Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
D4369-92 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
🧻 Scope, Classification, and Material Composition
This specification, designated ASTM D4369 – 92, outlines the requirements for boxed facial tissues intended for industrial and institutional purchasers, such as government agencies, school boards, and industrial facilities. It covers a wide range of material sources, including virgin, recycled, and recycled content paper products, allowing flexibility for diverse procurement needs and environmental goals.
Facial tissues covered under this specification are broadly classified by their fold style, which dictates the dispensing method:
- “C” Folded: Designed for large opening boxes where the user reaches into the box to extract the tissue.
- Interfolded: Designed for slot opening boxes to facilitate “pop-up” action, where pulling one tissue partially exposes the next.
The chemical composition, specifically the fiber content and recycled fiber content, is not rigidly fixed by the standard but must be formally agreed upon between the buyer and the seller during the ordering process. All terminology related to paper products should be in accordance with ASTM D 1968 and the Dictionary of Paper.
💡 Conditioning is Crucial: Before conducting any physical tests on the tissue samples, they must be conditioned in accordance with Practice D 685 or TAPPI T 402. The standard atmosphere of 50 ± 2% relative humidity and 23 ± 1°C is vital for obtaining reproducible and comparable test results for paper properties.
📐 Physical Properties and Dimensional Requirements
The standard mandates specific physical and dimensional properties to ensure product consistency. Workmanship requires the tissue to be free from holes, tears, wrinkles, and foreign materials, with clearly cut, non-ragged edges. The average value of each characteristic must meet the requirements defined in the standard tables.
| 🟦 Property | 📏 Unit | 🎯 Typical Requirement (1-Ply) | 🎯 Typical Requirement (2-Ply) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet Length | in. (mm) | 8.0 (203) | 8.5 (216) |
| Sheet Width | in. (mm) | 8.0 (203) | 8.5 (216) |
| Grammage (Basis Weight) | lb/3000 ft² (g/m²) | 17 – 19 (27.7 – 31.0) | 23 – 26 (37.5 – 42.4) |
Mechanical and optical properties are validated through specific ASTM and TAPPI test methods to assure the tissue meets the durability and functionality requirements of the institutional user.
| ⚙️ Property | 📐 Test Method | ⚡ Requirement (Min/Avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (Machine Direction) | ASTM D 828 / TAPPI T 494 | 6.0 lbf/in. (1050 N/m) |
| Tensile Strength (Cross Direction) | ASTM D 828 / TAPPI T 494 | 3.5 lbf/in. (613 N/m) |
| Water Absorption (Drop Test) | ASTM D 824 / TAPPI T 432 | Less than 5 seconds |
| Brightness | TAPPI T 452 | As agreed upon |
⚠️ Brightness and Defect Levels: While the standard provides strict limits for tensile strength and dimensional properties, the acceptable quality levels (AQL) for defects and the specific brightness level of the tissue are not hard-coded as fixed values. These characteristics must be explicitly specified and formally agreed upon between the buyer and the seller at the time of the order.
📋 Ordering Information and Testing Protocols
To ensure full compliance with ASTM D4369 – 92, orders for boxed facial tissue must explicitly specify the following parameters: size (sheet dimensions and box count), fold type (“C” or Interfolded), color, and box count. The specification references a comprehensive suite of ASTM and TAPPI test methods for validating product quality, including grammage (D 646), tensile properties (D 828), and water absorbency (D 824).
The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. Neither system is an exact equivalent, and mixing units is not permitted without clear agreement. The standard includes a safety caveat, reminding users to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to performing the tests in Section 9.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What is the difference between “C” folded and Interfolded facial tissue?
“C” folded tissues are stacked in a simple fold for extraction from a large-opening box. Interfolded tissues overlap each other; when one is pulled from a slot-opening box, the next tissue is automatically partially drawn up for convenient “pop-up” dispensing.
💡 Does this standard cover sustainable or recycled content tissues?
Yes. Section 1.2 explicitly states the specification covers virgin, recycled, and recycled content paper products. The specific percentage of recycled fiber utilized is typically agreed upon between the buyer and seller, as detailed in Section 6.1.
⚡ What are the key test methods required for this specification?
The standard requires testing for grammage (ASTM D 646), tensile properties (ASTM D 828 / TAPPI T 494), water absorption (ASTM D 824 / TAPPI T 432), and brightness (TAPPI T 452). Conditioning of all specimens must follow Practice D 685 or TAPPI T 402.
📌 Are the tissue dimensions strictly fixed in the standard?
No. While Table 1 and Table 2 in the standard provide dimensional and physical property requirements, the exact sheet size and box count are considered ordering information (Section 5.1). The buyer and seller must formally agree upon the final product dimensions.