Two suppliers are offering 100 gsm kraft paper but with different bursting factors: 16 and 22.
Confused, right? See, prices are different, and it is unclear which one will perform better for your packaging needs. This is one of the most common problems that packaging buyers and bag manufacturers face. All your doubts can be cleared at a glance once you understand the bursting factor in kraft paper. The value helps you compare the strength of different paper materials beyond their weight. This guide explains what BF, or bursting factor, is, and how you can calculate it to choose the best grade of kraft paper for your application.
What is the Bursting Factor in Kraft Paper?
BF, or Bursting factor, helps measure the bursting strength of the paper according to its grammage. The bursting strength of the paper is the maximum pressure it can handle before it punctures or ruptures. The BF value of a specific kraft paper helps buyers understand its strength for its weight.
Buyers can select the right grade of packaging paper with a specific BF value as per the different applications. It helps them to select robust quality kraft paper for packaging products like shopping bags and industrial containers to transport raw materials.
However, for large-scale procurement processes, BF is only a single parameter to determine the right strength-to-weight ratio. There are various other factors to consider, such as tear and moisture resistance.
If you are comparing different paper grades, read our blog: What is GSM Paper? Choosing the Right Paper Weight and Thickness, to learn how paper weight affects the buying decision.
How to Calculate BF or Bursting Factor of a Paper?
According to the Government of India’s MANAGE publication, Seafood Industrial Practises (PDF), here’s the formula to calculate BF:
BF = (Bursting Strength in kgf/cm² x 1,000) / Grammage (GSM)
Example: The calculation for a sample paper with bursting strength of 3 kgf/cm² and 150 GSM will be:
- BF = (3 x 1000) / 150
- BF = 20
What Affects the BF or Bursting Factor of Kraft Paper?
Here are the factors that affect the BF of kraft paper:
- Fibre Type: Different types of fibre used for making the paper material can affect its strength properties.
- Fibre Length and Pulp Treatment: Types of fibre and their processing have major effects on the fibre bonding process.
- Moisture Content: Excess moisture can affect paper strength negatively.
- Manufacturing Process: A multi-stage manufacturing process, along with sizing, mainly influences the final paper properties.
Khatema Fibres Limited uses imported wastepaper and pulps to manufacture premium finish kraft paper. We carefully assess the BF, GSM, and other specifications of the raw materials to produce high-performance packaging paper products.
Common Paper BF Categories and Their Use Cases
There are mainly three categories of bursting factor for a paper to select, as per the nature of the application:
- Lower BF: A paper with a lower BF value is mainly used for general packaging where high bursting resistance is not needed. It is suitable for lightweight wrapping applications.
- Moderate BF: This category of paper is ideal for shopping bags and everyday packaging with moderate load capacity and GSM.
- Higher BF: It is preferred for industrial-grade heavy packaging and strong paper bags for commercial places with higher load capacity.
Note: Before selecting a kraft paper, you should check these major points: BF, GSM, tear resistance, and tensile strength.
Reference: Bureau of Indian Standards or BIS: Indian Standards on Sustainable Packaging Handbook (PDF)
How to Choose the Right BF for Kraft Paper?
Follow these steps to choose the right BF value for kraft paper:
Identify Application: You should consider these factors: product weight, sharp edges, handling conditions, and expected bag life.
Choose the Right GSM: Select the right paper weight to expect the best performance from the final product, like a shopping bag.
Compare Different BF Values: Check the different bursting factor range and choose the right value for your final product and its load requirement.
Storage Conditions and Transportation: Consider storage conditions and transportation while selecting the BF value, as excess moisture and rough handling can affect material quality.
How Khatema Fibres Helps You Procure the Right Grade of Kraft Paper?
Buyers need to choose the right grade of kraft paper to get the best performance without affecting the packaging costs. Khatema Fibres helps them explore and choose the kraft paper with the right specs for their specific packaging requirements. Our experts provide technical assistance and help the buyers understand the exact GSM, BF value, and other parameters they require for their application. Buying kraft paper in bulk from Khatema Fibres becomes a hassle-free procurement experience.
