Score Cracking:

Causes,
Characteristics,
& Cures
NOW WITH SPECIAL WINTER
& LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS
SECTION
RALPH YOUNG, AICC CORRUGATED TECHNICAL
ADVISOR

Address Phone Email/ Web

AICC, The Independent Packaging Association +703.836.2422 [email protected]
113 S. West Street www.aiccbox.org
PO Box 25708
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 04

CAUSES 05

CHARACTERISTICS

PAPER CHEMISTRY 06

PAPER PHYSICS 06

LENGTH, WIDTH, ENTANGLEMENT, & BONDING 07

MOISTURE & HEAT 08

OTHER FACTORS 08

CURES

CORRUGATING PROCESS CONSIDERATIONS 09

CONVERTING PROCESS CONSIDERATIONS 10

LAMINATION CONSIDERATIONS 11

CONCLUSION 12

TECHNICAL TERMS 13
ADDENDUM: SCORE CRACKING, CONTINUED: WINTER &
14
LOW HUMIDITY CONDITIONS

RESOURCES 17

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 19

 4 / Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures

Introduction
I AM AGAIN FACED WITH THE WOES OF WINTER – ALREADY!

We are converting more and more recycled liner; however, we constantly battle with
cracking. Of course, my guys want to blame the paper. I want to experiment with different
anvils and score heads. I hear some people say going to a softer durometer helps, and
some say changing score profiles help. Do you have any insight regarding this matter?
Are there any tests that I can conduct to eliminate the “paper being too dry” as an
excuse? Do you hear this type of complaint often?

Creasing, cracking, rupture, splitting, and checking all mean the same thing and all
mean trouble when converting corrugated board. These terms and “score cracking”
generally refer to the fibre dislocation on the outside/ printing side/ label side of
corrugated board. Whatever term one uses, it is an issue faced by all converters and
warrants careful attention in quality control processes. Besides containerboard and
the combining processes, this paper will also briefly focus on die cutting and other
finishing operations as contributors to – and possible sources for - cures for – score
cracking and liner rupture.

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 Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures / 5

Causes
HIGHER STRESSES OCCUR ON THE SURFACE FIBRES WHEN A
SHEET IS FOLDED AND THE HIGHER THE BASIS WEIGHT, THE
GREATER THE STRESS.

The bending strains in the outer layers To overcome score cracking,

are directly proportional to the thickness many approaches have been tried,
of the sheet for a given bending radius including the installation of constant
of curvature. Fold cracks are formed temperature and humidity systems,
whenever surface fibres become strained displacement of low grade raw
beyond their yield points. Surface cracks, material by long and strong fibres, or
once formed, flow through the remainder of application of water.
the cross section of the sheet.
Although there are many projects,
Many score cracking issues are not process some dating back to 1974, they all
or moisture related but are indeed caused point to the causes and effects. This
by the containerboard itself. Historically, paper reviews special apparatuses
research papers have pointed to starch to evaluate score cracking, including
surface sizing, use of bleached Kraft top the MIT Folding Endurance Tester
liners, and increased use of recycled liners (TAPPI T511-om2), U.S.D.A. Forest
as complicating this issue. Products Labs, Institute of Paper
Science (now Georgia Tech), and
academic facilities in Europe.

AICC regularly offers Flexographic Fundamentals,

a seminar that discusses score cracking and other
production issues.

Visit AICCbox.org/calendar for more information.

