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Packaging Solutions for Food Industries

5 min read · Asian Packaging Industries

When a corrugated box travels from a manufacturing plant to its final destination, it faces multiple challenges. It may be stacked under heavy loads, compressed during transportation, exposed to rough handling, or accidentally impacted during loading and unloading. To ensure the paper used in the box can withstand these conditions, manufacturers perform several quality tests—one of the most important being the Bursting Strength Test.

The Bursting Strength Test measures how much pressure a paper or corrugated board can withstand before it ruptures. It is a key indicator of paper quality and is widely used in the corrugated packaging industry.

At Asian Packaging Industries, we perform Bursting Strength Tests along with other quality evaluations to ensure that every corrugated box meets customer expectations for strength, durability, and reliability.

What is Bursting Strength?

Bursting Strength is the maximum hydraulic pressure required to rupture a paper or corrugated board when pressure is applied uniformly through a rubber diaphragm.

Simply put, it measures how much force the paper can resist before it bursts.

The stronger the paper, the higher its bursting strength.

This property is especially important for corrugated packaging that experiences rough handling or transportation over long distances.

Why is the Bursting Strength Test Important?

Corrugated boxes are subjected to many types of stress throughout the supply chain.

These include:

Compression during stacking
Impact while loading and unloading
Vibration during transportation
Pressure from other packages
Rough warehouse handling

If the paper has poor bursting strength, the corrugated box may tear, puncture, or fail during shipping.

A properly tested board helps:

Protect products from damage
Improve transportation performance
Reduce customer complaints
Increase packaging reliability
Enhance product safety

How is the Bursting Strength Test Performed?

The test is performed using a Bursting Strength Tester, also known as a Mullen Tester.

Step 1 – Sample Preparation

A circular paper or corrugated board sample is prepared according to standard dimensions.

Step 2 – Clamping

The sample is securely clamped between two circular plates.

Step 3 – Pressure Application

A rubber diaphragm beneath the sample expands hydraulically and applies pressure evenly to the material.

Step 4 – Bursting Point

The pressure increases continuously until the paper or board ruptures.

Step 5 – Recording the Result

The maximum pressure recorded just before bursting is the Bursting Strength value.

The result is usually expressed in:

kg/cm²
kPa
PSI (depending on the testing standard)

Difference Between Bursting Strength and Burst Factor

These two terms are closely related but not identical.

Bursting Strength	Burst Factor (BF)
Actual pressure required to burst paper	Calculated strength rating
Measured directly by testing	Calculated using GSM
Unit: kg/cm² or kPa	Unit: BF
Physical test result	Performance indicator

The relationship is:

Burst Factor = Bursting Strength ÷ GSM

For example:

Bursting Strength = 360
GSM = 180

Burst Factor = 20 BF

Factors Affecting Bursting Strength

Several factors influence the bursting strength of paper.

1. Paper Quality

Virgin kraft paper generally provides higher bursting strength than recycled paper due to stronger fibres.

2. Fibre Length

Longer fibres create stronger bonding, increasing resistance to rupture.

3. Paper Manufacturing Process

Proper refining, pressing, and drying improve paper strength.

4. Moisture Content

Excess moisture weakens paper fibres and lowers bursting strength.

Maintaining proper storage conditions is essential.

5. Paper Grammage (GSM)

Heavier papers often provide higher bursting strength, but GSM alone does not determine quality.

The fibre quality is equally important.

Typical Bursting Strength Applications

Different industries require different levels of paper strength.

Low Bursting Strength

Suitable for:

Lightweight cartons
Retail packaging
Garments
Bakery products

Medium Bursting Strength

Recommended for:

Pharmaceuticals
FMCG
Household products
Electronics

High Bursting Strength

Used for:

Industrial packaging
Automotive parts
Engineering products
Export cartons

Very High Bursting Strength

Required for:

Heavy machinery
Chemical packaging
Large industrial components
High-value exports

Advantages of High Bursting Strength

Using paper with appropriate bursting strength offers several benefits.

