| Cap Size (mm) | Application Torque Range inch pounds (in.lb) |
Removal Torque Range inch pounds (in.lb) |
| 8 | 5 | 2-3 |
| 10 | 6 | 2.4-3.6 |
| 13 | 8 | 3.2-4.8 |
| 15 | 5-9 | 2-5.4 |
| 18 | 7-10 | 2.8-6 |
| 20 | 8-12 | 3.2-7.2 |
| 22 | 9-14 | 3.6-8.4 |
| 24 | 10-18 | 4-10.8 |
| 28 | 12-21 | 4.8-12.6 |
| 33 | 15-25 | 6-15 |
| 38 | 17-26 | 6.8-15.6 |
| 43 | 17-27 | 6.8-16.2 |
| 48 | 19-30 | 7.6-18 |
| 53 | 21-36 | 8.4-21.6 |
| 58 | 23-40 | 9.2-24 |
| 63 | 24-43 | 10-25.8 |
| 70 | 28-50 | 11.2-30 |
| 83 | 32-60 | 12.8-36 |
| 89 | 40-70 | 16-42 |
| 110 | 45-70 | 18-42 |
A closure is considered to be properly sealed when the contents of the container cannot leak out, and contaminants cannot get in. Also, the cap should not be too difficult for the user to open.
There are two measures of closure torque: application torque and removal torque.
Since application torque cannot be measured directly on any automatic capping machines; the only way to tell if a screw cap was applied correctly is to measure the removal torque. Generally, removal torque should be between 40-60% of the application torque.
Ideally, removal torque should be measured ≈24 hours after capping (this will allow for ‘Back off’).
Over-tightening of the cap (excessive torque) can cause the cap to shear from the body, thread "jumping", or stripping, or even cracking the closure.
Closures that are screwed on too loose, with insufficient torque, can lead to closure "rattling" and product leakage.
Measurement Values:
Our chart opposite is using traditional industry Imperial values, inch pounds (in-lb).
The Metric value for small range torque settings is, kilogram force centimetres (kgf.cm).
Conversion if required:
1 kgf.cm = 0.86796 in.lb