1. Physical properties
The moisture content of the Corrugated Box has a significant impact on its physical properties. When the moisture content is too high, the strength of cardboard will drop significantly. For example, in terms of compressive strength, excessive moisture content will cause the fibers in the cardboard to expand and soften, causing the structure of the cardboard to become loose. The Corrugated Box, which was originally able to withstand greater pressure, may deform when it bears less pressure and cannot effectively protect the products in the package. In terms of bursting strength, excess moisture will weaken the bonding force between paper fibers, making the cardboard more likely to break when impacted by external forces. On the contrary, if the moisture content is too low, the cardboard will become too dry and brittle. This will make the cardboard prone to cracks when folded or subjected to slight impact, especially at the creases of the corrugated sheets, which may cause damage to the corrugated structure, thereby affecting the strength of the entire carton.
2. Dimensional stability
Moisture content is critical to the dimensional stability of Corrugated Box. Corrugated Box has certain hygroscopicity, and its moisture content will change with changes in ambient humidity. When the moisture content changes, the dimensions of the cardboard will change accordingly. If the moisture content is too high, the cardboard will absorb a lot of water and swell, causing the size of the carton to become larger. This may cause a waste of space in the originally closely arranged cartons during storage or transportation, and may also affect the compatibility of the cartons with packaging equipment. For example, on an automated packaging line, cartons with varying sizes may not pass through each packaging link accurately. When the moisture content is too low, the cardboard shrinks and the size of the carton becomes smaller, which may cause the product to be too compact in the carton or even squeeze the product. It will also increase the risk of the carton being damaged during transportation.
3. Printing adaptability
In the printing process, the moisture content of the Corrugated Box also plays a key role. Proper moisture content helps improve printing quality. If the moisture content is too high, the moisture on the cardboard surface will affect the drying speed and adhesion of the ink. The ink may take longer to dry, easily causing smearing and blurring of the print. Moreover, due to the presence of moisture, the bond between the ink and the cardboard surface is not strong, and the printed pattern may fall off during subsequent transportation or handling. On the contrary, if the moisture content is too low and the cardboard surface is too dry, it will absorb the solvent in the ink, causing the ink to dry too quickly, causing problems such as inaccurate printing and uneven colors, which will affect the appearance quality of the carton.
4. Mildew prevention and shelf life
Moisture content is also closely related to the mildew resistance and shelf life of corrugated boxes. Higher moisture content provides favorable conditions for mold growth. When the moisture content of cardboard exceeds a certain range, mold can easily grow on the surface of the cardboard. The growth of mold will not only destroy the structure of the cardboard and reduce the strength of the carton, but may also contaminate the product inside the package. Especially for product packaging with high hygiene requirements such as food and medicine, moldy cartons may cause serious quality problems. Therefore, controlling the moisture content of the Corrugated Box can effectively extend the shelf life of the carton and ensure the quality and safety of the packaging.
