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What are Corrugated Boxes?

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Author: Amit B Sharma

We have all seen them but do not know what they are called. The cardboard boxes with a wavy layer (called "fluting") sandwiched in between two thin outer layers are called corrugated boxes, and are heavily used in shipping as a reliable and protective packaging material.

We have all seen them but do not know what they are called. The cardboard boxes with a wavy layer (called “fluting”) sandwiched in between two thin outer layers are called corrugated boxes, and are heavily used in shipping as a reliable and protective packaging material.

Cardboard as a packaging material has been in use for over two centuries. Corrugated cardboard first made its appearance a hundred years ago when it was approved as a shipping material for cereals. Since then, it has become the preferred packing material for a vast range of goods and materials. These include liquid, granular, loose, and hazardous materials. What makes corrugated boxes so popular with the packing and crating industry? Corrugated cardboard has -

Durability Lightness Adaptability Strength Visual appeal Cost-effectiveness Recyclability

Boxes made from corrugated cardboard material offer structural rigidity with good cushioning ability. This allows them to be used even for heavy and fragile goods.

It is possible to customize corrugated cardboard to yield a variety of packing boxes. The features that can be altered and modulated include board types, flute sizes, weight, adhesives, treatment, and coatings which include flame-retardant and static-control protection.

The adaptability of corrugated boxes makes them much easier to handle. It can be cut and folded into a range of shapes and sizes, and made to look graphically appealing with direct printing using techniques like lithography, flexography, etc.

The material also lends itself to uses other than packing. These include affordable and recyclable pallets, bulk bins, and castles made by children.

As a shipping material, corrugated boxes have good tear, tensile and burst strength that make them ideal for long journeys. Forces emanating from impact, drop and vibration are effectively controlled with good weight distribution.