AAC triple wall: thickness, flutes per foot and strength

AAC triple wall stacks two A flutes and a C flute between four liners, about 0.53 in thick in Packgent's nominal sum. It is the board used for bulk bins and heavy unit loads.

Key numbers

ConstructionTriple wall: three mediums, four liners
PliesA flute + A flute + C flute
Nominal caliper0.5313 in · 13.6 mm
OD minus ID, length and width1.063 in
OD minus ID, depth1.594 in
McKee strength vs C flute, same ECT184%

Caliper is the sum of A flute (0.1875 in) and A flute (0.1875 in) and C flute (0.1563 in), computed by Packgent. Real board is slightly thinner after combining and converting.

Strength ratio = √(caliper ÷ C-flute caliper), from the McKee formula with ECT and perimeter held equal.

Trade-offs

  • By far the highest McKee estimate here, though McKee was fitted on smaller boxes, so treat bulk-bin numbers with care
  • Heavy and stiff; needs equipment that can score thick board
  • Common in gaylords rather than cases

Typical uses

  • Gaylords and bulk bins
  • Crates for heavy equipment

Estimated box compression at 10 sizes

Simplified McKee BCT, lbf, empty box, by inside size and ECT
Inside size, in90 ECT112 ECT
8 × 6 × 42,0382,536
10 × 8 × 62,3102,875
12 × 12 × 122,6683,320
14 × 10 × 82,6683,320
16 × 12 × 102,8823,586
18 × 12 × 122,9833,712
18 × 18 × 183,2684,066
20 × 16 × 143,2684,066
24 × 18 × 183,5294,392
24 × 24 × 243,7734,695

BCT ≈ 5.87 × ECT × √(caliper × perimeter), perimeter = 2(L + W) of the inside size. An estimate; confirm with ASTM D642. Grades shown are ECT values Packgent computes for this wall type, not a list of what mills sell.

Related

Sources