32 ECT vs 48 ECT: side-by-side numbers
48 ECT board crushes at 48 lb per inch of edge against 32 for 32 ECT, so in C flute a 48 ECT box is estimated 50% stronger in compression at any size. Whether that is worth it depends on load, stack height and storage time.
Estimated compression at 10 sizes
| Inside, in | 32 ECT C | 48 ECT C | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 6 × 4 | 393 | 589 | +196 lbf |
| 10 × 8 × 6 | 446 | 668 | +223 lbf |
| 12 × 12 × 12 | 514 | 772 | +257 lbf |
| 14 × 10 × 8 | 514 | 772 | +257 lbf |
| 16 × 12 × 10 | 556 | 833 | +278 lbf |
| 18 × 12 × 12 | 575 | 863 | +288 lbf |
| 18 × 18 × 18 | 630 | 945 | +315 lbf |
| 20 × 16 × 14 | 630 | 945 | +315 lbf |
| 24 × 18 × 18 | 681 | 1,021 | +340 lbf |
| 24 × 24 × 24 | 728 | 1,091 | +364 lbf |
Boxes high at 30 lb per box
| Inside, in | 32 ECT | 48 ECT |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 8 × 6 | 9 | 14 |
| 16 × 12 × 10 | 12 | 17 |
| 24 × 18 × 18 | 14 | 21 |
Column stacked for 30 days with Packgent's default 40% storage loss (an assumption): ⌊BCT × 0.6 ÷ 30⌋ + 1.
Choosing between them
Pick the lower grade when the stack is short, the load light or the box is used once. Move up when boxes sit in storage for weeks, see humid warehouses, are interlocked or overhang the pallet, because each of those cuts usable strength. The stacking calculator shows which grade your conditions need.
Sources
- Foster, G. (1997). "Boxes, Corrugated." In Brody & Marsh (eds.), The Wiley Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology, 2nd ed. Wiley. ISBN 0-471-06397-5 (table reproduced in Wikipedia, "Corrugated fiberboard")
- Packaging Corporation of America: Profiles with a purpose
- McKee, Gander & Wachuta (1963), Paperboard Packaging 48(8)
Last reviewed . See all sources and how Packgent computes.