Safety factor
The multiple of the expected load that a box's tested or estimated strength must reach to allow for losses in real conditions.
In practice
Packgent builds it as 1 ÷ Π(1 − loss) from storage time, humidity, stacking pattern and overhang, and shows each factor. The default losses are labelled assumptions you can edit.
See it on Packgent
Related terms
- Box compression test (BCT)
- The top-to-bottom load an empty box carries before it fails, measured between two platens in a compression tester.
- Stacking strength
- How much load a box carries in a real stack over time, after losses for storage, humidity and handling.
- Interlocked stacking
- A pallet pattern where each layer is turned relative to the one below, tying the load together.
- Pallet overhang
- Boxes hanging past the edge of the pallet deck.
Definitions written by Packgent, last reviewed 2026-10-27. All terms.