6 / Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures

Characteristics
PAPER CHEMISTRY which acts as a natural paper strength
additive, is mostly lost in pulping. The
first generation of newly pulped wood
In virgin unbleached pulping and paper chips produces virgin, long-length fibre
making a small amount of the natural with many bonding sites that allow the
fibre bonding agent lignin (3% by paper individual fibres to “stick together” both
weight) remains in the final product. physically and chemically. Paper is a
This is evident by the brown hue of viscoelastic material with properties
linerboard. Natural paper strength much like elastic binding or rubber
is obtained by inter-fibre hydrogen bands. It can be stretched and will return
bonding between chemical groups on to its original shape and size unless it is
the cellulose molecules which are the broken or ruptured in the process. This
major component of the paper fibres. is the stretch-to-break value and defines
While virgin fibre mills use paper making how formable the paper is. Paper is also
chemicals in their processes, recycled ductile which means it can form around
mills also use starch and synthetic dry itself up to a point.
strength resins to improve strength
properties that can make the sheets Virgin fibre liners are generally more
brittle. Clay and calcium carbonate fillers pliable than are recycled liners, white
in white top and litho sheets also offer tops or clay coated board. The formability
changes in the finished product during of linerboard is also impacted by the
printing and converting. Filler materials applications of starch coatings and the
improve printing but do not add to freeness value, a measure of the speed
paper strength, nor do they contribute to of liquid water drainage through a pulp
stretch. slurry, of the pulp in the top ply. A low
freeness value means the paper is tight
One of the difficulties in recycling and may contain too many small fine
fibre over and over is what is called particles. Cleaning and screening in the
hornification, where the fibres have repulping process thus become critical
just dried out and will not respond to to producing the best sheet by removing
being reconditioned for containerboard contaminants that negatively affect
manufacturing. strength and appearance.

Score cracking can also be affected by

PAPER PHYSICS high density paper making as well as the
use of recycled fibres. Increased density
Containerboard, as we know it, is a wood- of excess refining can reduce the fibre’s
based product made from cellulose room to flex and bend. The flexibility
fibres just like cotton. Hemicellulose, of the paper surface, its thickness and
 Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures / 7

bending radius, all contribute to the strain

on paper that can lead to cracking.

To the extent that paper properties

are responsible for score cracking, the
key factors are stretch and moisture.
Any factor that reduces paper stretch
will likely increase the propensity for
score cracking. Stretch is a function
of fibre length, width, degree of fibre
entanglement, fibre to fibre bonding and
moisture content.

LENGTH, WIDTH,
ENTANGLEMENT, &
BONDING

Fibre length is related to fibre type.

Virgin Kraft fibres are longer and more
flexible than recycled fibres. Kraft fibres
are usually long fibre softwood, recycled
fibres contain both softwood and
hardwood fibres from medium and mixed
paper waste, and are thus shorter

Longer fibres form webs with more

mechanical entanglement which can
be “pulled out” in stretch mode prior
to failure. Shorter fibres have less
entanglement and reached maximum
elongation sooner and at a lower level of
stretch.

Virgin linerboard (above) and recycled at 65x

magnification illustrate the long- and short-fibre
characteristics of the two liners. Photo courtesy of
National Steel Rule.
8 / Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures

MOISTURE & HEAT Corrugator heat is the factor that is the

most important to corrugated board
moisture content. To maximize moisture
Water in paper, as measured by moisture content at converting and thus reduce
content, acts as a “softening” agent for score cracking it is mandatory to
paper. Virgin Kraft fibres are like straws carefully manage corrugator machine
with a hollow inside. In paper, water is temperatures and to avoid making hot,
contained both inside the fibres and on steaming stacks off the corrugator. Be
the outside. Virgin paper takes longer aware of adding too much moisture at
to lose internal moisture than recycled the showers and preconditioners. With
paper. increasing moisture papers swell, expand
and relax.
Recycled fibres collapse from the original
straw-like shape to a flatter ribbon-like
shape. Recycled fibres lose more and OTHER FACTORS
more internal moisture as they are reused
plus they lose their ability to rehydrate in Use of starch and other dry strength
the repulping process. Further, as paper additives in paper typically results in
is heated it loses moisture. Recycled better strength, but it also results in
paper, when heated, “flashes” the surface inter-fibre bonds with less elasticity. The
water off and can quickly become brittle short bond length formed by the small
if overheated. molecular additives, relative to fibres,
result in strength, but with reduced
Winter plant conditions can become stretch.
detrimental to converting board. When
relative humidity drops below 50% We use the phrase tensile stretch to
-- and it can go to 20% in the plant in describe the ultimate strength that the
winter or in drier climates – normal containerboard sheet (strip) contains
board moisture content (6-8%) can when it is pulled end-to-end, both
drop to as low as 3-4%.1 (This is a major machine direction (MD) and cross
issue for sheet plants that do not have a direction (CD); its elongation (strain) is the
corrugator under roof. If you consider this percent it will stretch until the point of
a significant issue and worthy of another failure. Both these properties should be
white paper please contact us at info@ obtained from your linerboard suppliers,
aiccbox.org) as they are very good predictors of score
cracking potential. The MD/CD strength
High density papers, regardless of the ratios most mills have adjusted over
fibre type, absorb heat faster than lower the years, but MD still has more tensile
density facings. This results in faster strength than CD while the CD has about
moisture loss and greater propensity to twice the elongation to failure as the MD.
exhibit cracking.

