T 833 pm-94

PROVISIONAL METHOD 1994

1984 TAPPI
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by a technical committee of the Association. The committee and the
Association assume no liability or responsibility in connection with the
use of such information or data, including but not limited to any
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Test for interfiber bond using the internal bond tester

1.

Scope

This method determines the internal bonding strength of paper or paperboard by measuring the average energy
required to separate the specimen into two plies through the use of a mechanical instrument.
2.

Significance

The internal bond test is used to indicate the resistance to forces which tend to separate the fibers within a ply or
between plies in a sheet of containerboard. It is often used to investigate delamination problems.
3.

Summary

A paper specimen bonded on both sides by a double-sided adhesive paper tape is adhered to a right-angled metal
test fixture, which is impacted parallel to the surface of the paper by means of a pendulum at about 90 from its release
point. The impact results in delamination of the weakest point of the assemblage, namely, the paper, between the lower
and upper surfaces. The pointer of the tester indicates the energy lost in rupturing the paper structure hence it is
correlated with energy of delamination.
4.

Apparatus

4.1
Internal bond tester, consisting of:
4.1.1
A stationary anvil and separable platen which the pendulum strikes at the same point for each test.
4.1.2
A pendulum of dual capacity and free to swing on a ball bearing or similar low-friction-type bearing.
The range changing weights must be placed so as not to alter the center of gravity of the pendulum.
4.1.3
A means of holding the pendulum in a raised position with provision for instantaneous release.
4.1.4
A means of registering the maximum arc through which the pendulum swings when released.
4.1.5
A scale on both ranges, with a reference point for calibrating the pointer in free swing to compensate for
friction and windage.
4.1.6
A multiple specimen preparation station, which will allow for variations of specimen thicknesses, with
optional clamping pressures on the specimen from 345 to 1380 kPa (50 to 200 psi) in 345 kPa (50 psi) increments.
5.

Sampling and test specimens

Obtain a sample in accordance with TAPPI T 400 "Sampling and Accepting a Single Lot of Paper, Paperboard,
Containerboard, or Related Product. Accurately cut specimens for the test, 2.5 cm (1 in.) wide and 12.7 cm (5 in.) or
more long. Handle the specimens by the edges only. Condition them as prescribed in para. 6 before inserting into the
specimen preparation station.

Approved by the Fiberboard Shipping Container Testing Committee of the Corrugated Containers Division
TAPPI

T 833 pm-94
6.

Test for interfiber bond using the internal bond tester / 2

Conditioning

Precondition and condition the specimens in an atmosphere in accordance with TAPPI T 402 "Standard
Conditioning and Testing Atmospheres for Paper, Board, Pulp Handsheets, and Related Products.
7.

Procedure

7.1
Level the instrument until the bubble of the integral spirit level is centered. The pendulum will then hang
vertically, coinciding with the vertical zero mark on the dial. Calibrate the instrument before starting a series of tests.
Recalibrate it whenever the pendulum range weights are changed.
7.2
Load the tape dispenser with a roll of 2.5-cm (1-in.) double-faced pressure sensitive tape.
7.3
Select and set into position the desired pressure spaces in the bores of the specimen preparation station
(use least pressure possible without peeling from angle or anvil).
NOTE 1:

Excessive pressure and/or time may result in forcing adhesive through the voids of the lighter paper stocks.

7.4
Lay the bottom steel anvils in their respective positions on the locating pins.
7.5
Pull out a strip of tape sufficient to go across the anvils and return. If any wrinkles appear on the tape,
discard that section. Bring this tape down on the anvils between the guide pins. Place it carefully so that the tape exactly
covers, but does not overlap, the sides of the anvil. Place a strip of the paper to be tested on the tape in the exact
position. Avoid touching the paper with fingers except at the ends.
7.6
Swing tape hook up and over the tape at the end of the station. Bring the tape back over the hook and
place it exactly on top of the specimen. If the tape is held under a light tension, this is quite simple. Cut the doubled tape
and specimen with scissors.
7.7
Install strongback loaded with aluminum angles and clamp with knurled thumbscrews.
7.8
Apply pressure by pushing forward the control lever on the right side of the machine for one to two
seconds. Clamping too long will cause adhesive to penetrate specimens and test will be useless.
7.9
Release the pressure by returning the handle to its top position, unlock and remove the strongback
carefully, leaving the aluminum sample angles adhered to the specimen sandwich. Separate each of the five specimens
with the knife provided by inserting it between each pair of angles and cutting through the sandwich of paper and tape.
Trim specimen making sure none overlaps the edges.
7.10
Swing the pendulum 90 to the right until it latches; swing pointer to this position also, until it touches
pin on pendulum. Place specimen on the pedestal properly and secure assembly in place by tightening the knurled
thumbscrew by hand.
7.11
Make the test by releasing the latch with the left-hand index finger. Read the results and reset the pointer
and pendulum. Remove the specimen holder and install the next one, etc.
7.12
Make at least five tests in each principal direction of the paper. Examine the shear of the samples
carefully, checking for any indication of tape peeling or multiple delamination. If tape peeling is encountered, discard
the test results and increase the clamp pressure in 345 kPa (50 psi) increments until satisfactory results can be obtained
(Note 2).
NOTE 2:

If excessive peeling of tape from the anvils occurs, clean them with a suitable solvent or detergent to remove any oil film not
compatible with the adhesive.

7.13
Multiple delamination results when the specimen fails at more than one interface. This abnormal mode
of failure is usually associated with multi-ply cylinder boards, but it may also occur in fourdrinier boards. Because each
plane of ply delamination absorbs energy from the pendulum during impact, any tests producing more than 6.5 cm2 (1
in.2) of rupture surface will show erroneously high results and must be discarded.
8.

Report

Report the results to the nearest one-half of a scale division, as energy required to shear the specimen, the units
for this report are kJ/m2 (ft-lb/in2). The operator should exercise care so as not to allow any parallax to influence the
values read from the scale.
Report the average, maximum, and minimum results for both principal directions of the paper.

3 / Tester for interfiber bond using the internal bond tester

T 833 pm-94

Report results obtained from the test as internal bond strength of machine direction and internal bond strength of
cross direction of the specimen.
If the mean value of the lowest and highest readings differs excessively from the average of all readings, test more
specimens until the results fall within reasonable limits.
9.

Precision
Not known.

10.

Additional information
10.1

Effective date of issue: February 5, 1994.

10.2
This method has been in use as UM 403. Related Methods are UM 808 "Plybond Peeling Strength of
Linerboard and Corrugated Board" and UM 522 "Plybond Strength of Paperboard.

Your comments and suggestions on this procedure are earnestly requested and should be sent to the TAPPI Technical


Divisions Administrator.