ASTM D1968-22

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it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D1968 − 19 D1968 − 22
Standard Terminology
Relating to Paper and Paper Products
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1968; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 The terms in this standard are related to paper and paper products.
1.2 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D528 Test Method for Machine Direction of Paper and Paperboard (Withdrawn 2010)
D548 Test Method for Water-Soluble Acidity or Alkalinity of Paper (Withdrawn 2009)
D585 Practice for Sampling and Accepting a Single Lot of Paper, Paperboard, Fiberboard, and Related Product (Withdrawn
2010)
D586 Test Method for Ash and Organic Matter Content of Degradable Erosion Control Products
D589 Test Method for Opacity of Paper (15° Diffuse Illuminant A, 89 % Reflectance Backing and Paper Backing) (Withdrawn
2010)
D643 Test Method for Folding Endurance of Paper by the Schopper Tester (Withdrawn 2010)
D645/D645M Test Method for Thickness of Paper and Paperboard (Withdrawn 2010)
D646 Test Method for Mass Per Unit Area of Paper and Paperboard of Aramid Papers (Basis Weight) (Withdrawn 2022)
D685 Practice for Conditioning Paper and Paper Products for Testing
D727 Test Method for Kerosine Number of Roofing and Flooring Felt by the Vacuum Method
D774/D774M Test Method for Bursting Strength of Paper (Withdrawn 2010)
D778 Test Methods for Hydrogen Ion Concentration (pH) of Paper Extracts (Hot-Extraction and Cold-Extraction Procedures)
(Withdrawn 2010)
D828 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Paper and Paperboard Using Constant-Rate-of-Elongation Apparatus
D829 Test Methods for Wet Tensile Breaking Strength of Paper and Paper Products (Withdrawn 2009)
D918 Test Method for Blocking Resistance of Paper and Paperboard (Withdrawn 2011)
D919 Test Method for Copper Number of Paper and Paperboard (Withdrawn 2009)
D984 Test Methods for Reducible Sulfur in Paper (Withdrawn 2010)
D985 Test Method for Brightness of Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (Directional Reflectance at 457 nm) (Withdrawn 2010)
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.27 on Fiberboard Shipping
Containers, Containerboard and Related Structures and Materials.
Current edition approved April 1, 2019April 15, 2022. Published June 2019May 2022. Originally approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 20152019 as
D1968D1968 – 19.–15. DOI: 10.1520/D1968-19.10.1520/D1968-22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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D1968 − 22
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D2019 Test Method for Dirt in Paper and Paperboard (Withdrawn 2010)
D2175 Test Method for Book Bulk and Book Bulking Number of Paper (Withdrawn 2010)
D2176 Test Method for Folding Endurance of Paper and Plastics Film by the M.I.T. Tester
D2482 Test Method for Surface Strength of Paper (Wax Pick Method) (Withdrawn 2010)
D3208 Specification for Manifold Papers for Permanent Records (Withdrawn 2010)
D3290 Specification for Bond and Ledger Papers for Permanent Records (Withdrawn 2010)
D3301 Specification for File Folders for Storage of Permanent Records (Withdrawn 2010)
D3453 Specification for Flexible Cellular Materials—Urethane for Furniture and Automotive Cushioning, Bedding, and Similar
Applications
D3458 Specification for Copies from Office Copying Machines for Permanent Records (Withdrawn 2010)
D4431 Specification for Paper Towels for Industrial and Institutional Use (Withdrawn 2000)
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
D4727 Specification for Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut Shapes
D4917 Test Method for Coefficient of Static and Kinetic Friction of Uncoated Writing and Printing Paper by Use of the
Horizontal Plane Method (Withdrawn 2010)
D4918 Test Method for Coefficient of Static Friction of Uncoated Writing and Printing Paper by Use of the Inclined Plane
Method (Withdrawn 2010)
D4949 Test Method for Determination of D-C Resistivity of Writing Paper (Keithley Method) (Withdrawn 2011)
D4987 Test Method for Tensile Breaking Strength of Perforations in One-Part Continuous Forms Paper (Withdrawn 2010)
D5039 Test Methods for Identification of Wire Side of Paper (Withdrawn 2009)