1 Under TAPPI testing methodology all labs Paper properties and corrugator
operate at 72 degrees F and 50% relative humidity temperatures are the most important
(RH). Both combined board moistures below 5.8% elements to address to minimize score
and RH below 50% create conditions for score cracking.
cracking.
 Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures / 9

There are approximately 27 companies construction and score profiles have not
that operate over 140 different paper been changed. Dual arch constructions
machines in the North American can be converted without fracturing so it
containerboard system. The average can be done.
chronological age of these machines
is over 40 years, but their technological Consider embracing all the variables
age is just under 25 years. Once again discussed in this paper. As the industry
these are averages and every printer recycles more and more, additional types
and converter should learn as much of fibres, both domestic and foreign,
as possible about the unique paper enter the “recovery” stream making it
properties each paper machine imparts more challenging to produce a uniform
to its products. and consistent linerboard and therefore
combined board sheet for laminating or
Paper making processes include direct converting.
Fourdrinier vs gap formers; single ply
vs dual, or multiple ply; recycled vs

Cures
virgin; and brown vs white. Regardless of
how containerboard is made or its fibre
content, scoring pressure may separate
paper plies.

Traceability of cracking issues must be

specific to a mill and then to an individual CORRUGATING PROCESS
machine. Suppliers can also provide
certificates of analysis comparing actual CONSIDERATIONS
physical properties to agreed-upon
specifications. A plant needs to know any It is desirable to know from the liner
changes that the liner supplier makes to suppliers at what degree or angle a
its processes. There must be open and sheet is likely to crack during combining
constant communication. All participate and converting. There are several test
in the result. methods to predict this stretch-to-break
phenomenon and to know the properties
One should consider becoming a of all the outside sheets purchased.
proponent of the use of heavy weight and
stronger mediums to build cost effective Uneven flute profiles both in the MD and
structural combined board. However, CD directions will contribute to the score
they can add to score cracking if they cracking phenomenon. Thus, depth of
contribute too much rigidity to the board the flutes and maintenance problems

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10 / Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures

such as creasing in the bearings can E/F combinations to make 40-lb and 44-
have an impact. It has been suggested lb ECT grades.
by those who must live with this concern
every day, that just looking at glue line Warm moisture added during the
patterns from a soak tank is not enough corrugating or labeling process will
and that one should view the starch evaporate when the board returns to
application and flute profiles under a ambient conditions. This will cause the
200-power microscope. liner or label stock to shrink and will
introduce internal stresses that may
It’s inherent that the bottom liner/double lead to fracturing or cracking during
face liner/inside liner will be longer finishing. It has been recommended that
than the single face liner because of a combined board moisture should be
the sagging that occurs. We know this between 5.8 to 7.5 percent to reduce this
phenomenon as wash-boarding. The risk. (See note, page 8.)
singleface liner can also sag when there
is too little sizing in the sheet or the
starch is too low in solids and therefore CONVERTING PROCESS
too high in water.
CONSIDERATIONS
The moisture content of the starch and
its application rate are critical. If more There is a difference between rotary and
than 2 lbs/msf are applied at the flute flatbed die cutting. In a perfect world
tips, excess starch may slop over onto each score, crease, and cut would occur
the sides of the flutes. This may add to on the flute tip. Experiments have shown
higher ECT values, but this does make that contact between the flutes and on
the flute tips more rigid and thus they are the walls of the flutes are more likely to
more prone to fracturing. This mechanical cause fracturing.
failure can then transfer through the liner
facings. It has been recommended by the
Technical Association of the Pulp
There are so many options today for flute and Paper Industry (TAPPI) and the
heights, widths, shapes, and number per International Association of Diecutting
foot. A flute profile like the newer T-flute and Diemaking (IADD) technical
with its pyramidal shape with sharper committees that the following be
flute tip and other profiles may reduce considered:
liner cracking tendencies. Also, with the • Be aware of the flute profile and
growth of corrugated replacements caliper of the board coming to the
for conventional paperboard folding converting area.
carton and rigid box applications, perfect • While 4-point crease is typical,
scoring becomes critical. With the rise of 6 and 8 points are available to
more very light weight containerboard distribute pressure over a wider
we are seeing an increase in double wall area.
combinations like D/B,12 E/B, E/E and • Secure the cutting die securely to
the cylinder.
2 With a flute height of 2.3 mm, D flute fills
the gap between B and E flutes.
 Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures / 11

