Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-08-14 Origin: Site
Shipping container liners are functional components installed inside containers such as rack-mounted containers, box pallets, Euro containers, and pallet boxes. They are used to secure, cushion, partition, and protect the surfaces of products. Based on engineering data and actual performance measurements, this article systematically reviews the design specifications for liners in these four types of containers and provides an objective explanation of the technical parameters, processing methods, and application limits for eight mainstream materials and processes.
The material rack is a welded metal structure; the inner lining must address the issues of scratches caused by rigid contact and the transmission of vibrations. Key design considerations include:
Compressive permanent deformation rate of load-bearing parts ≤ 5%;
Dimensional tolerances of the positioning slots are controlled within ±0.3 mm to ensure no interference with robotic gripper operation;
The coefficient of friction on metal contact surfaces is ≥ 0.4 to prevent shifting during transport;
Oil resistance meets the IRM903 standard.
Pallet boxes offer ample interior space, and the primary functions of their liners are to provide compartmentalization and stacking support. Key design considerations include:
The flat compression strength of the dividers must be ≥800 kPa to ensure no deformation when stacked three high;
The clearance between the blade clips and slots must be 0.5–1 mm; if too tight, cracking may occur; if too loose, wobbling may result;
The thickness of the sidewall lining must be ≥3 mm and must cover the protruding areas of the side panels;
When folding for storage, the lining must be removable or able to fold in unison with the box; it must withstand ≥200 folding cycles without breaking.
EU Containers are used in automated production lines, and their liners must meet equipment compatibility requirements. Key design considerations include:
Outer contour dimensional tolerance: ±0.2 mm; clearance between the enclosure and the inner wall: ≤1 mm;
Customizable anti-static options available;
Particle emission class: ≤ISO Class 7; suitable for electronics and pharmaceutical applications;
Weight must not exceed 15% of the enclosure’s total weight to avoid exceeding the load threshold of the audio conveyor line.
Bulk Boxes feature large volumes and high load capacities; their liners are categorized by function into bottom liners, side liners, and bagged liners. Key design considerations include:
The base liner must have a dynamic load-bearing capacity of ≥1.5 metric tons and a static load-bearing capacity of ≥3 metric tons;
The puncture resistance of the bagged inner liner must be ≥8 N, and the peel strength of the heat-sealed edges must be ≥30 N/15 mm;
The height of the side liners must be no less than two-thirds of the cargo’s center of gravity to prevent tipping;
All inner liner components must be replaceable individually; connections must use snap fasteners or bolts; the use of adhesives is prohibited.
Materials/Processes | Density (kg/m³) | Compressive Strength (kPa) | Rebound Rate (%) | Operating Temperature (°C) | Processing Methods | Mold Costs | Unit Cost Range | Number of cycles |
EPP | 20–60 | 150–800 | ≥90 | -40~130 | Steam Molding | High | 20000-120000USD | 300+ |
PE (EPE) | 18–45 | 30–200 | 60–75 | -50~80 | Cutting/Hot-melt bonding | None/Low | 3000-21000USD | 20–50 |
EVA | 30–80 | 50–300 | 70–85 | -30~70 | Hot pressing/die-cutting | Medium | 15000-70000USD | 100–200 |
Polyurethane | 30–120 | 80–500 | 50–90 | -30~90 | In-situ Casting/FIPFG | Upper secondary | 30000-150000USD | 100–300 |
Cloth Bag | N/A | N/A | N/A | -20~80 | Sewing/Heat-sealing | Low | 9000-40000USD | 500+ |
Honeycomb Panel (Paper) | 300–600 | 800–2000 | ≤10 | -20~60 | Cutting/Bonding | Low | 9000-50000USD | 50–100 |
Hollow Board | 800–1500 | 400–1200 | ≤5 | -20~80 | Cutting/Riveting | None | 5000-32000USD | 100–300 |
Thermoforming | 900–1400 | 200–600 | ≤20 | -20~70 | Vacuum thermoforming | High | 1500-15000USD | 100–500 |
Selection should be based on measurable technical specifications rather than subjective judgements. The following steps are recommended:
Calculate the required thickness and area of the cushioning material based on the product’s weight, G-value and expected drop height.
Screening materials against transport and storage environmental parameters:
Temperatures above 80°C: Exclude EVA and standard thermoformed products; select EPP or PU;
Contact with oils/chemicals: Exclude paper honeycomb panels and standard fabric bags; select EPP, PP honeycomb panels or fluorinated-coated fabrics;
Humidity > 80% RH: Exclude paper honeycomb panels that have not undergone moisture-proof treatment; select plastic-based materials or moisture-proof paper honeycomb panels.
Export packaging: Confirm that materials comply with ISPM 15 or provide a non-wood declaration;
Food/pharmaceutical contact: Request FDA/GB 4806 compliance reports;
Automated production lines: Provide dimensional inspection reports and ESD test reports;
Customer-specified standards
The selection and design of transport packaging liners is a data-driven engineering task. Their effectiveness does not depend on the sophistication of the materials used, but rather on how well the technical parameters align with actual operating conditions. By clearly defining carrier requirements, quantifying material performance and adhering to standardised processes, it is possible to develop stable, predictable and optimisable liner solutions that provide a solid foundation for the reliability and cost-effectiveness of logistics systems.
