DIN 53109 Paper and Cardboard Tests - Determination of Wear by Wear Wheel Method

The standard “DIN 53109 Paper and cardboard tests - Determination of wear by the wear wheel method”, published by the German Institute for Standardization (DIN), describes a test method for evaluating the abrasion resistance (friction resistance or surface abrasion resistance) of paper and cardboard.

This standard describes how to determine the surface wear (abrasion) of dry and wet paper and cardboard samples using a rotating wear wheel. This simulates the mechanical stress that paper products may be subjected to during handling, printing, packaging, converting, or use. For example, friction against other surfaces, transport on conveyor belts, or repeated contact in daily applications.

This standard applies in particular to:

Coated and uncoated papers
Printing papers
Packaging cartons
Specialty papers requiring good surface durability.

This method helps manufacturers, converters, and quality control laboratories assess how well a paper surface resists friction without excessive dusting, tearing, scratching, or loss of coating.

This test uses a Taber-type rotary abrasive (typically a Taber abrasive or abrasive wheel tester), a commonly used instrument referenced in many other standards.

The typical setup is as follows:

A circular paper/cardboard sample is mounted on a turntable.
Two abrasive wheels (typically CS-10, CS-17, or similar grade flexible rubber-bonded wheels) are pressed against the surface with a specific load (usually 500 g or 1000 g per wheel).
As the wheels are moved in the opposite direction, the turntable rotates and creates an abrasive effect.
The test continues for a specific number of cycles or until a certain endpoint is reached (e.g., visible wear, a certain weight loss, or unacceptable surface change).
The results are generally expressed as follows:
Number of etching cycles required to reach failure/endpoint
Mass loss after a certain number of cycles (in mg)
Visual assessment of the etched surface.

This standard includes provisions for testing in both dry and wet conditions. This is important because many papers behave differently when moisture is present (e.g., uncoated or lightly sized grades have weaker wet abrasion resistance).

The basic equipment used in the tests is as follows:

Rotary wear testing machine (Taber)
Precision analytical balance (for gravimetric evaluation)
Abrasive wheels (specified types and calibration procedures)
Vacuum system to remove worn particles during testing.

This method is very similar to (and is often applied to) the following standards:

ISO 9352 Plastics - Determination of wear resistance with abrasive wheels.
ASTM D3884 Standard guideline for abrasion resistance of textile fabrics (rotating platform abrasive)
DIN 53754, DIN 53799 and DIN 52347 standards
TAPPI T 476 Paper and cardboard abrasion loss

Many modern Taber models list compliance with the DIN 53109 standard among their standards.

In the paper industry, good abrasion resistance is critical for:

Print durability (no peeling or dusting of the paper during offset, flexographic or digital printing)
Packaging performance (resistance to friction in filling lines or during transport)
Label and separator paper
Paper-based decorative and furniture laminates

Low wear values can lead to manufacturing problems, customer complaints, or product failure at the end of use.

In short, the DIN 53109 standard contains a standardized method for determining the abrasion resistance of paper and cardboard using the abrasion wheel method. The main purpose of the standard is to provide a repeatable laboratory procedure to measure how resistant a paper or cardboard sample is to surface abrasion (wear). This is important in industries where paper products are exposed to friction and surface damage during handling, processing, printing, packaging, or end use.

According to these standards, the method is applicable to both dry and moist paper and cardboard substrates, reflecting real-world conditions where materials may be handled at varying moisture levels.

Abrasion resistance is an indicator of the surface durability of paper and cardboard. It helps measure the tendency of the material's surface to wear when subjected to friction. Higher abrasion resistance generally means a more durable surface that will maintain its integrity and appearance through mechanical processing or frictional contact.

The grinding wheel method specified in the DIN 53109 standard follows these steps:

Sample preparation: Paper or cardboard samples are conditioned and prepared according to defined size and moisture content rules.
Testing equipment: A standardized abrasive wheel device is used. The wheel rotates against the surface of the test specimen under controlled pressure.
Test conditions: Separate routines were defined for dry and humid conditions to reflect different process environments.
Test procedure: The abrasive wheel is applied to each sample under specified parameters (load, speed, number of cycles).
Assessment: After the abrasion cycles, the amount of wear is measured. Wear can be measured by visual assessment, weight loss, surface change, or other criteria, depending on the method.

This standard also details calibration, sampling methods, equipment requirements, and reporting formats to ensure consistency among laboratories.

Abrasion resistance is one of many mechanical and surface parameters used in the quality control of paper and cardboard. High abrasion resistance is particularly important for materials used in the following areas:

Graphic arts and print media are fields where repetitive handling and printing stresses occur.
Packaging cardboard must withstand handling and mechanical friction.
Specialized papers are areas where surface performance affects functionality.

The DIN 53109 standard defines a common test method, ensuring that manufacturers, testers, and buyers speak the same language when comparing wear performance across products and batches.

While the DIN 53109 standard focuses on wear, other standards cover different paper properties (e.g., tensile strength, hardness, roughness). The DIN 53109 standard specifically defines wear testing for surface abrasion.

In conclusion, the DIN 53109 standard provides a clear and repeatable method for determining how well paper and cardboard resist surface abrasion under friction. This standardized abrasion wheel test supports quality assurance in production, material comparison, and performance specifications for various paper products.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting them in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services in accordance with the DIN 53109 standard.