When you are looking for PP corrugated sheets, one question that may occur to you is: what is the thickness of corrugated plastic? There are many thicknesses available when it comes to PP corrugated sheets depending on the use that you would like to put them to. You will find out more about thicknesses of corrugated plastic in this article.
1. What Is Corrugated Plastic?
Corrugated plastic is a lightweight, hollow-sheet product made up of polypropylene (PP). Known by names such as PP corrugated, PP hollow, or plastic fluted sheets, the product has various applications in areas such as packaging, reusable containers, pads, signs, agriculture, and industry. The product is available in a variety of dimensions, sizes, colors, and weights to suit your specific requirements.
2. Thickness of corrugated plastic
PP corrugated sheet normally has a thickness that ranges between 2mm and 12mm, but this varies depending on the manufacturer and type of machinery being used.
Common thicknesses selected by users include:
| Thickness | Application |
| 2mm | Suitable for use in light applications |
| 3mm | Suitable for light packing and protection |
| 4mm | General-purpose packing |
| 5mm | Packing and protection |
| 6mm | Heavy duty packing |
| 8mm | Suitable for industrial applications |
| 10mm | Suitable for heavy duty industrial applications |
| 12mm | Provides maximum strength and protection |
2 mm PP Corrugated Sheet
2 mm PP corrugated sheet is the best options when weightiness, durability, or structural integrity are less importance.
The sheet is easily cut, bent, folded, printed upon, and processed, which makes it perfect for light packaging, document holders, protection covers, signs, promotional displays, and other simple partitions.
If you seek light weight and economy in materials transportation, then 2 mm thickness is a great choice for you. However, do not use it for heavy goods transportation or any impact-resistant applications.
3 mm PP Corrugated Sheet
A 3 mm PP corrugated sheet is more rigid compared to 2 mm but remains light in weight. This kind of material is often used due to its flexibility, protective qualities, and economy.
Apply 3 mm sheets in packaging inserts, dividers, layer pads, agricultural packaging, retail displays, protective covers and other cases when the sheet has to maintain its form but does not have to carry much weight.
When you are importing PP corrugated sheets for packaging purposes, 3 mm becomes a reasonable choice when there is a need for greater rigidity compared to 2 mm sheets.
4 mm PP Corrugated Sheet
The use of 4 mm PP corrugated sheets means that you have chosen an option which has better strength and durability compared to thinner variants. This type is suitable for all kinds of packing and protection.
4 mm sheets can be used in reusable packing, box liners, separator pads, industrial packing, protection panels, and signs. They provide good protection when handling and transporting goods while at the same time being easy to work with.
If your application requires more durability than 2 mm or 3 mm sheets can offer, choosing 4 mm is a good solution..
5 mm PP Corrugated Sheet
The 5 mm PP corrugated sheet provides additional rigidity and durability due to its increased thickness, which makes it maintain its form during transportation, storage, and handling.
Applications include reusable plastic boxes, packaging for automotive and industries, partitions, layer pads, and protective packaging. This type of sheeting material is good for situations when there is an expectation of repeated use of the packaging materials.
If you need a specification with sufficient strength, durability, and appropriate weight, then 5 mm will be a good choice.
6 mm PP Corrugated Sheet
6 mm PP corrugated sheets are made to be used in tough applications that need strength. As compared to other thin sheets, this sheet offers more strength along with greater stiffness.
6 mm sheets can be used in applications like packing, reusable boxes, automobile components, warehouse partitions, industrial packing, and protective panels.
It is particularly useful when your packaging needs to retain its shape while packaging or protecting heavy items. However, do consider the increased weight and cost of transportation of a thicker sheet as compared to a thinner one..
7 mm PP Corrugated Sheet
With 7mm PP corrugated sheet, there is an added layer of rigidity as it connects the medium duty to heavy duty requirements.
Perfect for use in heavy-duty separators, reusable packages, industrial dividers, protective shields, etc., where the sheet is required to withstand repeated handling.
It is that magic thickness that you need when 6mm is not rigid enough while 8mm would be too much, 7mm may be the ideal one.
8 mm PP Corrugated Sheet
Being quite sturdy and providing excellent structural support, the 8 mm PP corrugated sheet proves to be very appropriate for heavier applications.
Apply these sheets for reusable heavy duty packaging, partitions, pallets separation, industrial protection, structural elements of packages and custom made items.
