Top-Load

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Top-load testing (also known as 'column-crush' and 'axial force resistance') is performed mainly on blow moulded, thermoformed or injection moulded plastic containers. It measures the compressive strength of such containers to ensure they do not deform or break when subjected to axial forces during the processes of filling, closure, storage and transport.

There is an ever-increasing pressure to reduce the weight of plastics being used in packaging, but without compromising on strength and performance.

Top-load testing provides a standard method of obtaining data to set acceptance or rejection specifications for quality control, research and development and special designs.

It involves compressing filled or empty containers at a fixed speed until they yield at failure or deflect by a pre-set value. The maximum load applied is then recorded and compared against pass/fail criteria. When testing empty containers it is essential to allow air to be released from the container otherwise the accuracy and precision of measurements is adversely affected.

Top-load testers provide a reliable and accurate solution for meeting design standards and are often sited close to filling lines in production or nearby in the QC laboratory. They may also be applied for testing aluminium and steel cans, large cardboard boxes and plastic or metal drums.

Other variants of the top-load test include: Box crush (BCT), Edge crush (ECT), Ring crush (RCT).

Standards

Featured or equivalent test standards for Mecmesin solutions in this section

Test types

Further or specific test types in this section

top-load (column) crush

Term Video

Top-load testing PET bottles

Case study

ISBT PTC-00002

VersaTest and AFG top-load testing in the QC lab

Top-load Testing of Plant-based PLA Material Bottles

Case study

Compressive loading of stacked PLA bottles to measure column strength against traditional materials using Excel tabulated output data

Vial stopper needle penetrability residual seal force and torque testing

Case study

ISO 8362-7

Injectable elastomeric stopper components and penetration test

PET preforms - repurposing production for COVID-19 test kits

Case study

ASTM D2659

Vaccine delivery device and packaging testing

Case study

Illustration of tests on vaccine delivery devices

Top-load crush test of plastic bottles

Case study

Silgan Plastics has utilised the Mecmesin tester in several of our plants over the last two years to monitor top-load. It brings a wealth of features at a very competitive price. We pride ourselves on being the forefront of container performance and capability and the 5-x top-load tester is a valued piece of our strategy.

Randy Blankenship, Quality Engineer
Silgan Plastics

ASTM D2659

Top-load plastic bottle test in factory by semi-automated process

Ice cream packaging closure and integrity testing

Case study

Ice cream carton lid sealing force test and graphical results

The Mecmesin MultiTest 1-x enables us to ensure the consistently high manufacturing quality of our PET bottles. The system conveniently allows us to perform top-load testing and confirm free height and integrates easily with our data collection system, increasing our analytical efficiency. I would have no hesitation in recommending this first rate instrument.

John Gilroy, Quality Manager
Esterform Packaging Ltd

Case study

MultiTest-dV compression tester and close-up of top-load crush test with a vented plate fixture

The Mecmesin team was very flexible and easy to work with, showing a positive `can-do’ attitude for designing tests outside the normal scope of work. Through their advanced testing equipment, Mecmesin was able to accurately identify core performance differences between resins and provide an accurate measure of bottle strength metrics. As a result of the testing, we are able to appropriately select raw materials to suit each market, which allows us to accurately control packing, loading and supply of our products.

Sandy Nielson, Founding Director
BioPak

Case study

Single plastic bottle under buckling loads with comparative VectorPro graphical results

Vial stopper needle penetrability residual seal force and torque testing

Case study

PET preforms - repurposing production for COVID-19 test kits

Case study

Vaccine delivery device and packaging testing

Case study

Top-load crush test of plastic bottles

Silgan Plastics has utilised the Mecmesin tester in several of our plants over the last two years to monitor top-load. It brings a wealth of features at a very competitive price. We pride ourselves on being the forefront of container performance and capability and the 5-x top-load tester is a valued piece of our strategy.

Randy Blankenship, Quality Engineer
Silgan Plastics

Case study

Ice cream packaging closure and integrity testing

Case study

Ice cream and food carton integrity testing fixtures

Top-load testing PET bottles

Top-load Testing of Plant-based PLA Material Bottles

Vial stopper needle penetrability residual seal force and torque testing

PET preforms - repurposing production for COVID-19 test kits

Vaccine delivery device and packaging testing

Top-load crush test of plastic bottles

Ice cream packaging closure and integrity testing

Online demonstrations and training available from Mecmesin technical sales engineers

Online test equipment and training demos

As more people are working from home to reduce non-essential travel, our technical sales engineers can provide online equipment demos or training sessions via web-based video calls.

If possible, send in your own samples and our sales team will be able to present your own products being tested.

Get in touch to discuss your requirements and to arrange an online demo or training session.