NOTICE: This is a DRAFT of a TAPPI Standard in ballot.

Although available for public viewing,

it is still under TAPPI’s copyright and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission of
TAPPI. This draft is NOT a currently published TAPPI Standard.

WI 180808.01

T 580

DRAFT NO. 03 - SARG

DATE October 7, 2020

WORKING GROUP
CHAIRMAN Steve Berg

SUBJECT
CATEGORY Physical Properties

RELATED
METHODS See “Additional Information

CAUTION:
This Test Method may include safety precautions which are believed to be appropriate at the time of publication of the method. The intent of
these is to alert the user of the method to safety issues related to such use. The user is responsible for determining that the safety precautions are
complete and are appropriate to their use of the method, and for ensuring that suitable safety practices have not changed since publication of the
method. This method may require the use, disposal, or both, of chemicals which may present serious health hazards to humans. Procedures for the
handling of such substances are set forth on Material Safety Data Sheets which must be developed by all manufacturers and importers of
potentially hazardous chemicals and maintained by all distributors of potentially hazardous chemicals. Prior to the use of this method, the user
must determine whether any of the chemicals to be used or disposed of are potentially hazardous and, if so, must follow strictly the procedures
specified by both the manufacturer, as well as local, state, and federal authorities for safe use and disposal of these chemicals.

Thickness (caliper) of towel, tissue, napkin and facial

products
(Revision and upgrade to Official Method of T 580 pm-12)
(no changes from Draft 2; editorial corrections incorporated)

1. Scope

1.1 This method describes the procedure for measuring bulking thickness and variations in tissue paper
and tissue products.
1.2 This test method uses a relatively low pressure 2 kPa (0.3 psi) because of the collapsible structure of
tissue paper. TAPPI T 411 “Thickness (caliper) of paper, paperboard, and combined board” uses a relatively high
pressure 50 kPa (7.3 psi).
1.3 An essentially identical method is described in ISO 12625-3 “Tissue paper and tissue products -- Part
3: Determination of thickness, bulking thickness and apparent bulk density.”

Approved by the Standard Specific Interest Group for this Test Method
TAPPI
T 580 pm-12 Thickness (caliper) of towel, tissue, / 2
napkin and facial products

2. Summary

The method involves measuring the thickness of a sheet or ply of tissue paper/product by the use of an
automatically operated micrometer when a specified static load is applied for a specific time.

3. Significance

3.1 Thickness is an important property of tissue paper/products.

3.2 The thickness of tissue paper will determine end product properties such as stack height for folded
products and roll diameter/firmness for rolled products.
3.3 Thickness is also important to the end consumer. Thick products are perceived to be stronger and more
absorbent and of value to consumers.

4. Definition

Thickness or caliper of tissue paper/products as measured by this method is defined as the perpendicular
distance between two principal surfaces of a sheet or ply of tissue paper under prescribed conditions, as measured
between metal platens. This should not be confused with “apparent thickness,” which is calculated from basis weight
and bulking thickness, (typical units are grams per cubic centimeter).

5. Apparatus

5.1 Automatically-operated micrometer, a dead-weight type instrument, provided with:

5.1.1 A flat ground circular movable face (hereafter called the pressure foot), having an area of 10.0 cm2
(1.5 in. 2) and corresponding diameter of 35.7 ± 0.1 mm (1.40 ± 0.04 in).
5.1.2 A flat, ground, circular, fixed face (hereafter called the anvil) of such size that it is in contact with the
whole area of the pressure foot in the zero position. In practice, the anvil should have minimum dimensions 20% larger
than the pressure foot.
5.1.3 Surfaces of the pressure foot and anvil shall be parallel within 0.003 mm (0.00013 in.). The pressure
foot movement shall be on an axis perpendicular to the anvil. The opening between the pressure foot and the anvil is
set by agreement between the instrument supplier and the customer. For most measurements, an instrument with an
opening of 2 mm to 3 mm (0.08 in. to 0.12 in.) is sufficient.
5.1.4 Pressure foot lowering speed of 2.0 ± 0.2 mm/s (0.08 in./s).
5.1.5 Pressure foot, when lowered, exerting steady pressure of 2.0 ± 0.1 kPa (approximately 0.3 psi) for 2 ±
1 s.
5.1.6 The instrument read-out/scale shall be graduated in increments of 0.001 mm (0.00004 in.).
3 / Thickness (caliper) of towel, tissue, T580 pm-12
napkin and facial products

5.1.7 The accuracy of measurements is dependent upon the range of thickness being measured. The accuracy
of the instrument readings should be within 0.25% of the thickness test range.