• Make sure the creases are • Check the grain direction of the
notched equal to, or more than, label. Cracking is more evident
the thickness of the plywood. when it runs perpendicular to the
• Make sure the creases are evenly corrugations.
seated to the contour of the For more information about reducing
cylinder. score cracking risk when die-cutting,
• Make sure the creases are including interactive tools to determine
rounded as to remove the sharp matrix measurements and scoring
corners which can pierce and profiles for different board combinations,
begin to fracture the liner. go to the resources provided courtesy
• Consider replacing soft closed of Stafford Cutting Dies, www.gostafford.
cell rubber with cushion crease. com/matrixselector.php.
• Consider using different
durometers of chamfered rubber
profiles next to the crease rules.
LAMINATING
These profiles will limit the CONSIDERATIONS
penetration of the scoring bead
and gently crush the board As a real alternative, litho labels, both
adjacent to the bead, drastically text and cover, were deployed for high
reducing the chance of piercing end graphic image reproductions to
and fracturing along the score meet the needs of the retail market, and
line. This has an advantage for a whole change in the way purchasing
light weight, low caliper single decisions occurred. That’s not to say that
wall board. Check the machine the cracking in the subsurface linerboard
for cylinder parallelism, anvil sheet will not transfer though the lower
concentricity, cylinder oscillation, caliper Coated -one- Side (CIS) label
and anvil firmness. stock.
• If scoring anvils are too “hard,”
investigate replacing them with While not considered starch, other
lower durometer ones. adhesives like dextrin and resins are used
• Make sure all score beads, shore to apply litho labels to singleface and
shoulders and anvils are at the double wall corrugated sheets. Dextrin
same height adhesives are slow-drying, soluble
• Use wider rounded beads rather adhesives that penetrate the paper and
than tapered beads restrict ductability like coatings. Dextrin
• Adjust the scoring pressure, both adhesives crystallize upon drying,
reducing and increasing can putting stress on the back of the label at
make a difference its interface with the fluting or the liner.
• For flatbed die cutting score rule Resin or latex adhesives, on the other
may be too high or not seated hand, dry and adhere to the surface as
properly a pliable film allowing the score to bend
• Change the rubbering. Consider with less likelihood of cracking. Also,
all options in rule, matrix, and there are hybrid glues, both dextrin and
rubbering. resin blends, that are less expensive
12 / Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures

and gentler on the rubber of laminators. labels and linerboard. Domestic long-
The additional costs of these solution fibred litho is likely going to survive the
adhesives are nothing compared to the scoring process better than foreign short
rejection cost of returned boxes and fibred hardwood sheets. Digital, gloss,
disappointed customers. UV and other topcoats can introduce
additional challenges.
So, beside the above, to eliminate
the score cracking of litho laminated Some have said that they prefer to run
products, converters should also the grain of the top sheet across the
consider evaluating the characteristics laminator or in the CD direction. It does
of papers, using the correct scoring rule, make a difference. And it is preferable if
using matrix, using lower flute profiles, the printer identifies the grain direction
maintaining the right moisture content by on each sheet. Rule and channel design
keeping labels in a humidity-controlled should be specific to each flute and
environment, and recycled content of the board caliper.

