Corrugated Box Drop Testing: 6 Things to Keep in Mind
- By Cory Levins
- 21 ago 2019
A corrugated shipping box is much more durable than most people might realize, as shown by the fact that millions of them are shipped every day and keep the products inside safe and sound. However, to make sure your boxes give you the results you’re looking for, it’s important to perform durability tests on your corrugated boxes, the most common of which is referred to as a “drop test.”
How does a drop test work and how can you integrate them into your shipping practices to make sure your corrugated box is up to the job? The six tips from the corrugated shipping box authorities at Air Sea Containers will introduce you to the basics of a drop test and provide some key insights.
First, it’s important to understand the different types of corrugated boxes and their uses. There are two main types of strength ratings, each used for a different application:
For a full rundown of how to select the right box, see our blog post that covers ECT, Mullen testing, maximum loads and more.
Part of the reason drop tests are so useful is because they can be done without special equipment or training. They can be performed in a few minutes with just some simple observations and a few samples of your boxes and product. It’s a good idea to add a drop test to your standard procedures any time you change the type of packaging you use to ship goods.
To perform a drop test, follow the guidelines provided by the International Safe Transit Association. This comprehensive list includes charts and graphs listing the weight of the packaged product and how high to drop it from, as well as diagrams of which edges and vertices should be tested. It’s recommended that you test multiple samples from your box lot to gain a higher level of confidence in your test results.
Before you execute a drop test, figure out what you’re looking for in terms of pass/fail conditions. Make a list of acceptable tolerances, including how much damage to the box, packaging and product constitute a pass or fail.
After you’ve done the drop test, open the box and evaluate some key information, including:
For certain shipping applications, you’ll need to ensure that your shipping boxes are equipped to stand up to other factors. Unlike drop tests, these are typically performed with specialized equipment, so you’ll need to contact a lab that performs them unless you work at a large enough scale that it makes sense to invest in the equipment for your own business. If you ship goods that fall into any of the nine hazmat classifications, you’ll probably also need special testing to ensure that these boxes meet hazmat standards.
The best way to ensure that your boxes can give you the right performance features and specs? Design them yourself! You can do it right from Air Sea Containers’ website through our easy custom corrugated shipping box design interface. Choose from different strengths of cardboard, different designs, hazmat or non-hazmat boxes and add three-color printing on up to four panels of the box. It’s your product, so make sure it’s your box as well!
Air Sea Containers is proud to be your packaging authority for corrugated shipping boxes and more. If you need more information on drop tests, durability standards or anything else, call us at (866) 596-9448 or contact us online!
How does a drop test work and how can you integrate them into your shipping practices to make sure your corrugated box is up to the job? The six tips from the corrugated shipping box authorities at Air Sea Containers will introduce you to the basics of a drop test and provide some key insights.
1. To find a durable corrugated box, start by learning about burst strength and ECT ratings.
First, it’s important to understand the different types of corrugated boxes and their uses. There are two main types of strength ratings, each used for a different application:
- Edge crush testing, or ECT, is a rating system typically used for boxes that will spend most of their time palletized. ECT-rated boxes tend to be slightly lighter and made with less material.
- Mullen testing, or burst testing, is used for boxes that will be handled individually. Mullen-rated boxes are typically heavier and made with more material.
For a full rundown of how to select the right box, see our blog post that covers ECT, Mullen testing, maximum loads and more.
2. You can do a box drop test yourself as part of your inspections.
Part of the reason drop tests are so useful is because they can be done without special equipment or training. They can be performed in a few minutes with just some simple observations and a few samples of your boxes and product. It’s a good idea to add a drop test to your standard procedures any time you change the type of packaging you use to ship goods.
3. The ISTA’s drop test guide outlines how to perform a standard drop test.
To perform a drop test, follow the guidelines provided by the International Safe Transit Association. This comprehensive list includes charts and graphs listing the weight of the packaged product and how high to drop it from, as well as diagrams of which edges and vertices should be tested. It’s recommended that you test multiple samples from your box lot to gain a higher level of confidence in your test results.
4. Before beginning the test, determine your tolerances, and after the test, compare the results against them.
Before you execute a drop test, figure out what you’re looking for in terms of pass/fail conditions. Make a list of acceptable tolerances, including how much damage to the box, packaging and product constitute a pass or fail.
After you’ve done the drop test, open the box and evaluate some key information, including:
- Did the box rupture? If it did, where was the rupture?
- Did the product or packaging receive scratches, dings or dents?
- Is the product still working correctly after the drop test?
- Does the product need additional void fill or interior packaging?
5. Other corrugated box tests are available to ensure your boxes have the specific protective qualities you need.
For certain shipping applications, you’ll need to ensure that your shipping boxes are equipped to stand up to other factors. Unlike drop tests, these are typically performed with specialized equipment, so you’ll need to contact a lab that performs them unless you work at a large enough scale that it makes sense to invest in the equipment for your own business. If you ship goods that fall into any of the nine hazmat classifications, you’ll probably also need special testing to ensure that these boxes meet hazmat standards.
6. You can design custom boxes from Air Sea containers to get the specs you need.
The best way to ensure that your boxes can give you the right performance features and specs? Design them yourself! You can do it right from Air Sea Containers’ website through our easy custom corrugated shipping box design interface. Choose from different strengths of cardboard, different designs, hazmat or non-hazmat boxes and add three-color printing on up to four panels of the box. It’s your product, so make sure it’s your box as well!
Air Sea Containers is proud to be your packaging authority for corrugated shipping boxes and more. If you need more information on drop tests, durability standards or anything else, call us at (866) 596-9448 or contact us online!
