ASTM D3344 Standard Test Method for Total Wax Content of Corrugated Paperboard
5. Apparatus
5.1 Sample Trimming Equipment - A suitable trimming board or template arrangement equipped with a razor edge knife for even cutting of specimens so that they have parallel sides and are of the right size. (A guillotine-type paper cutter is not recommended.)
5.2 Measuring Rule, steel-edged, rule for measuring the size of specimen to within 0.5 mm.
5.3 Beakers, 1000 cm3, Griffin-type.
5.4 Solvent - Chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, 1,1,1-trichloroethane. (Warning - May cause irritation. Avoid contact with the eyes, skin, and clothing. Use only with adequate ventilation. Avoid prolonged breathing of vapor or spray mist. Avoid prolonged or repeated contact with skin. Do not take internally.) The solvent used should be residue-free, and should be checked for a residue upon evaporation before using.
5.5 Steel Screen, 325-mesh, approximately 150 mm in diameter, to fit into a funnel.
5.6 Glass Funnel, approximately 100 mm in diameter.
5.7 Watch Glasses.
5.8 Steam Bath or Hot Plate in Hood.
5.9 Laboratory Hot Plate.
5.10 Analytical Balance reading to the nearest 0.0001 g.
6. Test Specimen
6.1 Condition all boards at 23 °C (73 °F) and 50 % relative humidity for a minimum of 48 h before beginning the test procedure.
6.2 From each sample unit, that is, each finished carton blank or paperboard sheet, cut representative specimens free of obvious defects. Each specimen should measure 100 mm by 100 mm, cut to the nearest 0.5 mm. Two specimens are required from each sample unit to be tested.
NOTE 2 - The operator may be required to increase the replication and treatment of specimens to obtain a better estimate of "average" wax content, (1) if the waxing is at an extremely low content, or (2) if the wax content shows obvious wide variations in distribution over the board area.
NOTE 3 - Optionally, specimens of other dimensions may be used if required by sampling limitations. In such cases, calculations need to be appropriately adjusted.