Conclusion
THIS PAPER HAS ATTEMPTED TO ANALYZE THE PROBLEM OF
LINER FRACTURE AND SCORE CRACKING FROM A NUMBER
OF ANGLES.

First, it looked at paper chemistry and its score cracking problems can be found.
physical properties that can cause paper It is often pointed out that it is usually
to fracture. These chemical structures not just one culprit that causes cracking,
react to the physics of the heat and but several factors working together that
moisture environment in the paper- produce failure; it is extremely difficult
making and corrugating processes. to isolate the root cause. Converters are
Controlling the application of heat and encouraged to work with suppliers at
the introduction of moisture to the board all levels of the converting and finishing
are thus important to solving score process to help identify and solve
cracking problems. problems associated with score cracking.
The resources at the end of this paper are
This paper also looked at the effects of a good starting point.
starch, flute profiles and tooling used in
die cutting as sources where solutions to
 Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures / 13

Technical Terms
Cellulose: An organic insoluble Starch Sizing, internal or surface: Internal
substance in the cell walls of wood fibre sizing is part of the primary papermaking
and vegetable fibres such as cotton. or board-making process where starch
is generally added to the pulp slurry
Freeness: Freeness is a measure of the to increase internal bonding strength
speed of liquid water drainage through a when weaker fibres are added to the
pulp slurry. mixture. Surface sizing has to do with
surface strength and smoothness and is
Hemicellulose: A random amorphous applied to improve printing and image
structure that has little strength yet reproductions. Both these can lead to
occurs in the cell walls of wood fibres score cracking issues, but for different
reasons.
Recycled Fibre: Manufactured from
pre- and post-consumer waste. What Surface Coatings: Clay emulsions, latex
once was predominately created from emulsions, or starch emulsions that can
double lined Kraft clippings then into be flood coated, air sprayed, metered, air
old corrugated cartons, which has two dried, or oven dried. All impact a slightly
quality grades, can now contain various different propensity for liner surface
mixtures of newsprint, mixed office cracking.
waste, paperboards and folding carton
grades. Depending on the recipe they Viscoelastic: Viscoelasticity is the
will crack at different angles and under property of materials that exhibit both
different conditions. viscous and elastic characteristics when
undergoing deformation. Materials with
Refining: A paper making step where this property are able to flow and stretch
the outsides of the fibres are “roughed” and return to their original shape unless
by passing the fibre slurry though two stressed beyond their limits.
grooved plates which generates more
surface area on each fibre and increasing
their bonding affinity for each other.

SEE A FULL GLOSSARY OF PACKAGING TERMS

AT AICCBOX.ORG/GLOSSARY
14 / Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures

Addendum
SCORE CRACKING, CONTINUED: WINTER & LOW HUMIDITY
CONDITIONS

Paper is very water loving (hygroscopic). It absorbs moisture faster than losing
moisture.

As has been explained in in this white paper the individual fibres in the paper web
are held together in a two-part mechanism. One is the actual mechanical or physical
mode where the tendrils of the individual fibres are intertwined with other fibres,
much like Velcro®. The other method is the chemical one where the fibres are
attached to one another with a hydrogen bond (water). As corrugated “dries” out from
decreasing moisture within the sheet the structure becomes more rigid and stiffer.
Thus, when ambient humidity is lower, paper will lose moisture and become more
susceptible to fracturing, or cracking.

HOW HUMIDITY INFLUENCES PAPER

PERFORMANCE

At various relative humidity levels paper holds different percentages of water and will
absorb or give up water until it comes to equilibrium with the existing temperature
of the room. The lower the temperature the less moisture the air will hold and the
containerboards and paperboards also.

