Corrugated Fiberboard Cushioning-Effects of Humidity and Temperature on Impact Absorbing Properties, 1996 Corrugated Containers Conference Proceedings

Jorge A. Marcondes, Ph.D.--The ability of corrugated fiberboard to absorb impacts was investigated under a range of humidity and temperature conditions, using a small scale cushion tester. Single-face, single-wall and double-wall specimens were used to construct cushion curves for each condition determined by the following parameters: impact height, static loading, humidity and temperature. In general, high humidities provide good cushioning for low static loadings and poor cushioning for high static loadings; low humidities provide good cushioning for high static loadings and poor cushioning for low static loadings. For each drop height and each material, there is a range of humidities that render the best cushioning, which is influenced by the ambient temperature. The paper proves that, although high humidity is detrimental for corrugated fiberboard compression performance, there are situations in which high humidity is favorable for absorbing impacts. Such events could cause product damage during handling and transport of packaged items.