How much can your Bubble wrap endure?
Bubble wrap packaging is the ideal material to use as protective packaging. It is made of bubbled plastic on a roll, perfect for wrapping ornaments, glass, crockery or other delicate packages and fragile parcels. The bubbles that provide the cushioning are generally available in different sizes depending on the size of the object being packed, as well as the level of cushioning protection that is needed.
People, especially children, play around with bubble wraps by popping the bubbles. This simple action proves that bubble wraps are not entirely immune to destruction. With the right amount of pressure, the protective bubbles burst leaving a flimsy sheet of transparent plastic paper. Therefore it is important to safely predict how much pressure will be subjected to the bubbles lest they are ruptured and expose the fragile cargo to destruction.
Bubble wrap comes in various forms. There is a type that is as small as 6 millimeters (1/4 inch) in diameter, to another that is as large as 26 millimeters (1 inch) or more, this is to provide added levels of shock absorption during transit. In addition to the degree of protection available from the size of the air bubbles in the plastic, the plastic material itself can offer some forms of protection for the object in question. For example, when shipping sensitive electronic parts and components, a type of bubble wrap is used that employs an anti-static plastic that dissipates static charge, thereby protecting the sensitive electronic chips from static which can damage them. The plastic could be extra thick to prevent abrasion from eating away and exposing the bubbles which will eventually erupt exposing the fragile goods to destruction.
Due to the different nature of cargo and the different ways and means in which they are shipped, destructive forces will vary in nature and intensity, hence it is important that the consignment is wrapped in the proper bubble wrap. If the voyage is especially turbulent or rocky, multiple layers might be needed to provide shock and vibration isolation. In most cases however, a single layer is sufficient for surface protection.
The time that the goods will be in transit, freight period, has a direct effect on the cargo. The longer the time the more stress is upon the protective packaging. For longer freights, tougher wraps should be utilized. The type of goods on transit will in great lengths dictate what kind of protective material will be used, objects with sharp protusions will obviously cancel the option of using bubble wrap.