wide. 
5.5 Flaps 
Outer flaps shall either meet or overlap, or leave a gap but inner flap may meet or gap.  as agreed between the 
manufacturer buyer/purchaser when  Measured from centre of crease to centre of crease, and in the following 
sequence, regardless of their shape DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 5 5.6 Dimensions 
5.6.1 The boxes shall comply with the dimensions as per agreement between the buyer and the seller. 
5.6.2 The dimensions shall be the internal dimensions of the assembled box measured from centre of crease 
to centre of crease, and in the following sequence, regardless of their shape: 
Length (L) — The longer dimensions at the opening; 
Width (W) — The shorter dimensions at the opening; 
Height (H) — The dimension from the top of the opening to the base measured, where  
applicable from inner flap to inner flap. 
56.3 The sum of L + W + H as above shall be known as the “combined internal dimensions”.  
5.6.4 The normal manufacturing tolerance on the individual internal dimensions of erected/assembled box 
shall be ± 2 mm. 
6 Requirements 
6.1 General requirements 
6.1.1 The corrugated fibreboard used shall not crack or delaminate on bending or creasing.  The outer liner 
shall be hard sized and shall have good printability.  The liners shall be firmly glued to the fluting. 
The faces of the box shall not contain visible defects like tears, punctures or holes.  The corrugated board shall 
not warp or bulge. 
6.2 Specific requirements 
6.2.1  Fluting paper 
6.2.2 Grammage  — When tested according ISO 536 the fluting paper shall have a minimum grammage of 
105 gsm 
6.2.3  Flat crush — For single wall, the flutes shall have minimum flat crush resistance as given in Table 2 
when tested according to ISO 3035:2011   
 
Table 2 — Minimum flat crush resistance for flutes 
Type of 
flute Description  Minimum flat 
crush(KN/M2) 
A Coarse  140 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 6 B Fine 180 
C Medium  165 
E Micro  350 
H Fine 200 
6.2.4  Edge crush — When tested according to ISO 3037the single wall boards shall have the minimum edge 
crush resistance values as follows: 
 
B Flute — 3.1 (KN/m) 
C Flute  —  3.5 (KN/m) 
NOTES These are minimum values irrespective of the grammages of fluted medium and the liners used. 
6.2.5  Corrugated medium test (CMT) or concorra test value  — When tested according to the method 
described in Annex B, the minimum corrugated medium test (CMT) or concorra test value for standard 112 g/m2 
fluting paper shall be 133 N/10 A flutes (30 Lb/10 flutes). 
NOTE: N/10 flutes x 0.225 = Lb/10 flutes. 
7.1.4  Water absorption for uter liner  —The outer liner when tested in according ISO 535 it shall have the 
maximum increase in grammage of 30 g/m2 
7 Packaging 
Corrugated fibreboard boxes shall be pack aged flat in bundles. The bundles shall be tied with a suitable 
strapping method of adequate strengths. Special packaging may also be done as agreed to be between the 
buyer and the seller. 
8 Labeling 
Each box shall be legibly and indelibly marked with the following information: 
a) month and year of manufacture; 
b) manufacturer’s name  and physical address and/or registered trade mark,  
c) combined grammage 
d) Country of manufacture or origin 
e) Batch number/Code 
9 Sampling DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 7 Representative samples for testing shall be drawn from the market, factory or elsewhere, following the 
procedures of random selection.  The samples shall be conditioned before testing and protected from damage 
during storage. 
10 Test methods 
10.1 Conditioning  
The samples of boxes either in bundles or erected form, shall be conditioned before testing according to the 
method described in ISO 187 
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 8 Annex A 
(normative) 
 
Methods of test for paper box adhesives — corrugated fibreboard 
A.1 Determination of total solid content 
Procedure  — Take about 5 g of the material, accurately weighed in a weighed porcelain basin of 7.5 cm 
diameter and evaporate to near dryness on a water-bath.  Then remove the basin to an air-oven maintained at 
105 ± 2 oC.  Cool in a dessicator and weigh.  Repeat the operation till constant weight is obtained. 
Calculation 
Total solids, per cent by mass  
12100
mm  
where, 
m2  =  mass in gm of the residue and; 
m1  =  mass in gm of the material taken for the test. 
A.2 Determination of pH value 
A.2.1  Principle  — This method describes procedures for determining the pH value of aqueous extracts of 
uncured adhesives and of their components and of cured adhesive films. 
A.2.2  Application  — The method is applied to assess the effect of the adhesives on the adherend, the effect of 
the pH on the curing properties and the like. 
 
