Effects of the Temperature and Relative Humidity on the Compression Strength of Corrugated Cardboard Box

摘要

Cardboard is very sensitive material to the environmental conditions, especially moisture. The paperevaluated the compression strength of corrugated cardboard boxes. The mechanical performance test wascarried out under a controlled atmosphere that the temperature was from 20℃ to 50℃ and the relative humidity(RH) levels from dry conditions(50%RH) to severe conditions (90%RH). The results tested showed thatthe maximum compressive load of empty corrugated cardboard box sealed exposed to moisture content decreasedwith the increase of temperature and relative humidity. The parameter was reduced nonlinearly. Thestrength of cardboard specimens measured conditioned with temperature 20℃, 30℃,40℃ and 50℃ droppedby 36.32%, 38.36%, 40.58% and 36.36% respectively when the relative humidity changed from 70% RH to90% RH. When the temperature went up from 20℃ to 30℃, the compression value dropped quickly. The fallpercentage was 6%,6% and 4% respectively, corresponding the relative humidity was 40% RH,80%RH,90%RH. Finally, the compression strength calculated was carried by mean of the TOPS Pro software. Comparingthe data tested in the lab with that computed by Mckee formula, the rule was discovered that the formerwas bigger than the latter.