What are the Packaging Materials For Fragile Items?

In the production of packaging for fragile items such as glass, mirrors, dishes, bottles, vials, souvenirs, tools, furniture, etc., cushion packing materials are used to protect against mechanical damage and climatic influences. Sometimes, for liquid materials, we also need to use these boxes. Generally, for liquid products, using 60 ml bottle boxes and other volumes is quite common. However, foamed polymeric materials with high shock-absorbing properties are used for the production of protective cradles. These can be regular or extruded polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, polypropylene foam, cross-linked or non-cross-linked polyethylene foam, ethylene vinyl acetate, or EVA. These materials keep the fragile items in their original shape and design because foam can bear the pressure from outside to the maximum. In this way, the product inside the box remains intact and protected.

Packaging Requirements

Damping properties determine the ability of a material to absorb the energy of shock, shaking, friction, vibration, or other loads to ensure the safety of goods from mechanical damage during transportation, or storage. Several general requirements apply to all cushioning materials. We are discussing some of them here:

• Lightweight
• Mechanical strength
• No or minimal indicators of permanent deformation from mechanical stress
• Lack of hygroscopicity
• Lack of abrasive properties
• Chemical inertness

The reason is that depreciation materials are most often used in the production of disposable transport packaging. Sometimes the use of a particular polymer is not economically or functionally justified. For example, ethylene-vinyl acetate is a lightweight, resilient, flexible, durable, impact-resistant material with high aesthetic and shock-absorbing properties. However, its high price and use for transport packaging make these materials not economically viable. Foamed polymers have performance and physical and mechanical properties that limit or determine their use as materials for the production of fixing cradles for fragile items.

Here, it is necessary to mention that budget packaging solutions work only when you have general products. Even in this particular scenario, you need to be unique and stylish in design. It helps you engage your customers more effectively and gives tough competition to your competitors. In the specific scenario of fragile items, the value of top-notch packaging materials increases a lot.

At that situation, you not only need to show your class and innovation but also keep the product protected and intact inside the box. Some cases, you cannot compromise on quality and spend a few extra dollars to give your products extra protection.

Now, let us explore some top packaging materials!

Expanded Polystyrene (Styrofoam)

Ordinary or extruded foam is lightweight and chemically resistant to organic and inorganic acids, salt solutions, alkalis, ammonia, alcohols, frons, etc. It absorbs the energy of shocks and vibrations due to its fine-mesh structure, neutralizes climatic influences, and can withstand weight up to 500 kilograms. Simple packaging elements are made of expanded polystyrene – corners, profiles, inserts, gaskets, fillers, or lodgments for combined packaging, boxes, containers, boxes with or without a lid. This product is not as expensive as we expect. More importantly, you can add extra protection with this material at the most affordable rates.

Polyurethane Foam (Foam rubber)

Foam rubber is not suitable for packing heavy or bulky items due to its elasticity, but it is ideal for packing fragile items. It is a lightweight, temperature-resistant foamed polymer with high shock-absorbing properties due to its fine-mesh structure. Protective fixing cradles for combined packaging are made of polyurethane foam. We recommend this material to all those products, which can change their shape due to external pressure. The reason is that your customer expects excellence. And to keep all these customers engaged, using foam rubber can be the best option.

Polyethylene Foam (cross-linked / non-cross-linked)

Crosslinked and un-crosslinked polyethylene foam differs in physical and mechanical properties, structure and price. Both polymers can form the basis of cradles for fragile items. However, if you want a budget polymer, you need un-cross linked polyethylene foam that is most commonly used due to its low cost and performance. This foamed polymer is lightweight, soft, durable, tear and stretch resistant, and provides high cushioning by absorbing impact energy with a porous structure. Simple packaging elements are made from NPE – corners, L-shaped and U-shaped profiles, inserts, gaskets, lodgments for combined packaging, disposable transport lodgments. All these features give you the opportunity of achieving both targets related to packaging, which are protection and style. Low cost and ease of mechanical processing are always beneficial while using these materials to prepare packaging boxes for CBD products. 

Final Words

You may have numerous options for packaging materials. However, fragile items need something extra. Therefore, we recommend foamed polymer for these products. However, the choice of a particular foamed polymer depends on its structure. Its applicable processing technologies, operating environment, established production times, and budget. So, when you plan to choose this material. You should need to coordinate with experts to achieve what you expect from packaging.