The edge crush test (ECT) explained

The edge crush test (ECT), to EN ISO 3037 or TAPPI T 811, provides information on the strength of corrugated board with flutes positioned vertically. It is important that forces are applied exactly perpendicular to the specimen during these tests.

The edge crush resistance is included in the McKee formula and is therefore of particular importance for quality control in corrugated board factories. An essential requirement of this test that the specimen has clean, perpendicular edges and the material must be free of existing damage. Knives are not ideal for cutting specimens and lever shears are not suitable at all. Good results are achieved with a twin-blade circular saw.

• Precision-guided compression platens provide extremely high lateral stiffness, ensuring reproducible determination of characteristic values.
• The compression platens are suitable for the ring crush test (RCT) the flat crush test (FCT), the edge crush test (ECT) and the corrugating medium test (CMT).
• An essential requirement of this test is that the specimen has clean, parallel and perpendicular edges and the material must be free of existing damage. Zwick's twin-bladed circular saw enables optimum specimen preparation.