A.2.3  Apparatus, Materials and Reagents:  
 
(i) pH meter and suitable electrode system. 
(ii) Conductivity meter capable of measuring conductivity less than 20 mS/m. 
(iii) Flask, 250 mL, and stopper, of borosilicate glass, the flask and stopper shall be chemically clean 
internally such that the conductivity of distilled water, does not exceed 20 mS/m after contact for 24 h. 
(iv) Suitable mechanical shaker. 
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 9 (v) A balance capable of weighing to 0.05 g. 
(vi) Substrate, for the preparation of aqueous extract, which may be No. 1 Whatman filter paper or 
equivalent ( see A.2.4.3( a)) or a material selected in accordance with A .2.4.3( b). 
(vii) Glass filter funnel and glass wool chemically clean. 
(viii) A suitable standardized buffer solution. 
A.2.4 Procedure  
A.2.4.1  General — Except where specified otherwise, the procedures described below shall be carried out at 23 
± 2C. 
A.2.4.2  Preparation of aqueous extract of uncured adhesives and their components 
 
(a) The distilled water used shall have a conductivity of not more than 20 mS/m. 
(b) Place 100 ± 1 mL of the distilled water in the 250 mLflask. 
(c) Take the flask and water and weigh in 5 ± 0.1 g of the uncured material, calculated on a solids basis. 
(d) Stopper the flask securely and agitate the contents mechanically for not less than 5 000 oscillations.  
Stand for 16 to 24 h. 
NOTE:   Venting may be necessary with solvent-borne adhesives. 
(e) Agitate the contents mechanically for not less than 500 oscillations.  Stand for a further 1 h. 
A.2.4.3  Preparation of aqueous extract of cured adhesive films 
(a) On filter paper substrate 
(i) Condition a sufficient quantity of Whatman No. 1 or equivalent filter paper. 
(ii) Treat the equivalent quantity of substrate to be used in one determination, as described in A.2.4.2(d) 
and (e), and ensure that the resultant extract does not increase the conductivity above 20 mS/m. 
(iii) Mix and spread the adhesive on a sufficient area of Whatman No. 1 or equivalent filter paper.  Films may 
be prepared by dipping if the adhesive viscosity permits and adequate coating results. 
(iv) Allow to drain, dry and cure at the conditions recommended by the supplier, taking care to avoid 
contamination of the film. 
(v) Weigh a sufficient quantity of the coated filter paper to give 5 ± 0.1 g of dry adhesive film, and place in 
the 250 mL flask. 
(vi) Add 100 mL of the distilled water and proceed as in A.2.4.2 (d) and (e). DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 10 (b) On alternative substrates (such as Teflon film or sheet, sheet glass or suitable inert metal sheet) 
 NOTE :   Care should be exercised in the selection of metal substrates, in particular, to ensure non-reactivity 
with the adhesive. 
(i) Ensure that the substrate is clean and dry. 
(ii) Mix and spread the adhesive on a sufficient area of the alternative substrate. 
(iii) Dry and cure, taking care to avoid contamination of the film. 
(iv) Strip a sufficient quantity of the cured film from the substrate. 
(v) Weigh 5 ± 0.1 g of the dry stripped film, and place in the 250 mL flask. 
(vi) Add 100 mL of the distilled water and proceed as in A .2.4.2  (d) and ( e). 
A.2.4.4  Determination of pH  — Carry out duplicate determinations for each of the procedures of A .2.4.2 , A.2.4.3  
(a) and A .2.4.3  (b). 
(a) Calibrate the pH meter with a buffer solution of known pH value approximating the pH value of the 
extract. 
(b) Decant sufficient of the extract obtained by procedures given in A .2.4.2 or A .2.4.3 through pre-extracted 
glass wool and determine the pH value using a suitable electrode system. 
(c) NOTE :  Pre-extracted glass wool can be prepared by passing distilled water through glass wool until the 
conductivity of filtrate is not more than 20 mS/m. 
(d) Record the pH and the temperature of the extract. 
A.2.5 Report — The following shall be reported: 
(i) The description of the material as tested. 
(ii) Whether the determination was carried out on the components of the adhesive, the uncured mixture 
or the cured adhesive film. 
(iii) The mean of the temperature corrected values from the duplicate determinations. 
 