D5342 Test Method for Resistance to Bending of Paper and Paperboard (Taber-Type Tester in Basic Configuration) (Withdrawn
2010)
D5625 Test Method for Measuring Length, Width, and Squareness of Sheeted Paper and Paper Products (Withdrawn 2009)
D5626 Test Methods for U.S. Postal Service Optical Measurements for Small Areas (Withdrawn 2011)
D5634 Guide for Selection of Permanent and Durable Offset and Book Papers (Withdrawn 2010)
D5650 Test Method for Resistance to Bending of Paper of Low Bending Stiffness (Taber-Type Tester in 0 to 10 Taber Stiffness
Unit Configuration) (Withdrawn 2010)
D5663 Guide for Validating Recycled Content in Packaging Paper and Paperboard
D5725 Test Method for Surface Wettability and Absorbency of Sheeted Materials Using an Automated Contact Angle Tester
(Withdrawn 2010)
D5803 Test Method for Tensile Strength at Zero-Span (“Wet Zero-Span Tensile”) (Withdrawn 2009)
D5804 Test Methods for Zero-Span Tensile Strength (“Dry Zero-Span Tensile”) (Withdrawn 2009)
D6043 Guide for Selection of Permanent and Durable Artist’s Paper (Withdrawn 2010)
D8410 Specification for Evaluation of Cellulosic-Fiber-Based Packaging Materials and Products for Compostability in
Municipal or Industrial Aerobic Composting Facilities
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
acid-sized paper, n—paper that has been manufactured using a procedure or process at pH values below 7 (usually 4.0 to 6.5)
that results in paper that has resistance to aqueous liquid penetration. See sizing. D3208, D3290, D3301, D3458, D5634, D6043
additives, n—functional additives are chemicals or materials that are added to paper to impart or enhance properties of the paper;
process additives are used to improve operations or the runnability of the paper machine.
DISCUSSION—
Functional additives may include starch, dry strength additives, wet strength resins, sizing, fillers, brightening chemicals, etc. Process additives may
include drainage aides, enzymes, chelating agents, slime and bacteria control, etc.
alkaline-filled paper, n—a paper containing an alkaline filler such as calcium carbonate; having a pH value in excess of 7
(extract pH usually in the range from 7.5 to 10.0), and containing a reserve buffering capacity that can neutralize acidic materials
formed in the paper or acidic gases sorbed from the atmosphere. D3208, D3290, D3301, D3458, D5634, D6043
alkaline reserve, n—the level, expressed as moles per kilogram or percent by weight of paper, of alkaline materials (such as
calcium carbonate) capable of neutralizing either acidic degradation products formed in paper during its use and storage, or
acidic gases sorbed by the paper from the atmosphere.
D1968 − 22
alkaline-sized paper, n—paper that has been manufactured using a procedure or process at a pH value above 7 (usually 7.5 to
10.0) that results in paper that has resistance to aqueous liquid penetration. See sizing. D3208, D3290, D3301, D3458, D5634,
D6043
ash, n—in wood, pulp, or paper; general term, the residue after the ignition of a specimen of wood, pulp, or paper at a specified
temperature for a specified time so as to remove combustible and volatile components. D586
base paper, n—the fiber network existent prior to the application of any material onto the surface of that fiber network. D3208,
D3290, D3301, D3458
DISCUSSION—
An example is paper, internally sized, in preparation for a coating or surface sizing operation.
basis weight, n—weight of paperboard per unit area expressed in terms of pounds per 1000 square feet (lb/1000 ft ) or as
grammage in grams per square meter (g/m ).
bending moment, n— of paper, the work (force multiplied by the distance over which it is applied) required to deflect the test
piece under specified conditions. D5342, D5650
bleached, adj—having been subjected to the process of bleaching. D3301, D3453, D5634, D6043, D3208, D3290
bleaching, n—a process involving a chemical or biological treatment of pulp, primarily to increase whiteness and brightness;
such a process may alter or remove noncellulosic materials, such as but not limited to lignin, resin, and colorants.
blocking, n—of paper or paperboard, undesired cohesion or adhesion that interferes with the satisfactory and efficient use of
the material. D918
blocking resistance, n— of paper or paperboard, the capacity of a given paper or paperboard to resist blocking. See blocking.
