Anyone in the business of manufacturing electronic or computer products can attest to the fact that making the actual product is really the easy part when it comes to supplying electronics to end users. Preparing the product for shipping and making sure it arrives at its destination undamaged can be a much trickier undertaking. In the past, electronics manufacturers had to rely on standard corrugated paper packaging materials to house their products during shipment. But paper corrugated is fundamentally inappropriate in applications such as these because not only is it weak and readily susceptible to damage, but it also does not offer any conductive or anti-static properties, a factor which could prove detrimental in the shipping of electronics. Plastic corrugated, on the other hand, offers an advantageous alternative to the traditional paper packaging that once dominated the manufacturing and shipping industries. Corrugated plastic is formed when two plastic liners are fused together on either side of a sheet of wavy plastic known as fluting. Together, these three layers create a weather- and chemical-resistant material whose properties offer a superior alternative to traditional packaging methods. The unique fluted design of plastic corrugated provides excellent shock absorption and cushioning from vibrations, and also offers insulating properties that protect products from extreme temperatures. Corrugated plastic can also be treated with conductive, anti-static, flame retardant and UV-resistant additives that offer even further protection. Plastic corrugated becomes conductive when it is made from a polypropylene or polyethylene resin, the polymer of which encapsulates conductive carbon, thereby dissipating any charges resulting from static electricity, controlling additional static build-up and protecting from damage that could result from static electricity. During the shipment of electronic or computer products, the discharge of static electricity could cause severe damage to the product, resulting in countless wasted dollars and hours conducting product returns and repairs. Thus, for those in the electronics or circuitry industries who regularly ship static-sensitive materials, the use of plastic corrugated is one way of avoiding what could prove to be a major shock to one's system. |
