In simple terms, the bending stiffness of a paper refers to the degree to which the paper can withstand bending when a bending force is applied to it. It is basically the tendency of paper to return to its original form after the force is applied to it.
On the other hand, tensile strength is the degree of stretch/stress/elongation the paper can withstand before it finally breaks or permanently deforms.
Both tensile strength and stiffness are crucial physical properties of paper or any other material. While stiffness is the ability of the material to resist stress without rupturing, tensile strength is the ability of the paper to resist deformation in situations of stretch.
Manufacturers use a high-quality tensile strength tester to determine the tensile strength, elongation, and stretch percentage of the paper.
Papers with high tensile strength are strong.
If the applied force exceeds the tensile strength of the strong paper, and the paper has less stiffness, it will break. This is because strong papers do not deform or change shape, they simply break.
On the other hand, if the paper’s tensile strength is low and stiffness is high, the paper will deflect. This is because the deflection allows the stiff paper to accept the applied force. Hence, when the force is removed, the material will come back to its original form. To determine the stiffness of the paper, manufacturers make use of a high-quality bending stiffness tester.
Let us learn about both the testers, as manufactured by UEC, below.
- Tensile Strength Tester
The vertical tensile strength tester efficiently determines the tensile strength and the already-mentioned properties of the paper. And not just the paper, it also measures these properties on tissue paper and board, in both dry and wet states. It consists of a microprocessor and is operated using HMI features and a touchscreen interface. The unit also has sample clamping jaws of 15 mm to hold specimens and a standard load cell.
- Stiffness Tester
UEC’s stiffness tester is used to determine the stiffness and resiliency properties of a paper. Other materials that have up to 10k Taber stiffness units can be measured using this tester with great accuracy. Typically, these materials are paper, paper products, plastics, metal sheets, cardboard, and other materials with flexibility.
Conclusion
So, these were the basic differences between the stiffness and tensile strength of paper and other materials. Both the properties are different, and hence their tests and testers. Manufacturers must make sure to invest in reliable paper testing instruments if they want to evaluate the properties right and get accurate results. To find such steadfast testers, visit UEC’s official website www.uecin.com today and connect with the experts for your queries.