 
 
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 11 A.3 Test for adhesion strength 
Procedure  — Take six pieces of size 5 cm x 6 cm of each of ( a) Offset cartridge paper, ( b) Machine glazed 
paper, ( c) Kraft paper.  Mark off with a pencil or by folding, a strip 1 cm wide leaving an area of 5 cm square.  
Pour out 0.5 mL of the adhesive to be tested on paper (on the glazed and coated art paper respectively) and 
spread it evenly over the 5 cm square area with a suitable instrument leaving an ungummed flap 1 cm wide. 
Stick the piece on to a larger piece of: 
a) The same paper; 
b) Strawboard; 
c) Packing case wood; 
d) Jaconet cloth; 
e) Pane glass; and 
f) Galvanized iron sheet. 
Keep the specimens for one hour at room temperature with relative humidity not more than 75 per cent.  Test by 
gripping the free 1 cm wide flap and pulling the piece apart with a steady pull. 
The adhesive shall be taken to have passed the test if each piece tears during stripping, leaving the fibres 
attached over at least 50 per cent of the original area of attachment. 
A.4 Test for brittleness and moisture absorption of the third film 
Procedure  — Take one millilitre of the adhesive, make a thick film on kraft paper, 2.5 cm x 10 cm in size and 
keep it at room temperature with relative humidity not more than 75 per cent.  After one hour, roll the paper on a 
wooden office ruler of 2.5 cm diameter, first with the coated side up and next with the coated side down. 
The adhesive shall be considered to have passed the test if the film does not get stuck to the rod. 
 
A.5 Test for stability at 37°C 
Procedure  — Take 25 mL of the adhesive in a petri dish of 100 mm diameter, cover the dish and keep it in an 
incubator maintained at a temperature of 37 ± 1 oC for 14 days. 
The adhesive shall be taken to have passed the test if there is no fungus  growth, separation or sedimentation. 
A.6 Determination of viscosity 
A.6.1 Principle 
An apparatus is used, which measures the torque produced on a specified spindle rotating at a constant speed 
and at a low rate of sheer while immersed to a known depth in the adhesive. DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 12 A.6.2 Apparatus 
 
A.6.2.1  Suitable viscometer such as Bookfied model L may be used. 
A.6.2.2  Beaker of at least 85 mm internal diameter, and at least 600 mL capacity. 
A.6.2.3  Equipment for controlling temperature of sample, suitable to control the temperature of test to 0.1 oC 
for temperatures upto 50 oC. 
A.6.2.4 Thermometer  — Thermometer of appropriate range and sensitivity. 
A.6.3 Preparation of Sample  
If the sample contains occluded air, remove the air as follows: 
 
(a) For samples containing volatile components (in general, those with a viscosity less than 0.2 p B.s), allow 
them to stand for 24   hours; 
(b) For samples not containing volatile components, allow them to stand under vacuum until foaming 
ceases.  
A.6.4 Choice Speed and Spindle 
 
Carry out the measurements by trying successive speed/spindle combinations starting with the one 
corresponding to a viscosity obviously greater than the actual value and proceeding to lower values until a 
combination is found, which gives at least 15 per cent of full scale deflection and the largest deflection not 
exceeding 95 per cent of full scale deflection. 
 