D918
board, n—abbreviated usage in context for various paperboards, such as: boxboard and containerboard, or their subcategories:
carton board, chipboard, linerboard and medium.
bond paper, n—one of many grades of paper covering a wide range of quality, from grades requiring superior permanence,
strength and durability to applications where permanence and durability are less important, but in all cases requiring good
printing properties, color fidelity, erasability, and cleanliness. D3290
book bulk, n—the overall thickness of a given number of sheets. See thickness. D2175
book paper, n—a general term for a group of uncoated or coated papers (exclusive of newsprint) suitable for the graphic arts.
D5634
DISCUSSION—
Grammage of book papers is usually in the range from 44 to 148 g/m (basis weight 30 to 100 lb, 25 x 38 in. – 500 sheets). They are characterized
by a wide variety of surface finishes (for example, antique, eggshell, machine, English, dull, matte, supercalendered, glossy, etc.), with good formation,
printability and cleanliness.
box, n—nonspecific term for a rigid container with closed faces to enclose contents. It is often associated or made with
corrugated or boxboard materials but also can be made with wood, plastic, metal or other materials, When this term is used in
connection with fiberboard boxes, such boxes must comply with all the requirements of the carrier rules. (See also Terminology
D996.)
D1968 − 22
boxboard, n—general term designating the grades of paperboard used for fabrication of folding and set-up boxes and cartons.
(See also Terminology D996.)
breaking length, n—of pulp and paper, a calculated value expressed as the length of a strip of paper, usually stated in metres,
which would break of its own weight when suspended vertically; calculated from the tensile strength and the basis weight of
the sheet. D828
brightness, n—in paper and paperboard, reflectance of an infinitely thick stack of material measured for blue light with centroid
wavelength of 457 nm under specified spectral and geometric conditions. D828
bulking number, n— of paper, the number of sheets required to produce a stack of 25 mm thickness (approximately 1 in.). See
thickness. D2175
bursting strength, n—resistance of paper to rupture as measured by the hydrostatic pressure when a uniformly distributed and
increasing pressure is applied to one of its sides. See Mullen, Test Method D774/D774M. (See also Terminology D996.)
bursting strength—of paper or paperboard, the maximum liquid pressure required to produce rupture of the material when the
pressure is increased at a controlled rate through a rubber diaphragm to a constrained circular area of the material. D774/D774M
bursting strength “points”, n—in paper, a unit of measure for bursting strength, measured in pounds per square inch, that
should be considered colloquial and directly interchangeable with “pounds per square inch”. See bursting strength.
D774/D774M
caliper, n—of paper and paperboard, see thickness.
cardboard, n—paperboard typically made using recycled fibers on a cylinder machine. It differs from containerboard in how
it is manufactured and in its performance attributes. The term is commonly and inappropriately used as a synonym for
containerboard.
carton, n—folding box generally made from boxboard that is used as a primary package for merchandising consumer quantities
of products. Folding cartons are not generally suitable for shipping containers. (See also Terminology D996.)
case, n—nonspecific term for a shipping container. In domestic commerce, case usually refers to a box made from corrugated
or solid fiberboard wood, or metal. Used by the packaging machinery industry to mean a filled corrugated or solid fiberboard
box. (See also Terminology D996.)
case pack, adj—number of the same stock keeping unit (SKU) items in the master carton that the product manufacturer packs
together and distributes to its customers.
chemical pulp, n—fibrous material obtained by a predominantly chemical treatment of wood or other plant material; principal
processes are sulfate (also known as kraft), sulfite, and soda. (see mechanical pulp and semichemical pulp)
chipboard, n—paperboard generally made from recycled paper stock. Cylinder machines are most commonly used to make
chipboard and other heavy grades from multiple plies of recycled fiber. Not generally used in packaging except as an inner
component or as a slip sheet or pull sheet. (See also Terminology D996.)
