Corrugated cardboard display racks, a common display tool in modern retail stores, are widely favored for their lightness, low cost, printability, and ease of assembly. However, in actual use, many retail stores and business managers have questions: Can corrugated cardboard display racks withstand rain? Will they deform or damage in humid environments?
This article will analyze the performance of corrugated cardboard display racks in humid conditions from multiple perspectives, including material properties, structural design, environmental factors, moisture resistance, and countermeasures, and answer questions about their safety.
Will corrugated cardboard display racks deform in moisture?
Yes! The core material of corrugated cardboard display racks is corrugated cardboard. Corrugated cardboard consists of a face paper and a core paper, forming a sandwich structure that balances lightness with load-bearing properties. The face paper is typically kraft paper or white cardboard, while the core paper has a corrugated sandwich structure to enhance longitudinal and transverse strength.
However, paper materials are naturally hygroscopic. When corrugated cardboard display frames come into contact with moisture, the paper fibers absorb water and swell, causing the material to lose strength, warp, and deform. This means that unprotected corrugated cardboard display frames exposed to rain or prolonged exposure to high humidity can experience structural softening, partial collapse, and even become unable to hold merchandise.
Thus, the moisture sensitivity of corrugated cardboard display frames is closely related to their material properties: the thicker the cardboard and the higher the fiber density, the less strength loss after water absorption and expansion, but moisture deformation is not completely prevented.
How does the structural design of a corrugated cardboard display frame affect its moisture resistance?
In addition to the material, the structural design of a corrugated cardboard display frame is also a key factor in determining its moisture resistance. Typical corrugated cardboard display frames utilize a multi-layer lamination process and a sandwich-style support structure, which significantly improves load-bearing capacity and stability in dry environments.
However, when exposed to moisture, the bond strength between the corrugated core layer and the face paper decreases, leading to separation or warping between the layers. Display racks constructed from single-layer corrugated cardboard are at greater risk of deformation due to moisture. Multi-layer lamination and reinforced edge designs can somewhat mitigate structural softening after moisture exposure, but they cannot completely prevent it.
Structural design also includes support columns, folded edges, and partition layouts. These features maintain stability under certain humidity levels, but may still cause localized bending or a decrease in load-bearing capacity in direct rain.
What happens to corrugated cardboard display racks in rain?
When a corrugated cardboard display rack is directly exposed to rain, it typically undergoes the following changes:
1. Water Absorption and Expansion
The fibers of the corrugated cardboard expand after absorbing water, weakening the adhesion between the face paper and the core paper. This may cause the display rack to partially bend or warp.
2. Reduced Strength
After absorbing water, the load-bearing capacity of the corrugated cardboard decreases, especially its longitudinal compressive strength and transverse bending resistance. This may cause slight sinking or overall tilting when products are placed on it.
3. Deformation and Warping
Uneven expansion of the core layer after water absorption can cause localized warping, bending, or unevenness in the display rack. Prolonged exposure to moisture may cause irreversible structural deformation, making it impossible to restore to its original shape.
4. Surface Damage
The printed layer, laminating layer, or coating may peel or bubble due to moisture penetration, affecting the appearance and brand display.
As can be seen, the durability and stability of corrugated cardboard display stands will be significantly reduced if exposed to direct rain, and in severe cases, they may become unable to hold merchandise.
Can corrugated cardboard display stands still be used after being exposed to moisture?
The usability of corrugated cardboard display stands after being exposed to moisture depends on the humidity, the area exposed to moisture, the duration of exposure, and the original structural strength of the display stand. The general rules are as follows:
1. Slight Moisture
Partial moisture or brief exposure to moisture can restore some of the corrugated cardboard display stand's load-bearing capacity after drying, but slight wrinkling or color changes may occur on the surface.
2. Moderate Moisture
Extensive moisture exposure or prolonged exposure to moisture may cause edge warping, softening of the core layer, and partial loss of load-bearing capacity. In this case, the display stand can still be used for a short period of time, but its safety and stability will be compromised.
3. Severe Moisture
Prolonged exposure to rain or soaking can cause corrugated cardboard display racks to absorb and swell severely, leading to structural instability and a significant reduction in load-bearing capacity, making them virtually unusable.
Therefore, the continued use of corrugated cardboard display racks after moisture exposure depends on the degree of moisture, drying procedures, and structural design. It is generally recommended that display racks that have been soaked in rain should not be used to carry merchandise to avoid safety hazards.
How to Improve the Moisture Resistance of Corrugated Cardboard Display Racks?
Although corrugated cardboard display racks are naturally sensitive to moisture, their moisture resistance can be improved to a certain extent through material selection and process improvements:
• Waterproof Coating: Spraying a waterproof coating on the corrugated cardboard surface prevents moisture from penetrating the fibers, improving moisture resistance.
• Lamination: Applying a PE film or a glossy film can partially isolate moisture and slow the rate of water absorption and expansion.
• Thickened Cardboard and Double-Layer Structure: Increasing the cardboard thickness or using a double-corrugated or multi-layer lamination process can minimize the loss of strength after moisture exposure.
• Moisture-resistant adhesive: Using a water-resistant adhesive between the face paper and the core paper maintains interlayer adhesion under certain humidity conditions, reducing the risk of warping and deformation.
• Appropriate support design: Adding lateral support columns, folded edges, and a partition layout can distribute localized forces after moisture exposure and maintain overall stability.
These methods can significantly improve the moisture resistance of corrugated cardboard display racks, but they cannot completely ensure long-term use in rain.
What environments are corrugated cardboard display racks suitable for?
Based on moisture resistance analysis, corrugated cardboard display racks are best suited for dry or short-term wet environments, such as:
• Indoor stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores
• Dry storage areas
• Indoor displays for temporary promotional events
It is not recommended to use them for a long time in the following environments:
• Outdoor heavy rain
• High humidity and waterlogging
• Display areas exposed to direct rain
In these environments, corrugated cardboard display racks are susceptible to moisture and deformation, affecting their safety and aesthetics.
Will moisture affecting corrugated cardboard display racks affect their load-bearing capacity and stability?
The main signs of weakened strength in corrugated cardboard display racks after exposure to moisture are:
• Decreased longitudinal load-bearing capacity: The core layer absorbs water and expands, weakening its compressive strength. Heavy objects can easily cause partial sinking or overall tilting.
• Decreased transverse bending resistance: Display racks are prone to bending or warping under load, especially with long, strip-shaped panels.
• Decreased structural stability: The adhesion between the face paper and core paper layers decreases, making the display rack prone to partial deformation or edge warping, reducing its stability.
Therefore, continuing to use corrugated cardboard display racks to carry merchandise in rainy environments presents a safety risk.
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