6. Calibration

6.1 Accuracy of dial indications. Use standard steel gauge blocks whose thickness is known to within
0.0005 mm (0.00002 in.). Use gauge blocks corresponding to approximately 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 90% of the
full-scale reading of the micrometer. Prepare a calibration curve or table if necessary.
6.2 Digital instruments capable of greater accuracy may require standard steel gauge blocks accurate to
within 0.00025 mm (0.00001 in.) or better.
6.3 Parallelism of the faces. Use a uniform diameter wire of any size up to half the operational opening
of the faces, e.g., 0.05 mm (0.20 in.) diameter. Place the wire alternately on the left side, right side, front side, and
back side approximately 3 mm (0.125 in) from each respective edge of the foot and note the readings. Adjust anvil so
that all readings are within 0.003 mm (0.00013 in.) of one another. A thickness gauge may be used if a uniform wire
is not available.
6.4 Pressure between the faces. Within the normal thickness measuring range, measure the pressure
exerted by the deadweight mechanism. The pressure foot on the anvil shall be 2 ± 0.1 kPa. Verify with any suitable
means.

7. Sampling

Obtain a sample in accordance with TAPPI T 400 “Sampling and Accepting a Single Lot of Paper, Paperboard,
Containerboard, or Related Product.”

8. Test specimens

8.1 Select each test piece so that it is free from perforations and faults not normally inherent in the tissue.
8.2 Cut test pieces to have a minimum dimension of 80 mm (3 in.) in any direction. Cut large test pieces
to a reasonable size using scissors, a suitable cutting board, or die press. During this operation, the test pieces shall
not be subject to pressure that could alter the thickness measurement.
8.3 Single-ply thickness. From each test unit of the sample, cut ten specimens, each specimen consisting
of one ply of tissue. Take samples either directly from the tissue machine, or if practicable, from individual plies of a
multi-ply product, sampled during or after the converting process. In the latter cases, take care to identify the location
of individual plies in the product. Do not attempt to separate plies that are bonded with adhesive or pressure.
8.4 Single-sheet thickness. Prepare ten test specimens from a single- or multi-ply product sampled during
or after the converting process.
T 580 pm-12 Thickness (caliper) of towel, tissue, / 4
napkin and facial products

9. Conditioning

Precondition, condition and test all specimens in atmospheres controlled in accordance with TAPPI T 402
“Standard Conditioning and Testing Atmospheres for Paper, Board, Pulp Handsheets, and Related Products.”

10. Procedure

10.1 Before using the micrometer, make sure the pressure foot and anvil surfaces are clean, the calibration
of the instrument has been verified and a calibration curve has been prepared, if necessary, and the instrument is
mounted on a solid level surface free from noticeable vibration.
10.2 Allow the instrument to “warm-up” according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
10.3 Place the specimen on the anvil so that all points on the peripheries of the contact surfaces are at least
6 mm (approximately 0.25 in.) from the edges of the specimen.
10.4 Measure the thickness of ten specimens. Between successive readings, make sure that the working
faces remain free from dust.

11. Report

11.1 Report the TAPPI method, the date and place of testing, the tester’s name and reference to the
micrometer used. Report all details necessary to identify the material tested. Report the type of test; single-ply, or
single-sheet thickness. For single-sheet tests, report the number of plies.
11.2 For each test unit of the sample, report the overall average of the 10 readings in millimeters (or inches)
to the nearest 0.001 mm or in inches to the nearest 0.00004 in.) Also report the minimum, maximum and standard
deviation for each sample set.

12. Precision

12.1 Repeatability (within a laboratory)

Facial Tissue 3.93%
Bath Tissue 1.58%
Kitchen Towel 1.43%
12.2 Reproducibility (between laboratories)
Facial Tissue 13.32%
Bath Tissue 4.97%
Kitchen Towel 5.08%
5 / Thickness (caliper) of towel, tissue, T580 pm-12
napkin and facial products

Repeatability and reproducibility are estimates of the maximum difference (at 95% confidence) that should be
expected when comparing test results for materials similar to those described below under similar test conditions.
These estimates may not be valid for different materials and testing conditions.