✔ Better tear resistance

✔ Improved puncture resistance

✔ Longer packaging life

✔ Reduced transportation damage

✔ Better handling performance

✔ Higher customer satisfaction

Limitations of the Bursting Strength Test

Although important, Bursting Strength is not the only quality parameter.

Modern corrugated packaging also depends on:

GSM
Edge Crush Test (ECT)
Box Compression Test (BCT)
Cobb Test
Moisture Content
Pin Adhesion Test
Flute Profile
Board Construction

A strong paper alone does not guarantee a strong corrugated box.

Common Mistakes Buyers Make

Many packaging buyers believe:

❌ Higher Bursting Strength always means better packaging.

In reality:

Wrong flute selection
Poor adhesive quality
Weak box design
Low ECT
Poor BCT

can still result in packaging failure.

The complete packaging design should always be considered.

How to Improve Bursting Strength

Manufacturers improve bursting strength by:

✔ Using high-quality kraft paper

✔ Selecting longer paper fibres

✔ Maintaining proper moisture levels

✔ Improving paper manufacturing processes

✔ Using premium adhesives

✔ Performing routine laboratory testing

These practices ensure consistent packaging quality.

Bursting Strength vs Other Quality Tests

Test	Measures	Purpose
GSM	Paper Weight	Paper grammage
Bursting Strength	Pressure Resistance	Paper durability
Burst Factor	Strength Rating	Paper selection
ECT	Edge Strength	Stacking performance
BCT	Box Compression	Finished box strength
Cobb Test	Water Absorption	Moisture resistance
Moisture Test	Moisture Content	Paper stability

Together, these tests provide a complete assessment of corrugated packaging quality.

Expert Tips from Asian Packaging Industries

Our packaging engineers recommend:

Never choose packaging based only on Bursting Strength.
Consider BF, GSM, ECT, and BCT together.
Use stronger paper for export shipments.
Test every incoming paper batch.
Select board construction based on product weight—not assumptions.
Review transportation and warehouse conditions before finalizing specifications.

This integrated approach ensures maximum product protection while optimizing packaging costs.

Why Choose Asian Packaging Industries?

At Asian Packaging Industries, quality begins with rigorous testing and careful material selection.

Our manufacturing capabilities include:

Family-owned packaging business with decades of experience
Six advanced manufacturing units
Annual turnover of approximately ₹107+ crore
250+ skilled workforce supported by experienced technical staff
Imported Heidelberg 5-Colour + Coater printing technology
Automatic corrugation and converting lines
In-house laboratory for Bursting Strength, BF, GSM, ECT, BCT, Cobb Test, Moisture Testing, and other quality evaluations
Customized packaging development
Reliable transportation fleet for safe and timely deliveries

Every corrugated box is manufactured under strict quality control to ensure consistent strength, durability, and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bursting Strength Test?

It measures the maximum pressure required to rupture a paper or corrugated board sample under controlled conditions.

Why is the Bursting Strength Test important?

It helps determine the quality and durability of paper used in corrugated packaging, reducing the risk of box failure during transportation.

Is Bursting Strength the same as Burst Factor?

No. Bursting Strength is the measured test value, while Burst Factor is calculated by dividing Bursting Strength by GSM.

Does higher Bursting Strength always mean a stronger box?

Not necessarily. The overall strength of a corrugated box also depends on ECT, BCT, flute profile, board construction, adhesive quality, and box design.

Which industries require high Bursting Strength?

Engineering, automotive, export packaging, chemicals, industrial products, and heavy machinery often require paper with higher bursting strength.

Conclusion

The Bursting Strength Test is one of the most important quality tests in the corrugated packaging industry because it measures the paper’s ability to withstand pressure before rupturing. While it provides valuable insight into paper quality, it should always be considered alongside other parameters such as GSM, Burst Factor, ECT, BCT, and moisture resistance to achieve the best packaging performance.

At Asian Packaging Industries, we combine advanced manufacturing technology, premium raw materials, and comprehensive quality testing to produce corrugated packaging that delivers reliable protection, consistent quality, and long-term value. Whether you’re packaging FMCG products, pharmaceuticals, industrial equipment, or export shipments, our team can help you develop packaging solutions that meet the highest standards of strength and performance.

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