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    Corrugated board know-how

    What is corrugated cardboard? When is corrugated board most stable and what do the different types of corrugations mean? This is where you can expand your corrugated board knowledge.

    Corrugated cardboard – the material from which packaging is made

    Have you ever dreamed of waves? Our packaging experts at Model often feel the same way. Not from rushing masses of water in a warm holiday country – but from flowing paper that combines in several layers to form incredibly stable corrugated cardboard.

    To help you get to know corrugated cardboard as a raw material, we have gathered our concentrated expert knowledge for you. Here you can read:

     

    • Types of shafts and their advantages

    • Shaft Combinations

    • the technical values of corrugated board

    • the secrets of different types of corrugated cardboard


    You probably use the fascinating material corrugated cardboard almost every day. With your new corrugated board knowledge, you are guaranteed to make good packaging decisions in the future – for example, when choosing your moving or shipping boxes.

    All about corrugated cardboard

    1-wavy

    The corrugated board consists of an outer cover, the corrugated track and an inner ceiling.

    2-wave

    The corrugated board consists of two corrugated sheets glued together on one side, laminated with a blanket paper.

    3-wavy

    The corrugated board consists of three corrugated sheets glued together on one side, laminated with a blanket paper.

    The advantages of corrugated board

    Paper, air, glue. These ingredients ensure the stable lightweight construction of the corrugated board. Several layers of corrugated paper are glued to one or between several layers of another paper or cardboard.

    Why is corrugated cardboard so strong? This is due to the shape and arrangement of the wave. It cushions against loads from the outside and inside, as the pressure is evenly distributed over the surface of the entire corrugated board. This stable construction also exists in nature, for example in wasp nests. By the way, you can find all the important corrugated board terms in our lexicon:

    The corrugated board in detail

    Easy to Heavy

    Corrugated cardboard for various products

    Corrugated cardboard can be flexibly adapted to the weight of your packaged goods. Whether light or heavy products – with the right type of flute, you can pack and ship almost anything.

     

    1-wavy: Suitable for lightweight, shatterproof products

    2-wave: Suitable for heavy or fragile products

    3-wave: Suitable for very heavy or very fragile products

    Medium, fine & micro

    The types of waves

    Wave height and wave pitch determine the type of wave. The smaller the pitch and height of the corrugated board, the lower the stackability and buffering effect of the corrugated board. However, the printability of corrugated cardboard is increasing. The most common types of waves are the C-wave (medium wave), which springs and cushions well. The B-flute (fine shaft) is ideal for small filling quantities. The E-flute (microwave) can be printed very well.

    Mix & match

    Shaft Combinations

    In the case of corrugated board in the double-wave range, BC flute (fine and medium flute), EB flute or EE flute are combined. For 3-wall corrugated board, ACA (coarse-wave-medium-wave-coarse-wave), BAA (fine-wave-coarse-wave-coarse-wave), EBC (fine-flute-fine-wave-medium-wave) or BBC (fine-wave-fine-fine-wave-medium-wave) are common. Cardboard boxes made of this corrugated cardboard provide reliable cushioning and are stable for different product sizes.

    The technical values of corrugated board

    What does a corrugated cardboard box need to be able to do? It must be stable with a low weight, it should be cheap, stackable and easy to use. DIN 55468 defines three specific quality characteristics for corrugated board as a packaging material:

     

    • Burst strength in kPa (kilopascals)
    • the piercing work in joules
    • Edge compression resistance in kN/m (kilonewton meters)

    Burst strength

    The resistance of a circularly clamped sample of corrugated board to a one-sided evenly increasing pressure to the point of bursting.

    Piercing work

    The measure of the resistance that a clamped specimen of corrugated board provides to the mechanical penetration of a puncture body.

    Edge upsetting resistance

    The maximum resistance of a sample of corrugated board with standing waves to a force acting in this direction.

    Grammage

    The paper webs of corrugated board have different mass-to-surface ratios. Corrugated papers, for example, have basis weights between 90 g/m² and 140 g/m².

    Stack upsetting resistance

    The measure of the stacking strength of corrugated cardboard packaging. The test method is the box compression test.

    Undulation

    The waveform produced in Switzerland is the sine wave.

    Corrugated cardboard: The secret to the right grade

    How do you find the right corrugated board for your own application? When making your selection, always consider the size and weight of your packaged goods as well as their shipping route. As a result, 

     

    • a specific combination of corrugations (two or three types of corrugation can be combined with each other, thus giving specific properties to the corrugated board),

    • a specific basis weight and the type of base paper (e.g. the particularly robust paper type Kraftliner or the cheaper paper type Testliner as a cover paper as well as semi-pulp for the shaft),

    • a specific packaging design for the stability of the packaging and the protection of your product.


    Are you looking for expert advice for your specific application? Contact our experts, we will advise you without obligation on the most efficient packaging solution for your company:

    The FEFCO code for a better overview

    The FEFCO code makes it easier for you to keep track of the designs of standardized shipping packaging. This is because all standard boxes made of corrugated cardboard have an internationally common code that simplifies communication between manufacturer, retailer and consumer. Read detailed information about the FEFCO code here.


    To help you quickly find your way around the Model Online Shop, we have catalogued our extensive range of standard corrugated cardboard boxes according to the FEFCO code. Simply enter your desired FEFCO number in the search.

    It depends on the manufacturer

    In addition to standard boxes, companies in the corrugated board industry offer their own optimized grades and individual designs, which are developed together with customers, for example. 

     

    At Model, we've been optimising corrugated board and packaging since 1882. Since our company was founded, we have attached great importance to the highest quality made in Switzerland. Thanks to our state-of-the-art machinery and extensive expert knowledge, you can order high-quality corrugated cardboard packaging directly from the manufacturer here in the online shop. Of course, with the optimal price-performance.


    We also make no compromises when it comes to sustainability. It is anchored in our DNA, because recycled cardboard and paper are the raw material for our corrugated board products.

    Tips: Finding the Right Wave

    Single & double shaft

    Cardboard boxes

    Large selection of corrugated cardboard folding boxes for your products.

    Three-wave

    Moving and exporting

    Heavy and large goods need sturdy boxes made of corrugated cardboard.

    Lexicon

    Packaging terms

    Terms relating to corrugated board and packaging explained simply.

    Buy your corrugated cardboard packaging