This is the best choice when high durability and rigidity are more important than weight reduction. Remember that thicker sheets will require more material and cost you more money..
9 mm PP Corrugated Sheet
9 mm PP corrugated sheet comes with added rigidity if you require a stronger sheet. This is the choice of those who cannot achieve what they need from ordinary mid-thickness sheets.
Use it for robust protective packaging, recyclable transit containers, industrial partitions, shielding of equipment, and unique packaging projects.
This size falls right between 8 mm and 10 mm and provides an excellent compromise. Make sure your supplier is able to produce this thickness to your specifications..
10 mm PP Corrugated Sheet
10 mm PP corrugated sheet is well-prepared to take up tough jobs and provide good rigidity and durability. This material will give added strength to packages that contain bigger and heavier goods.
It is used extensively in industrial packaging, protection of machines, transport containers, large protective shields, and customized fabricated products.
While ordering 10 mm sheets, you should carefully check the sheet weight and loading capacity of the packing material, since it increases the weight of the whole shipment significantly.
11 mm PP Corrugated Sheet
11 mm PP corrugated sheet is a specialty thickness that has been created to meet requirements of extra strength and protection. It lies between the popular 10 mm and the more durable 12 mm sheets.
It is used in specialized packaging needs, big panels for protection purposes, reusable boxes, protection of equipment, among others.
Because the 11 mm sheet thickness is not commonly demanded like the 5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm or 10 mm, it is advisable to consult your manufacturer regarding production and minimum quantity.
12 mm PP Corrugated Sheet
12 mm is definitely one of the most thick sheets that are available on the market. It is specifically designed for those applications in which strength and durability become top priorities.
This type of sheet is ideal for applications such as industrial packaging, protection of equipment, large dividers, transport packaging, protective boards, and fabricated products.
Although additional thickness gives better rigidity to the sheet, at the same time it consumes more material and results in increased shipping charges. Hence, when you are ordering 12 mm sheets from other countries, make sure that your application really requires this thickness level.
3. The Right PP Corrugated Thickness for You
Selecting the correct thickness does not mean going for the heaviest sheet, but finding a material that corresponds to the needs of your project.
For a lightweight product that is affordable, 2–3 mm may be sufficient. For regular packaging and protection purposes, 4–5 mm may be the right choice, while more challenging applications require 6–8 mm sheets. Structural needs and extra protection should be covered by 9–12 mm sheets.
When importing corrugated sheets, remember to consider various other factors besides thickness, such as sheet weight, fluting structure, material grade, size, manufacturing tolerance, volume of your order, and shipping expenses. There is no point in paying more for thickness when the thinner spec suffices to your needs.
Before making a purchase in bulk, ask your manufacturer to provide you with sample sheets and confirm their technical specifications.
4. Does a Thicker Sheet Mean a Stronger Sheet?
Thickening a PP corrugated sheet can help improve its rigidity and reduce bending. However, thickness is not everything that determines performance.
Other factors come into play such as density, weight, shape of the flute, manufacturing process, and type of polypropylene used.
It is possible for two 5 mm sheets to be different in terms of weight per square meter.
So, when you are importing PP corrugated sheets for a particular purpose, do not evaluate the suppliers based on thickness only.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1.What is the standard thickness of the corrugated plastic?
There is no standardized thickness of corrugated plastic sheets. The PP corrugated sheets can be from 2 mm to 12 mm thick, depending on the purpose and the producer. Common thicknesses are 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, and 12 mm.
Q2.How would you determine the thickness of your corrugated plastic?
The thickness of a PP corrugated sheet can be measured by a suitable gauge or caliper. This should be done by taking measurements at different spots on the sheet since different manufacturers may have some tolerances in their products.
Q3.Does thickness affect international shipping costs?
Yes, since thickness determines weight, this will add to the total weight of your shipment and hence reduce the number of sheets that may fit in one shipment. While importing the PP corrugated sheets, you must take into account both the cost of the material and the shipping cost.
6. Conclusion
There is a wide variety of PP corrugated sheets with different thicknesses ranging from 2mm to 12mm, which are specifically designed for their particular purposes. While importing PP corrugated sheets, you should consider thickness, weight, flutes structure, material and production tolerance. It will help you choose the proper sheet without spending too much money. More information is available at PurePack.