Corrugated is best converted at a relative humidity between 45%-60% and near

70 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike litho sheets that can arrive in protective moisture-
controlling plastic wrap, corrugated sheets come into a plant with generally only a
topsheet as protection.

UV and IR curing can greatly reduce the moisture content of the combined board
even lower especially in winter conditions allowing for increased opportunities
for score cracking. Across is a chart listing the equilibrium moisture content in
containerboard at specific relative humidity when the temperature is held constant.
 Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures / 15

TEMPERATURE 70° F. Popil at Georgia Tech’s Renewable

Bioproducts Institute lab in 2008 found
% RELATIVE % MOISTURE very little difference between these fibre
types.
HUMIDITY IN PAPER
100 21.5 Washboarding and warp, caused
by excessively applied starch, can
90 13.5 exasperate the score cracking
phenomenon. If you are buying from a
80 8.9 sheet feeder ask that the sheets rest
on their floor for 4-6 hours so they can
accumulate to the environment before
70 8.4 shipping in cold and frigid conditions. The
sheets can be “shocked” by the freezing
60 6.5 conditions

50 5.6 Machine speed also influences the

propensity for score cracking. At higher
speeds scoring and die cutting are
40 3.4
more likely to produce corrugated
cracking than at slower speeds where
30 2.3 the linerboard is able to “flex” more. With
low humidity conditions it is necessary to
20 1.8 exert more pressure and penetration on
the die, because the corrugated structure
has become more rigid and is less
Paper can reach equilibrium with its flexible than under standard conditions.
surroundings overnight, which means it From a paper physics perspective we
could increase from 4% to 8% overnight would refer to this as the difference in the
if the atmospheric moisture is present stress/strain relationship.
and uniformly distributed throughout the
converting area of the plant. And there Because the amount of the corrugated
is always the debate of the difference displacement is variable depending
between virgin sheets and sheets with on the combined board thickness and
high amount of recovered fibre. And the caliper of the liners and medium,
combined board from “older” roll stock enhanced communications with your die
inventory may convert differently than supplier is essential.
that from more recent inventory. Roman
16 / Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures

RECOMMENDATIONS

Following are recommendations and • Here is what a European die

additional resources for dealing with maker says about scoring: “New
score cracking in winter months. creasing matrices have been
developed specifically dedicated
• If you are both a combining to the corrugated industry. These
and converting operation there are designed to eliminate costly
remains the opportunity to cracking, registration, runnability
move or redirect the moisture and adhesion problems normally
air “off” the corrugator to the associated with creasing. The
converting equipment during the base of the matrix varies by the
winter. This of course requires width of the crease and some
a significant change in HVAC have variable internal chamfers to
ventilation arrangements and use reduce further cracking.”
of monitors. There are machine • Following are processes and
specific/focused/precision recommendations from a leading
humidification systems. This sheet feeder operation to reduce
system may also reduce paper score cracking: “We partner with
dust which is more likely to enter our starch suppliers to help us
the atmosphere when moving with the seasonal changes. Our
sheets across one another goal during winter months to
through the prefeeders. https:// combat score cracking is to drive
www.microcool.com/industrial- our combined board moisture
humidification/manufacturing- up 1-2%. Most recently at one of
humidification.htm#paper. our premier sheet feeders in the
• One rotary flexo manufacturer Midwest, we dropped our total
said the following as a solution percent of solids a little bit, then
to high speed operations and added 15 more pounds of the
reducing score cracking: “We bonding resin to each batch. This
crease the ‘creases’ twice, from allowed for the combined board
both sides simultaneously; that moisture to increase to 8-8.5%.
is to say we have two upper and Obviously, basic corrugated
two mating, lower creaser shafts practices are still required to keep
through which the board travels. from overheating liners, mediums
The first creaser head and its and combined board.”
mate on the bottom of the board,
is a broad head to flatten and
soften the board, the second
creaser head is more pointed
and creates a deep crease, which
helps the score fold and prevents
rolling when the folding occurs.”
 Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures / 17

