Mechanical Collapse
Event in which a paperboard package loses its ability to support a load or maintain its shape under external stress. A structural board failure typically occurs when the internal forces exceed the strength of the fibre network or the adhesive bonds between the layers. This breakdown leads to damaged goods and increased returns for the manufacturer.
Failure Modes
Compressive loads in a warehouse stack can cause the corners of a corrugated box to buckle or the sides to bulge outward. When a structural board failure happens, it is often the result of high humidity reducing the stiffness of the cellulose fibres or a defect in the creasing and folding process. Identifying the exact point of collapse helps engineers to redesign the packaging or select a higher grade of board with better compression resistance.
Material weakness is usually the root cause.
Testing Standards
Standardized methods like the box compression test and the edge crush test are used to predict the likelihood of a package failing in the field. These measurements provide a safety margin that accounts for the stresses of transportation and long term storage. A well designed package balances the material cost with the need to avoid a structural board failure during its entire life cycle.
