
The standard “DIN 53119-2 Paper tests - Determination of friction - Part 2: Inclined plane method”, published by the German Institute for Standardization (DIN), describes a standardized test method for determining the frictional behavior of paper and paper-based materials. This standard specifies a repeatable laboratory method for measuring static or kinetic friction, among others.

This test is particularly important in industries where paper surface sliding or stacking behavior is critical, including:
High friction prevents stacked papers or boxes from sliding undesirably, while low friction is desirable for smooth feeding in printing presses.
The inclined plane method described in this standard uses a simple but effective gravity-based setup:
Some applications allow for the measurement of kinetic friction by observing the sliding behavior after initiation.
Commercial cardboard box slip testers or paper friction angle testers used in tests are manufactured in accordance with the DIN 53119-2 standard. Common features include:
These devices are frequently used to test printed cartons, beer/soda multi-packs, corrugated boxes, and similar packaging to ensure they won't slide off pallets during transport.
The advantages of the inclined plane approach are as follows:
It complements other friction testing methods (e.g., horizontal tensile methods in DIN 53119-1 standard, if or if this section is present).
In short, the DIN 53119-2 standard defines a method for determining the friction behavior of paper under controlled conditions. This standard is part of the DIN 53119 series of standards relating to paper friction tests.
This standard includes a test procedure for measuring the friction of sheets of paper (paper-to-paper) or paper against another material via an inclined plane (inclined surface). The results are expressed in terms of static and dynamic friction coefficients under defined laboratory conditions.
This method generally follows these steps:
The results are evaluated as follows:
These values help evaluate how the paper will behave in feeding, printing, converting, and packaging processes where surface friction affects performance. The results may not directly represent machine or processing conditions, as industrial effects (e.g., airflow, electrostatic) are more complex and not covered by this simple inclined plane test.
The DIN 53119-2 standard is necessary because friction directly affects the behavior of paper in real-world production and end-use environments. Without a standardized method, paper performance would be unpredictable and difficult to compare. The main reasons why this standard is necessary are as follows:
This standard provides a repeatable method for measuring static and dynamic friction, helping manufacturers ensure that paper runs smoothly on high-speed equipment.
A standardized method ensures that friction values are measured consistently everywhere, eliminating uncertainty between laboratories.
Measuring friction using this standard helps in evaluating the following:
This standard provides:
This creates objective, comparable data.
R&D teams rely on this standard for the following reasons:
In conclusion, the DIN 53119-2 standard provides a standardized method for measuring paper friction via inclined plane technique and produces static and dynamic friction coefficients that support quality control and comparative testing of paper materials in industry.
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 53119-2 standard.
