Responding to requests from distributors and customers to demonstrate the superiority of water-activated tape (WAT) over that of pressure sensitive tape (PST), Better Packages commissioned SGS North America (SGS). SGS is a global, industry-leading testing and verification company. We asked SGS to to define and create test protocols and then conduct independent, multifaceted tests. It was critical for us to engage an outside company to perform the tests to ensure objectivity and accuracy. SGS determined that the most important test criteria were:
SGS’s independent test results are indisputable: WAT demonstrates superior performance in every way for carton sealing.
| TEST | RESULTS |
| Productivity | Carton sealing productivity is 21% higher using a water-activated tape dispenser and WAT vs a hand-held tape gun with PST. |
| Material Usage | The average amount of tape needed to seal a single carton using WAT was 8% less than using PST. |
| Tape Integrity | In each environment tested, (room temperature, cold and tropical) cartons sealed with WAT remained intact and prevented tampering; cartons sealed with PST were not secure and were easily accessed without revealing any signs of tampering. |
| Adhesion Strength | This test was designed to assess how well WAT versus PST adheres, or bonds, to cartons. The test results demonstrated WAT’s noteworthy bonding ability. When the WAT was removed from cartons, it also removed 80% of the carton’s fibers. PST bonded poorly and was easily removed from the carton without showing any evidence of the tape’s removal. |
Below is a more detailed description of the tests and the results.
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Test Objective:
To assess how many cartons can be sealed in a six-hour work day using WAT versus PST.
Test Process:
The top and bottom carton flaps were sealed with a single piece of tape long enough to overlay the side of the carton to secure functionality. WAT had a 3” overhang; PST had a 4” overhang.
Productivity Test Results
| Tape Used | Cartons Sealed in Six Hours | Cartons Sealed Per Hour | Productivity Increase with WAT |
| WAT | 649 | 108.2 | +21% |
| PST | 535 | 89.2 |
Tester’s Conclusions:
Productivity using a water-activated tape dispenser and WAT is 21% higher than using hand-held guns with PST.
A by-product of the productivity test permitted an assessment of the relative amount of tape used sealing a carton using WAT vs PST.
Tape Usage
| Tape Used | Amount of Tape Used Per Carton |
Average Tape Usage |
| WAT | 47.2″ | -8% |
| PST | 51.5″ |
Tester’s Conclusions:
The average tape needed to seal a single carton using WAT was 8% less than using PST.
It’s a fact: By using WAT for carton sealing, the combination of greater worker productivity and less tape used provides business savings of 13.2%. This is why the largest internet shipper in the world switched to using WAT.
Test Objective:
To assess how well WAT and PST perform, when consistent force is applied to the tape and the carton, in various atmospheric conditions.
Test Process:
Take cartons sealed with WAT and those with PST. Use an Instron test machine that employs consistent, compressive force and record the pressure needed to either (1) open the carton along the seal (2) tear the tape or (3) break the carton. Test 10 cartons sealed with WAT and 10 cartons sealed with PST in each of the following atmospheric conditions.
Atmospheric Test Conditions
| Standard Atmosphere | 23° C (73.4° F) Relative Humidity 50% |
| Tropical Atmosphere | 40° C (104° F) Relative Humidity 75% |
| Arctic Atmosphere | -18° C (0.4° F) Humidity less than 10% |
INSTRON TEST EQUIPMENT WITH WAT
Tape Integrity Testing Results
Cardboard Cartons Maximum Force Used in Pounds
| Tape Used | Standard Atmosphere (Room Temperature) |
Tropical Atmosphere | Arctic Atmosphere |
| WAT | 60.16 lbs | 51.15 lbs | 60.31 lbs |
| PST | 16.80 lbs | 12.63 lbs | 14.61 lbs |
Tester’s Conclusions:
Water-Activated Tape:
Using the Instron machine and testing at room temperature, 60 lbs. of pressure was needed to cause the cartons to break. Testers stated that WAT “secures the carton integrity and prevents unnoticed incursions (i.e. tampering) of packed products in all environmental conditions”.
Plastic Tape:
Using the Instron machine and testing at room temperature, the maximum force needed to open the carton was 16.8 lbs. The Testers noted that this force level is easily employed by the average person. The Testers concluded: “PST cannot secure the carton integrity or prevent the package (and its contents) from incursion.”
Test Objective:
To assess how well WAT vs PST adheres to cartons after setting for 5 seconds in one test and after setting for 24 hours in another.
Test Process:
Test 4 cartons sealed with WAT and 4 cartons sealed with PST. Remove the tape by hand from the carton samples.
5 second Test:
The tape was pulled off the carton 5 seconds after adhering. The surface carton material that was pulled off with the tape is measured.
24 Hour Test:
The tape was pulled off the carton 24 hours after adhering. The surface carton material that was pulled off with the tape is measured.
These were pass/fail tests assessing “tackiness” or bonding – a key component of carton tamper-evidence and security.
Adhesiveness Test Results
| Tape Set Time | # of Cartons Tested | Paper Tape | Plastic Tape |
| 5 seconds | 4 | PASS– Pronounced tackiness | FAIL – Insufficient Tackiness |
| 24 hours | 4 | PASS – Removal Causes Paper Failures on the carton in over 80% of the tested area | FAIL – The tape is removed easily, capturing just some cardboard fibers |
Tester’s Conclusions: WAT has a strong adhesiveness to the cardboard carton surface while PST does not.
After the testing was completed, SGS staff stated, “These test results are significant and should lead WAT to be the proper, best method in virtually all carton sealing applications.”
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Materials Used in the Studies
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