2 2
coated paper, n—paper which has been coated on one or both sides with a minimum coat weight of 2.5 lb/3300-ft (3.7 g/m )
of coating material per side. see coating. D3458
D1968 − 22
coating, n—of paper, the layer of pigment and adhesive applied to the surface of paper or paperboard to create a new surface.
D5634
DISCUSSION—
Paper is coated to improve smoothness and the efficiency of printing. Although the kind and amount of coating are important, the purchaser is
concerned with performance, that is, smoothness, resistance to pick, printability, etc.
cockle, n—of paper, a defective, puckered condition of a paper sheet as a result of non-uniform hygro-expansion which can be
related to any non-uniformity in the sheet, including mass distribution and drying stresses.
cockle finish, n— of paper, an intentional rough, puckered surface, typically obtained by rewetting and drying of a paper sheet
without physical restraint.
coefficient of kinetic or sliding friction, n—of paper, the ratio of the force required to sustain the uniform relative movement
of the surfaces, to the normal force. D4917, D4918
coefficient of static or starting friction, n—of paper, the ratio of the force resisting initial motion of the surfaces, to the normal
force. D4917, D4918
conditioning, v—using controlled, specified temperature and humidity conditions over a specific time period to prepare paper
or paperboard packaging material for standard testing or another arbitration. D685, D4332
combined board, n—see corrugated fiberboard.
contact angle, n— for paper wettability, the angle formed by a paper substrate and the tangent to the surface of the liquid drop
at the point of contact with the substrate when measured under specified conditions. D5725
containerboard, n—type of paperboard, including linerboard and corrugating medium used to manufacture corrugated
combined board and solid fiberboard. (See also Terminology D996.)
contaminant, n—a general term applicable to various extraneous and undesirable materials in pulp or other papermaking raw
materials.
DISCUSSION—
The term contaminant may in some instances refer to materials such as adhesives, wet strength resins, inks, dirt, coatings, toners, asphalt, plastics,
rubber, and so forth.
continuous form, n—a quantity of paper made up of numerous connected individual perforated sheets, folded to form a pack.
D4987
copper number—the weight in grams of copper reduced from the cupric to the cuprous state by exposure to 100 g of paper,
paperboard, or pulp as determined by a specified method; indicates the relative number of reducing groups in the pulp or paper
and is used as a measure of its chemical quality and stability. D919
corrugated board, n—see corrugated fiberboard.
corrugated fiberboard, n—a structure formed by assembling and gluing one or more fluted corrugating mediums together with
one or more flat facings (linerboard/containerboard). D4727
DISCUSSION—
See also Terminology D996.
single face—the structure formed by one corrugated medium glued to one flat facing.
single wall—the structure formed by one corrugating mediums glued between two flat facings; also known as double face.
D1968 − 22
double wall—the structure formed by three flat facings and two intermediate corrugating mediums.
triple wall—the structure formed by four flat facings and three intermediate corrugating mediums.
corrugating medium, n—type of containerboard used in forming the fluted portion of single face board or corrugated combined
board. (See also Terminology D996.)
cotton linters, n—the short fibers adhering to cottonseed after the operation of ginning (seed removal and cleaning); cut from
the seed in a series of passes through cutting blades and referred to as “first-cut linters,” “second-cut linters,” “mill run,” and
so forth; used primarily in the manufacture of cotton fiber content paper and cellulose derivatives.
critical wax strength number, n—in paper surface strength, the average highest numerical designation of wax that does not
disturb the surface of the paper whose surface strength is tested by the wax pick method under specified conditions. See pick.