A.6.5 Procedure — 
 Mount the viscometer with its guard on the support.  Fill the beaker with the sample under test, taking care not 
to introduce any air bubbles.  Condition the sample to the test temperature and then put it into the temperature 
controlling equipment at the required temperature of the test.  If the sample contains volatile matter or is 
hygroscopic, take care to close the beaker tightly during this operation.  Mount the selection spindle on the 
spindle shaft, keeping the shaft steady while screwing up the coupling ( see A6.4  for method of choice of spindle 
size). 
While the beaker is in the temperature controlling equipment, lower the viscometer on its support so that the 
spindle is immersed in the liquid to the underside of the mark on its shaft.  It is essential to ensure that no air is 
trapped by the spindle.  Check that the spindle is central to the beaker and, by means of the level, check that it is 
vertical.  Insert the thermometer into the sample.  
Wait until the temperature of the sample is between the required limits. 
Lock the needle and start the motor and run at the required speed…….. ( see B.6.4 for method of choice of 
speed).  
Unlock the needle and allow the instrument to run until the needle reaches a stable position on the dial (this may 
take up to  30 s). 
Lock the needle, stop the motor and take the reading to the nearest quarter unit. DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 13 Restart the motor and make another measurement.  Continue taking measurements until two consecutive values 
are obtained that do not differ by more than 3 per cent.  Record this arithmetic mean. 
A.6.6 Expression of Results 
 
Calculate the viscosity in pascal seconds from the formula:   
Viscosity = K x D 
where, 
 
K     =  the coefficient dependent on the speed/spindle combination used ( see Table 1); 
D     =     the arithmetic mean of the two values obtained in A.6.5 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 14 Annex B 
(normative) 
 
Corrugated medium test (CMT) or concorra test 
B.1 Significance 
This test provides a means of estimating, in the laboratory, the potential flat crush resistance of a corrugated 
board. This permits the evaluation of corrugating medium before it is fabricated into combined board. The results 
may also provide a basis for judgement of fabrication efficiency. 
B.2 Principle 
This method involves fluting the paper specimens with medium fluter and then testing them for flat crush using 
Crush Tester. 
B.3 Apparatus and materials 
B.3.1 Medium fluter — Consisting of a pair of matched A-flute rolls rotating on a thermostatically controlled 
hot plate which regulates the temperature of 300 ± 15 0F. 
B.3.2 Rack  — Having teeth and 10 valleys. 
B.3.3 Comb  — Having 10 prongs. 
B.3.4 Double coated tap e — 19-mm width. 
B.3.5 Specimen cutter  — Hand lever operated die-cutter. 
B.3.6 Compression machine (flat crusher)  — See A2.1. 
B.4 Test specimen 
Cut the test specimens 13 mm x 150 mm on  the die-cutter.  Align the longer dimension in the machine direction 
of the medium. 
B.5 Conditioning 
Condition the specimen strips prior to testing in accordance to 11.1. 
B.6 Procedure 
Perform the fluting operation only after the specimens have reached equilibrium with the specified atmosphere. 
Heat the fluting rolls to 350 ± 15 0F as shown by the temperature. 
Feed the specimen into the guide slot so that the bottom edge of the specimens rides flat on the hot plate. DRAFT UGANDA STANDARDDEAS 865:2015 
 
© EAC 2014 — All rights reserved  
 15 Place the fluted specimen, which emerges on the other side, on the corrugated rack, so that a portion of the 
specimen is resting on the flat surface at each end of the rack, and place the comb over the fluted specimen.  
Holding the specimen firmly in the rack, place 130 mm strip of 19 mm double-coated tape, adhesive side down, 
on the exposed flute tips and stroke down firmly.  Carefully, slip the comb out of the flutes without damage to the 
specimen.  Then lift the resulting 10 flute strip of single face straight up from the rack by the edges of the tape to 
avoid damaging the flutes.  Place the specimen in the lower platen of the compression tester, flutes facing up, 
and test it for flat crush, noting the compression on the gauge.  Perform all of these operations using the same 
technique and speed for each specimen.  Test the specimen immediately (5 s to 8 s) after fluting. 
B.7 Results 
Perform several tests and represent the crush in Lb/10 flutes or kN/10 flutes. 
NOTE kN/10 flutes x 0.225 = Lb/10 flutes.