12.3 The precision estimates of repeatability and reproducibility are based on data from six different
samples with 30 specimens per sample. One measurement per specimen for a total of 30 measurements for each
sample type. Six laboratories were included in the facial tissue calculations and seven laboratories were included in
the bath and kitchen towel calculations.

Units in mils
r R
Grand TAPPI %r TAPPI %R
Material Sample Mean Repeatability Repeatability Reproducibility Reproducibility
01 10.19 0.526 5.16% 1.251 12.27%
Facial
Tissue 02 6.84 0.185 2.70% 0.983 14.37%
01 19.31 0.177 0.92% 0.788 4.08%
Bath Tissue 02 22.51 0.503 2.23% 1.321 5.87%

01 40.43 0.417 1.03% 2.121 5.25%

Kitchen
Towel 02 33.03 0.606 1.84% 1.626 4.92%

13. Additional information

13.1 Effective date of issue: To be assigned.

13.2 The thickness determined by this method cannot be used reliably to determine lineal footage or weight
of a given diameter roll. This test specifies a compressive force of approximately 0.3 psi. Winders often develop
compressive forces much higher than 0.3 psi. Tissue paper and products are usually highly compressible under force
and consequently the calculation of footage or weight will not be accurate.

14. Keywords

Toweling papers, Tissue papers, Facial tissues, Napkin papers, Thickness

T 580 pm-12 Thickness (caliper) of towel, tissue, / 6
napkin and facial products

Appendix A.

A.1 To support the need for this procedure several different micrometers were used to measure the
thickness of bond paper versus some kitchen towel product. Five different micrometers were employed. The
micrometers differed mostly in the pressure applied to the material. The micrometers ranged in pressure from 0.7 psi
to 7 psi. Table 1 shows the results from these measurements.
7 / Thickness (caliper) of towel, tissue, T580 pm-12
napkin and facial products

Table 1. Micrometer measurements.

Ordinary Copier Paper - 75 gsm

Micrometer pressure 0.066 psi 0.21 psi 0.29 psi 0.52 psi 7.25 psi
0.4 kPa 1.4 kPa 2 kPa 3.6 kPa 50 kPa
4.0 4.1 4.0 3.9 4.1
4.0 4.0 4.0 3.9 4.0
4.1 4.1 4.1 3.9 4.0
4.1 4.0 4.1 4.0 4.0
4.1 4.0 4.1 4.0 3.9
4.1 4.2 4.1 3.9 4.1
3.9 4.1 4.1 3.9 4.1
3.9 4.2 3.9 4.0 4.0
4.2 4.1 3.9 3.9 4.0
4.1 4.0 4.2 4.1 4.0

Average 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.0 4.0

Standard deviation 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Ordinary Kitchen Towel Product - 50 gsm

Micrometer pressure 0.066 psi 0.21 psi 0.29 psi 0.52 psi 7.25 psi
0.4 kPa 1.4 kPa 2 kPa 3.6 kPa 50 kPa
28.8 24.0 20.4 18.6 6.7
28.8 23.5 21.3 20.2 6.7
26.5 20.0 21.3 18.1 6.6
29.0 23.0 21.9 17.5 6.8
29.5 20.8 22.1 15.6 6.5
29.8 22.8 21.8 20.7 6.4
28.2 20.2 22.5 18.2 6.6
27.4 21.0 22.7 20.1 6.5
26.7 21.4 22.4 18.4 6.5
27.7 22.2 22.1 21.1 6.6

Average 28.2 21.9 21.9 18.9 6.6

Standard deviation 1.1 1.4 0.7 1.7 0.1
T 580 pm-12 Thickness (caliper) of towel, tissue, / 8
napkin and facial products

A.2 Clearly the use of TAPPI T 411 using a 50 kPa pressure is not appropriate for measuring the caliper
of compressible tissue products.

Your comments and suggestions on this procedure are earnestly requested and should be sent to the TAPPI Standards
Department. 