D2482
cross direction—the direction of the paper or paperboard at right angles to the machine direction. Sometimes referred to as CD,
CMD (cross machine direction), and across machine direction. D528
degradation, n—change of a chemical compound to a less complex compound (dictionary definition).
dirt, n—general term, any undesirable, extraneous, or contamination material visible in transmitted or reflected light in or on
pulp, paper, or paperboard.
dirt, n—quantitative term, any undesirable, extraneous, or contaminating material in or on pulp, paper or paperboard, that has
marked contrasting color to the rest of the sheet when viewed at more than one angle by reflected light, and that has an equivalent
black area of 0.04 mm or more. See dirt,equivalent black area of a dirt speck (EBA).
dirt, n—equivalent black area of a dirt speck (EBA), the area of the black spot on the white background of the TAPPI Standard
Dirt Chart that makes the same visual impression on its background as does the dirt speck on the particular background in which
it is embedded. D2019
DISCUSSION—
It follows that the estimated equivalent black area of a gray or colored speck would be smaller than its actual area in inverse proportion to the intensity
of its color contrast with its background. The equivalent area of a black spot in a dark brown paper would be considerably smaller than its actual area,
and rightly so, since its presence would not be as pronounced as it would be if it were embedded in a white sheet.
double fold, n— of paper, one complete oscillation of the paper test specimen, during which it is folded first forward, then
backward about the same base. D643
durability, n—of paper, the capacity of paper or paperboard to resist the effects of wear in performance situations. D3208,
D3290, D3301, D3458, D5634, D6043
DISCUSSION—
Durability should not be used interchangeably with permanence. For example, paper money should be durable, but maximum permanence is not
essential.
elastic limit, n— of paper and paperboard, the value of paper or paperboard tensile force above which the ratio of the rate of
change in the tensile force to the rate of change in length is no longer constant. See elongation and tensile strength. D828
elastic region, n— of paper and paperboard, the region of tensile force-elongation behavior of a specific paper or paperboard
where the ratio of the rate of change in the tensile force to the rate of change in length is constant. See elongation and tensile
strength. D828
elongation, n—of paper and paperboard, See stretch. D828
D1968 − 22
facing, n—linerboard used as the outer (inside and/or outside) components of corrugated combined board; also called linerboard.
(See also Terminology D996.)
fiber, n—a thread-like body or filament many times longer than its diameter. For paper, fibers usually are of vegetable origin
but may be derived from animal, mineral, or synthetic sources for special types of paper products.
fiberboard box or fiber box, n—box made of corrugated combined board or solid containerboard, generally used as shipping
containers. (See also Terminology D996, fiberboard containers.)
filler, n—for paper or paperboard, a material, generally nonfibrous and inorganic, added to the fiber furnish.
filler, n—for paperboard, the inner ply or plies of a multi-ply sheet.
fold number, n—See folding number. D643, D2176
folder stock, n—a paperboard used for the manufacture of folders for filing purposes. D3301
DISCUSSION—
It is usually made of wood pulp and reclaimed paperstock, although some grades are made from rope or jute stock. It may be surface sized to provide
better wearing qualities. It is characterized by high values for tearing resistance, stiffness, and folding endurance.
folding endurance, n— of paper, the average of the logarithms to the base 10 of the individual folding numbers. See folding
number. D643, D2176
folding number, n—the number of double folds required to cause failure of a paper test specimen when it is subjected to a
prescribed folding procedure. D643, D2176
furnish, n—in any papermaking process, all of the materials added prior to sheet formation
glazed manifold, n—a manifold paper having a high gloss, or polish, formed on the surface of the paper by methods such as
friction glazing, calendering, plating, etc. D3208
grain, n—the machine direction of paper.
DISCUSSION—
The machine direction of most machine-made papers is generally the direction of highest stiffness and highest tensile strength properties. The higher
strength properties result from the combined effects of higher fiber orientation, wet-straining, and drying restraint in the machine direction. The
direction of maximum stiffness can significantly affect how well a paper feeds in equipment such as offset presses, photocopiers, or computer printers.
For this reason, the manufacturers of such equipment generally recommend the use of either “grain long paper” or “grain short paper.” By altering
the paper manufacturing process to change fiber orientation, wet-straining, or drying restraint, it may be possible to produce a paper that has a direction
of maximum stiffness that is not in the machine direction.
grain lo
...