TAPPI, the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, is a US-based technical association for the pulp, paper, packaging and converting industries. It publishes test methods, known as TAPPI standards, used to measure properties of paper and corrugated board such as edge crush and box compression strength.
What TAPPI standards cover
TAPPI test methods are numbered with a T prefix and cover pulp, paper, paperboard and corrugated properties. Examples relevant to packaging include edge crush testing of corrugated board (T 811) and compression testing of shipping containers (T 804). Buyers and suppliers use these methods so test results are comparable.
Relevance to pallets and unit loads
Corrugated cases carry much of the stacking load on a pallet, so box compression strength, affected by humidity and pallet support, decides how high loads can be stacked. TAPPI methods also apply to fiberboard slip sheets, corrugated edge protectors and cardboard pallets. Gaps between deck boards and overhang reduce effective box strength.
Related standards
Packaging performance testing for distribution usually combines material tests like TAPPI methods with whole-package tests such as ASTM D4169 and ISTA procedures.
Related Terms
- Cardboard Pallet
- ASTM D4169
- ASTM D6055
- Static Compression
- Unit Load
- Stretch Wrap
- Pallet Spacing
- Browse all glossary terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does TAPPI matter to pallet users?
Most palletized freight sits in corrugated boxes, and the boxes carry much of the stacking load. TAPPI test methods, such as edge crush and box compression tests, describe that strength in comparable terms. When boxes collapse in storage, the cause is often a mismatch between box strength, humidity, stack height and how well the pallet deck supports the box edges.
Is TAPPI a pallet standard?
Not directly. TAPPI publishes test methods for pulp, paper and corrugated materials. Pallet design and testing are covered by other standards, such as ANSI MH1 and ISO 8611 for pallet testing and ISO 6780 for dimensions. TAPPI methods become relevant to pallets through the corrugated packaging, slip sheets, edge protectors and paper-based pallets that make up the unit load.