A Comparative study of the compression strength of corrugated shipping containers and corrugated board, based on different corrugation directions

This study evaluates compression damage to corrugated shipping containers used in the small parcel delivery system. A client is experiencing an unacceptable level of end-to-end compression resistance during shipment through small parcel companies, while never experiencing any top-to-bottom compression damage. According to small parcel company workers, there is a need for more end-to-end compression strength in corrugated shipping containers. This study examines the effect of corrugation direction on corrugated shipping containers and corrugated board. Box compression testing (BCT) is performed on regular-slotted containers with different corrugation directions. Edgewise compression testing (ECT) is also used in comparing the compression strengths of sample corrugated boards with various corrugation directions. ECT and BCT values directly relate to the compression resistant properties of corrugated containers and board. The results of the tests show that compression strength increases less as corrugation becomes more perpendicular to the applied force. By altering the corrugation direction, the end-to-end compression strength can be increased at a higher percentage rate than the top-to-bottom compression strength is reduced