burst strength

Pressure at which a film or sheet (of paper or plastic, for example) will burst. Used as a measure of resistance to rupture, burst strength depends largely on the tensile strength and extensibility of the material. Determined by procedures such as Mullen burst test, it is expressed commonly in pounds per square inch (psi). Burst strength of packaging material used in shipment of merchandise is usually printed on the package. Also called bursting strength. See also stacking strength.