2023-04-18
Everything you need to know about corrugated packaging
Corrugated box is a form of container board that is made up of three individual sheets. It's a disposable container with three layers of material (inside, outside, and in between) for its walls. You can double up on corrugated sheets for further security by using a combination of fluting grades. Standard corrugated boxes are the most popular choice for shipping due to their low cost and high level of protection. Since corrugated boxes are inexpensive, lightweight, and recyclable, they are used for the shipment of 95% of all products in the United States.
Table of Contents
Is Corrugated The Same As Cardboard?
| Differentiating Characteristics | Cardboard | Corrugated |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Cardboard is thicker than paper stock or pulp. | Corrugated is biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable. |
| Customizability | Regular cardboard is a means to an end. Regular cardboard is useful, but not for heavy demanding uses. | Corrugated is created for the end user. Corrugated is infinitely customizable. |
| Flexibility | The container's lightweight ruffled inner covering is strong and flexible. | To match corrugation's strength, you'd need considerably heavier cardboard, which isn't possible or affordable. |
| Light-weightiness | Cardboard is generally lighter. | Corrugated is tougher at the same weight. |
Types of Liner
Kraft Liners
Kraft liners include 70–80% virgin chemical pulp fiber. They are stiff, sturdy, and finished. Some Kraft liners use birch and other hard wood pulp, while most use soft wood pulp.
Test Liners
Due to their recycled fiber component, test liners are weaker than Kraft liners.
Chip Liners
Chip liners are uncommon. They are low-quality since they are created from unregulated recycled materials. They perform worse than other liners.
Flute Grades
A Flute : The largest flute is the 1/4′′ A-Flute (33 flutes per linear foot).
B Flute : 1/8′′ B-Flute has 47 flutes per linear foot. A-flutes are significantly thicker.
C Flute: C-Flute is 3/16" (39 flutes per linear foot).
E Flute: E-Flute (90 flutes per linear foot) is 1/16′′ thin.
F-Flute: F-Flute is 1/32′′ thick and has 125 flutes per linear foot.
Quality Control Tests
Edge Crush Test (ECT)
It assesses box stacking strength, which can indicate pallet shipment durability.
Bursting Test (Mullen)
Bursting tests corrugated cardboard's breaking force. This test evaluates a box's transportation protection.
Crush test (FCT)
Flat Crush tests corrugated paperboard's flute crushing resistance. This determines safe box printing pressure.
Adsorption Test (COBB)
Water Absorption Tests show corrugated fiberboard absorbs water.
Box maker Certificate
Certification Test tool
Mullen Test: It measures box wall strength. This force is needed to break a box wall (hence its other name, the burst test). This is especially useful if a Mullen-rated shipment contains loose or odd-shaped goods.
Benefits of corrugated packaging
- Packaging can withstand regular handling and shipment since the cushion and board absorb shock.
- Sustainability has increased in packaging. Recycled paper makes corrugated packaging. Because they're recyclable, they're better for green packaging.
- Artwork and surface printing are possible, and the product can be shaped and thickened.
- From packaging to loading to unloading, corrugated board is lightweight and easy to handle.
- Corrugated packaging is useful in e-commerce.
- Corrugated packaging benefits online businesses greatly.
- Online shopping has increased need for corrugated packaging to protect products.
- Corrugated packaging's many printing options help businesses stand out in consumers' mail rooms.
- Corrugated boxes, used as transportation containers, are made from cheap, abundant materials.