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    Corrugated board know-how

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

    Corrugated board - the stuff packaging is made of

    Have you ever dreamed of waves? Our packaging experts at Model often do. Not of rushing masses of water in a warm holiday destination - but of flowing paper that combines in several layers to form incredibly stable corrugated cardboard.

    To help you get to know the raw material corrugated board better, we have collected our concentrated expert knowledge for you. Read here:

    • Flute types and their advantages
    • flute 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 cardboard knowledge, you are guaranteed to make good packaging decisions in future - for example when choosing your moving or shipping boxes.

    Guide: All about corrugated board

    1-flute

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

    2-flute

    Die Wellpappe setzt sich aus zwei einseitig miteinander verklebten Wellenbahnen zusammen, kaschiert mit einem Deckenpapier.

    3-flute

    The corrugated cardboard consists of three corrugated sheets glued together on one side and laminated with a cover paper.

    The advantages of corrugated board

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

    Why is corrugated board so stable? This is due to the shape and arrangement of the corrugation. It cushions against external and internal loads, as the pressure is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the corrugated cardboard. This stable construction can also be found in nature, for example in wasps' nests.

    Know-How

    Dictionary of packaging handles

    Here you will find all the important terms relating to packaging and corrugated board.

    Corrugated board in detail

    Light to heavy

    Corrugated board for various products

    You can flexibly adapt corrugated cardboard to the weight of your packaged goods. Whether light or heavy products - with the right type of corrugation, you can pack and ship almost anything. 

     

    • 1 flute: Suitable for light, unbreakable products
    • 2-flute: Suitable for heavy or fragile products 
    • 3-flute: Suitable for very heavy or very fragile products
    Medium, fine & micro

    The types of waves

    Flute height and flute pitch determine the type of flute. The smaller the flute pitch and height, the lower the stackability and buffering effect of the corrugated board. However, the printability of the corrugated board increases. The most common flute types are the C-flute (medium flute), which provides good resilience and cushioning. The B flute (fine flute) is ideal for small filling quantities. The E-flute (microwave) can be printed on very well.

    Mix & match

    Wave combinations

    BC flute (fine and medium flute), EB flute or EE flute are combined for corrugated cardboard in the double flute range. ACA (coarse flute - medium flute - coarse flute), BAA (fine flute - coarse flute - coarse flute), EBC (ultra-fine flute - fine flute - medium flute) or BBC (fine flute - fine flute - medium flute) are commonly used for triple flute corrugated board. Cardboard boxes made from this corrugated cardboard provide reliable cushioning and are stable for different product sizes.

    The technical values of corrugated board

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

    • the bursting strength in kPa (kilopascals)
    • the puncture energy in joules
    • the edge crush resistance in kN/m (kilonewton metres)

    Bursting strength

    The resistance that a circularly clamped sample of corrugated cardboard puts up against a uniformly increasing pressure on one side until it bursts.

    Penetrability

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

    Edge crush resistance

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

    Grammage

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

    Stack crush resistance

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

    Wave form

    The waveform produced in Germany is the sinus wave.

    Corrugated board: The secret of the right grade

    How do you find the right corrugated cardboard for your application? When making your choice, always consider the size and weight of your packaged goods and the shipping route. This results in 

    • a specific flute combination (two or three flute types can be combined to give the corrugated board specific properties),
    • a specific grammage and the type of base paper (for example, the particularly robust Kraftliner paper grade or the more favourable Testliner paper grade as the cover paper and semi-pulp for the flute),
    • a specific packaging design for the stability of the packaging and the protection of your product.
    Special use cases

    We are happy to advise you

    Would you like expert advice for your specific application? Contact our experts and we will advise you without obligation on the most efficient packaging solution for your company.

    Contact Us

    The FEFCO code for a better overview

    The FEFCO code makes it easier for you to keep track of the designs of standardised shipping packaging. This is because all standardised corrugated cardboard boxes have an internationally used code that simplifies communication between manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Read detailed information about the FEFCO code here.

    To help you find your way around the Model Online Shop quickly, 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 box.

    It all depends on the manufacturer

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

    At Model, we have been optimising corrugated cardboard and packaging since 1882 and have placed great value on the highest quality made in Switzerland since our company was founded. Thanks to our modern machinery and extensive expertise, you can order high-quality corrugated cardboard packaging directly from the manufacturer here in our online shop. Naturally with the best value for money.

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

    Tips: Finding the right wave

    Single & double wall

    Cardboard boxes

    Large selection of corrugated cardboard folding boxes for your products.

    Resilient

    Pallet boxes

    Heavy and large goods need sturdy corrugated cardboard boxes.

    Glossary

    Packaging terms

    Terms relating to corrugated board and packaging explained simply.

    Buy your corrugated cardboard packaging