Energy Absorption Properties of Paper-Based Packaging Materials as Response to Various Ambient Humidities

Abstract

The effect of relative humidity (RH) on the energy absorption characteristics of honeycomb paperboard and multi-layered corrugated paperboard (MLCP) is investigated experimentally. The concept of specific load is employed to compare the energy absorption properties of these two structural parts with different constructions and materials. Results indicate that energy absorption capacity of honeycomb paperboard is insensitive to RH in the range of 40%~75%; when RH is higher than 75%, energy absorption decreased significantly with the increasing of RH. While for MLCP, its energy absorption properties decline continually by small margin as the RH increase in relative humidity range between 40%-95%. Energy absorption properties of honeycomb paperboard far outweigh that of MLCP in humidity range of 40%-85%, however, in extremely humid environment (95%RH), energy absorption of honeycomb paperboard is nearly equal to that of MLCP. Results of this research can be applied in the optimum design and material selection of paper-based cushioning materials in actual logistics environments.