The strength and durability of corrugated box packaging can be tested and evaluated through a variety of methods.

Burst Strength Test: This test measures the maximum amount of force a box can withstand before it ruptures. It involves applying pressure to the box until it bursts, and the force required to do so is measured.

The burst strength of a corrugated box can vary widely depending on factors such as the type of corrugated material used, the size and shape of the box, and the quality of the manufacturing process. A study conducted by the Fibre Box Association found that the average burst strength for a 32 ECT corrugated box was approximately 200 pounds per square inch (psi) (Fibre Box Association, 2017).

Edge Crush Test (ECT): The ECT measures the vertical compression strength of a box. The box is placed between two plates, and pressure is applied until it collapses. The amount of pressure required to collapse the box is measured, and the ECT value is expressed in pounds per inch. The ECT value is an important indicator of a corrugated box's strength and durability, particularly in vertical compression applications. A study conducted by the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) found that increasing the ECT value of a corrugated box by just one point could result in a 5-10% improvement in stacking strength (ISTA, 2012).

Box Compression Test (BCT): This test determines the maximum amount of pressure a box can withstand before it collapses. The box is placed on a platform, and pressure is gradually increased until the box collapses. The amount of pressure required to collapse the box is measured, and the BCT value is expressed in pounds. Particularly in horizontal compression applications.

A study conducted by the Fibre Box Association found that the average BCT value for a 32 ECT corrugated box was approximately 275 pounds (Fibre Box Association, 2017).

Vibration Test: This test simulates the effects of transportation on a box. The box is placed on a vibrating platform and subjected to different frequencies and amplitudes. The test is designed to evaluate the box's ability to withstand the rigors of transportation. A study conducted by the ISTA found that the frequency and amplitude of vibration can have a significant impact on the performance of a corrugated box, with higher frequencies and amplitudes resulting in more damage to the contents (ISTA, 2012).

Drop Test: This test simulates the effects of dropping a box during transportation. The box is dropped from a predetermined height, and the impact is measured. The test is designed to evaluate the box's ability to protect its contents during handling and transportation. A study conducted by the Fibre Box Association found that the ability of a corrugated box to withstand drops is largely dependent on the quality of the manufacturing process and the design of the box (Fibre Box Association, 2017).

Puncture Resistance Test: This test measures the ability of a material to resist puncture or penetration by a sharp object. A puncture head is used to apply force to a specific area of the box until it punctures. The maximum amount of force that the box can resist before puncturing is A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science evaluated the puncture resistance of biodegradable films made from a blend of cornstarch and polylactic acid. The results showed that adding a small amount of cellulose nanocrystals to the blend significantly increased the puncture resistance of the film (Ma et al., 2021).

Tensile Strength Test: This test measures the force required to pull a material to the point of fracture. This test measures the force required to pull a piece of corrugated board or box apart. The sample is cut into a specific shape and then pulled apart in a tensile tester. The maximum force that the sample can withstand before it tears is recorded. A study published in the Journal of Polymers and the Environment evaluated the tensile strength of composite materials made from recycled polyethylene and sugarcane bagasse fibers. The results showed that the addition of the sugarcane bagasse fibers significantly increased the tensile strength of the composite materials (Santos et al., 2020).

Cobb Test: This test measures the ability of a paper or paperboard to absorb water. This test measures the amount of water that can be absorbed by the surface of the corrugated board or box. The sample is weighed, and then a specific amount of water is dropped onto the surface. The sample is then weighed again to determine the amount of water that was absorbed. A recent study published in the journal BioResources evaluated the Cobb values of paperboards made from a blend of recycled pulp and sugarcane bagasse fibers. The results showed that the addition of the sugarcane bagasse fibers significantly increased the Cobb values of the paperboards, indicating improved water absorption properties (Hernández-Carrillo et al., 2022).

Compression Strength Test: This test measures the ability of a material to resist compressive forces. This test measures the amount of pressure that a corrugated box can withstand when it is stacked or loaded. The box is placed on a platform, and pressure is applied until the box collapses. The amount of pressure required to collapse the box is measured, and the compression strength value is expressed in pounds per square inch. A study published in the Journal of Composite Materials evaluated the compression strength of sandwich panels made from a honeycomb core and carbon fiber reinforced polymer face sheets. The results showed that the compression strength of the panels increased as the thickness of the face sheets and the cell size of the honeycomb core increased (Mir et al., 2020).