The tear resistance exhibited by corrugated cardboard during long-distance transportation is closely related to its unique multi-layered design. It consists of a face paper, a liner, and a corrugated core layer bonded together with adhesive. This "sandwich" structure makes the cardboard's tear resistance far superior to that of ordinary paper. The wavy patterns of the corrugated core act like countless microscopic ribs, distributing external forces over a larger area. When subjected to tearing forces, the adhesive layers between the core, face paper, and liner share the load, preventing overall damage caused by a single tear. In contrast, single-layer paper or plastic film can tear instantly when subjected to concentrated forces. However, the multi-layered structure of corrugated cardboard provides multiple layers of tear resistance.
During long-distance transportation, goods inevitably experience frequent loading and unloading, stacking, and jolts, all of which can cause tearing forces on the packaging. During loading and unloading, forklift tines and manual handling can pull on the edges of packages. The high-strength face paper of corrugated cardboard resists these localized forces, ensuring that even minor edge wear and tear maintains the structural integrity of the corrugated core. During stacking, the pressure of upper layers of cargo can generate upward tearing forces on the edges of lower layers of packaging. The core structure of corrugated cardboard distributes this force over the entire surface, reducing the risk of localized tears. Furthermore, during bumpy transportation, the lateral tearing forces generated by friction and collisions between cargo are effectively absorbed by the multi-layer structure of corrugated cardboard, preventing package cracking.
The tear resistance of corrugated cardboard is also closely related to its raw materials and production process. High-quality corrugated cardboard typically uses high-strength kraft wood pulp or waste paper pulp for its face paper and core paper, which inherently possess high tear resistance. During the production process, the fiber length and interweaving density of the paper are controlled to further enhance the cardboard's toughness. The quality of the adhesive also affects overall tear resistance. High-strength adhesives like environmentally friendly corn starch glue ensure a tight bond between the face paper and the core paper, preventing delamination under stress and thus guaranteeing the overall tear resistance of the cardboard. Optimized raw materials and processes ensure that corrugated cardboard maintains stable performance even in the rigors of long-distance transportation.
Different types of corrugated cardboard offer tailored tear resistance based on transportation needs. Corrugated cardboard can be categorized by core paper shape as A-flute, B-flute, and C-flute. A-flute offers thicker core paper, better cushioning properties, and higher tear resistance, making it suitable for packaging heavy items or transporting them over long distances. B-flute offers thinner core paper but higher density, offering balanced tear and compression resistance, making it suitable for short-distance transport or for packaging smaller items. C-flute lies in between, offering both cushioning and tear resistance, and has a wider range of applications. Furthermore, double-layer corrugated cardboard (such as AB flute and BC flute), with two layers of core paper stacked together, boasts tear strength over 50% higher than single-layer corrugated cardboard, meeting the stringent packaging strength requirements for long-distance transportation. This diverse selection makes corrugated cardboard suitable for a variety of transportation scenarios.
The tear resistance advantages of corrugated cardboard have been extensively verified in real-world long-distance transportation. Compared to wooden box packaging, corrugated cardboard is lighter and offers sufficient tear resistance to withstand most transportation environments, while also reducing transportation costs. Compared to plastic packaging, the tear strength of corrugated cardboard is unaffected by temperature and remains stable in both high and low temperatures, unlike plastic, which becomes brittle and prone to tearing due to aging or low temperatures. For example, in cross-border ocean shipping, moisture-resistant corrugated cardboard resists seawater erosion and prolonged vibrations, resulting in a significantly lower packaging damage rate than other materials. In long-distance trucking, the tear resistance of corrugated cardboard reduces packaging cracking and cargo spillage caused by road jolting.
Corrugated cardboard's tear resistance also reduces cargo damage and additional costs during transportation. Packaging damage during transportation not only damages the goods but can also lead to secondary problems, such as scattered goods damaging other items and leaked liquids contaminating the transportation vehicle. Corrugated cardboard's high tear resistance effectively reduces packaging damage and mitigates the economic losses associated with cargo damage. Furthermore, its stable packaging performance reduces the frequency of inspections and reinforcements during transportation, saving both manpower and time. For industries with critical timeliness, such as e-commerce and fresh produce, the tear resistance of corrugated cardboard ensures on-time and intact delivery of goods, improving customer satisfaction.
Corrugated cardboard, with its multi-layered structure, high-quality raw materials, and diverse product options, offers exceptional tear resistance, fully meeting the packaging needs of long-distance transportation. Its robust performance in withstanding the tearing during loading and unloading, the pressure of stacking, and the friction of bumps and friction not only reduces packaging damage and cargo loss, but also saves companies transportation costs, making it a reliable packaging option for long-distance transportation and further consolidating its core position in modern logistics packaging.
