Corrugated plastic

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Corrugated plastic box used as reusable packaging
Corrugated plastic dividers used to pack automotive components
A Velomobile enclosed in corrugated plastic

Corrugated plastic or corriboard – also known under the trade names of Biplex, Cartonplast, Polyflute, Coroplast, FlutePlast, IntePro, Proplex, Correx, Twinplast, Corriflute and Corflute – refers to a wide range of extruded twin-wall plastic-sheet products produced from high-impact polypropylene resin with a similar make-up to corrugated fiberboard. It is a light-weight tough material which can easily be cut with a utility knife. Manufacturers typically offer a wide variety of colors, thicknesses (quite commonly 3, 4, 5 mm), and weight (measured in grams per square meter, or GSM).

Chemically, the sheet is inert, with a neutral pH factor. At regular temperatures most oils, solvents and water have no effect, allowing it to perform under adverse weather conditions or as a product component exposed to harsh chemicals. Standard sheets can be modified with additives, which are melt-blended into the sheet to meet specific needs of the end-user. Special products that require additives include: ultra-violet protection, anti-static, flame retardant, custom colors, corrosive inhibitors, static-dissipative, among others.

Applications[edit]

Corrugated plastic is commonly used to erect commercial, political or other types of signs and for constructing plastic containers and reusable packaging.[citation needed] It is widely used in the signwriting industry for making signs for real estate sales, construction sites and promotions.[citation needed]

The last decade has found its increasing use among guinea pig, rabbit, domesticated hedgehog and other small pet enthusiasts as components of DIY cages.[citation needed] Additionally, it is used by members of the remote-controlled aircraft community to build nearly indestructible SPAD model aircraft.[citation needed]

Use of corrugated plastic in welded hollow plastic plate air-to-air heat exchangers. From U.S. patent 4,820,468[1]

At least one manufacturer[who?] of air-to-air heat exchangers (used in heat recovery ventilation) uses a fused stack of sheets of this material alternating with spacers made of the same material as the heat-exchange medium. One air stream passes through the corrugated channels in the interior of the sheets, while the other passes between the exterior layers of the stacked sheets.[citation needed]

Recycling[edit]

Corrugated plastic is usually made from polypropylene which is capable of being recycled. Resin identification code 5 applies: the number 5 surrounded by a recycling symbol, with the letters "P P" below.[2]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ US 4820468  "Method for making welded hollow plastic plate heat exchangers."
  2. ^ Plastics recycling information sheet Archived 2010-07-22 at the Wayback Machine, Waste Online

Further reading[edit]

  • Yam, K. L., Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology, John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6.

External links[edit]