Packaging – burst testing

How we test seal strength in retort pouches and lidded trays – a test used by the packaging manufacturers and food and drink producers for quality control and troubleshooting.

Contact us

Before you Send please insert the same letters and numbers you see in this image captcha_image into this box: (this helps us fight spam)


When you click on the Send button you will be deemed to have accepted our terms and conditions

You may also be interested in

Transcript

Burst testing is used to determine seal strength and a pack's ability to withstand transportation and handling. It's particularly used for retort pouches and tray and lidding applications. We would expect clients that produce retort pouches or plastics to use this test, along with manufacturers of ready meals and retort processed foods.


The pack to be tested is placed between restraining plates. The needles from the compressed air line are inserted into the pack via septum. Compressed air is uniformly injected into the pack and this is recorded, as is the time taken for the pack to inflate.


As the pack inflates, the force acting on the upper and lower body of the pack are balanced by the reaction force exerted on the plates. The plates are there to maintain a constant angle. And without these, the pack would take a pillow shape and the seals would peel from the inside.


The pack bursts and this indicates if there are any defects or weak areas in the seal, or just gives a reading of the strength of the seal. The pressure is recorded at the point at which the pack bursts.

More on Packaging

Selection of different flour types in brown sacks

Bread and flour regulations amended to help protect health of babies in England

Get the latest information on new amendments to the 1998 Bread and Flour Regulations, which will help better protect the health of babies in England.


Man presenting with flip chart in front of an audience

‘Hot topics’ top 5 – the key focus areas and industry challenges that our members are talking about

The hottest topics that were most discussed in our 2023 Member Interest Group (MIG) meetings, why these issues are ‘hot’, what the challenges are and how we ...


Food packaging on production line

5 ways to optimise the packaging of your food and drink products

Exploring five of the many ways that packaging can be optimised to maximise your food and drink product profitability. From directly reducing packaging costs...


Modified atmosphere packaging in pilot plant

Modified atmosphere packaging - 'The carbon dioxide effect'

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is used as a means of preservation and is well known in the food industry as a method to extend the shelf-life of a range...


Food product being inspected on production line

5 reasons to proactively optimise your food and drink products

As the global population continues to increase, so do the opportunities for food and drink manufacturers and suppliers.


Single-use plastic waste

Single-use plastic ban in the European Union

The EU Single-Use Plastics Directive is making big changes to food service packaging habits. With the EU member states taking a variety of approaches to put ...



Contact an expert