Resources
Thanks to the following contributors whose work and research have made
this paper possible:
• Dick Lund. Lund Consulting
• Clint Medlock, Stafford Die http://www.gostafford.com/
matrixselector.php
• International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking
• “Preventing Fracturing of the Liner on Corrugated Substrates,” Rick
Putch National Steel Rule
• Joe Morelli and Don Ellis of Huston Patterson,
• Roman Skuratowicz, Ingredion
• Charles Klass, Klass Associates Inc. http://www.tappi.org/content/
events/10EXTRU/papers/2.1.pdf
• “Creasing Behavior of Corrugated Board: An Experimental and
Numerical Approach,” L.B.J. Gooren, 2006
• Prediction of Fold-Cracking Propensity through Physical Testing, Dr.
Roman Popil
• Superior Lithographics, BoxScore, Doug Rawson, July 2009
• Brain Tankersley, Lewisburg Printing Company June 29, 2018
• Dick Target, On Target Consultants, many articles in Corrugated Today
• TAPPI TIP 0304-37, “How to prevent score cracking in a box plant.”
• TAPPI T-511 om 13, Folding Endurance of Paper MIT tester
• http://www.mate.tue.nl/mate/pdfs/7303.pdf C&T Matrix, The
Packaging Portal, June 26, 2018
• www.smartech.gatech.edu

In addition to regular seminars, webinars, meetings, and summits, which

can be found at www.aiccbox.org/calendar, AICC has a growing catalogue
of over 50 free online courses available to all employees at AICC member
companies. Topics include folding carton and corrugated production,
leadership, sales, and much more.

Learn more at www.aiccbox.org/packagingschool.

For a further explanation of terms see The Glossary of Packaging Terms

provided by The Packaging School at aiccbox.org/glossary.
18 / Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures
Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures / 18

Additional References &

Resources
• Iggesund Paperboard, Reference Manual, Handling Paperboard
• Humidity Influences on Creasing Behavior of Corrugated Board: AN
ANALYTICAL, EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL APPROACH by
T.T.H.J. Romans Report MT08.29.
• Tom Weber, AICC Technical Advisor, Paper and Dust Pros
• Mike D’Angelo, AICC Vice President
• Michael J. Kocurek, Professor emeritus, Paper Science & department t
of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University
• Pete Murphy, PM Murphy Manufacturing Consulting, LLC.
• John Lingle and Jay Cook at Schwarz Partners
• Roman Popil, Research Scientist, Georgia Tech’s Renewable
Bioproducts Institute
• John Bacot at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
• Simon Shenton, Managing Director at C&T Matrix
• TAPPI Corrugated Board Technical Committee

In addition to regular seminars, webinars, meetings, and summits, which

can be found at www.aiccbox.org/calendar, AICC has a growing catalogue
of over 50 free online courses available to all employees at AICC member
companies. Topics include folding carton and corrugated production,
leadership, sales, and much more.

Learn more at www.aiccbox.org/packagingschool.

For a further explanation of terms see The Glossary of Packaging Terms

provided by The Packaging School at aiccbox.org/glossary.
 Score Cracking: Causes, Characteristics, & Cures / 19

About the Author

SEE THE LATEST ANSWERS & INFORMATION FROM RALPH
AT AICCEXPERTS.ORG.

RALPH YOUNG
AICC Corrugated Technical Advisor

Ralph Young has spent his entire corporate career in the

forest products industry investing the last 35 years in
the paper and corrugated packaging segment. He has
worked in woodlands, primary manufacturing, sales and
sales management, marketing, business planning and
communications, and three different assignments in product
development. He was there when the industry moved to ECT
from Mullen. His companies have included Champion International,
Georgia-Pacific (Great Southern Paper), International Paper and Mead Containerboard.
He is currently the Principal Member of Alternative Paper Solutions headquartered in
Atlanta, GA. Ask Ralph at: [email protected].

See more at
AICCbox.org/store
 WHEN YOU
INVEST &
ENGAGE,
AICC WILL
DELIVER
SUCCESS.

ACTUAL SALES GROWTH OF AICC MEMBER COMPANIES SINCE 2010.