A study of shock characterization for protective packaging design

Abstract

Cushioning buffers made of expandable polystyrene, a white polymeric granulated material, are commonly used to protect goods from damage. Current design practices tend to be simplistic and general, resulting in either overdesigned buffers or inadequate product protection. The objective of this paper is to identify the main parameters affecting shock absorption so that products can be better protected. An investigative study reveals that the types of impact surfaces, material densities, geometric features, and configurations contribute significantly to the amount of shock that a product experiences.