5.1 For sampling for acceptance of a lot of paper, paperboard, related product, without prior agreement
between buyer and seller, use TAPPI T 400 “Sampling and Accepting a Single Lot of Paper, Paperboard,
Containerboard, or Related Product.”
5.2 For sampling for quality control and other purposes, use accepted and agreed upon company and
laboratory sampling practices.
5.3 Precondition, then condition, the sample in accordance with TAPPI T 402 “Standard Conditioning and
Testing Atmospheres for Paper, Board, Pulp Handsheets, and Related Products” prior to cutting the specimens.
NOTE 5: The exposure of the paper to a high relative humidity before preconditioning and conditioning can lead to erratic results varying
from a decrease in stretch and tensile to a substantial increase (30% increase in stretch not uncommon) in these properties.
Consequently, TEA is similarly affected. Careful protection of the sample from the time of sampling until testing is therefore very
important.
5.4 Cut 10 test specimens from each test unit of the sample in each principal direction of the paper 25 ± 1 mm
(nominally 1.0 in.) wide with sides parallel within 0.1 mm (nominally 0.004 in.) and long enough to be clamped in the
jaws when the test span is 180 ± 5 mm (nominally 7.0 in.), leaving enough length so that any slack can be removed from