Packaging with Coroplast

Technical Bulletin - CSS-004-93

Coroplast strength and durability have no direct relationship to corrugated fiberboard.

The figures provided are offered as a guide and may vary with resin batch and production quality of the finished container.

The USAF has established a specification MIL-P-83668 (USAF) for plastic corrugated packaging applications.

Stacking

Actual stacking loads on corrugated fiberboard cases are normally recommended to be the compression strength divided by a factor of 1.5 to 4.5, depending on the intended storage conditions. Tests on Coroplast would indicate that a factor of 2.5 - 3.5 will probably be adequate over normal temperature ranges.

Extreme high temperatures will certainly have a negative effect on the stacking strength of Coroplast boxes while very cool temperatures will increase the strength. Humidity will not cause any change in Coroplast performance.

With corrugated fiberboard, the drop off in strength as humidity increases is dramatic.

A major performance test series has not yet been performed on Coroplast boxes. Some independent preliminary test results are offered as a point of reference.

Compression of Other Weights/ Densities of Coroplast 10"x10"x10" Taped RSC

Thickness	Weight	Compression Average of 6
4.0 mm	600gm//m(2nd power) Black	496 lb sq. in.
4.0 mm	775gm//m(2nd power) Natural	598 lb sq. in.
4.0 mm	800gm//m(2nd power) White	786 lb sq. in.
4.0 mm	800gm//m(2nd power) Natural	694 lb sq. in.
4.0 mm	1000gm//m(2nd power) Natural	1040 lb sq. in.
5.0 mm	1000gm//m(2nd power) Natural	1272 lb sq. in.
5.0 mm	1000gm//m(2nd power) Blue	1567 lb sq. in.

Rough Handling

The rough handling characteristic of Coroplast compare well against fiberboard. Tests have shown that Coroplast has significantly higher burst, puncture, and edge and flat crush properties that B flute fiberboard.

Bursting Strength

Coroplast will not burst on the Mullen Tester.

Puncture

Test show puncture (Beach Impact) 3-4 times higher than corrugated fiberboard of similar stacking ability.

Impact Strength - lbs/sq.in.

Degrees F	2.0mm/ 400gm	4.0mm/ 700gm	4.0mm/ 775gm	5.0mm/ 1000gm
74	5302	90.7	97.9	126.5
32	5.0	88.5	100.3	129.4
-4	37.8	62.7	69.4	89.6

Cushioning

Cushioning test show that prior to complete crushing of the Coroplast flutes, the peak decelerations are in the range of 150-400 gms. The acceleration time pulses show that even when fully crushed on the preceding crop, the Coroplast fluting still resists subsequent compression and provides cushioning Coroplast is less easily compressed under both static and dynamic conditions than fiberboard. A higher stress is needed to crush the flutes and a higher energy is absorbed. This would indicate that Coroplast will cushion slightly heavier weights from higher drops.

Test Comparing

10"x10"x10"x R.S.C.-- Plastic Tape Joint

Standard conditioning for 24 hours.

Fiberboard
Coroplast