| STYROFOAM SHEETS |
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Sheets
of styrofoam are those light, white, boardlike materials you see in
packing boxes. They make a good packing material in special cases.
Their main virtue is that these sheets can support heavier loads than
can peanuts.
WE CARRY 2' X 4' SHEETS IN STOCK: $4.95 EACH |
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If
you are packing a large, heavy item in peanuts, consider completely
lining the inside of the packing box with sheets of styrofoam. This is
a great way to pack furniture.
Work the
styrofoam sheet this way. Choose 1" or 1 1/2" thick sheets. Cut each
piece of foam to exactly the size of the space (or 1/32" larger) so the
foam fits snug. Force the foam into the box with light pressure.
Measure each space and cut only one piece at a time and measure the
space before cutting the next piece. You'll see why as you go
along. (You can cut foam part way through with a sharp
knife and then break it over a table edge. It's easy and it's fun.)
You'll generate a lot of small pieces of scrap while cutting foam
sheet. Don't throw them away. Mix the foam scraps with
peanuts and use them as loose fill.
Snug fitting foam will reinforce the box and will guarantee that the
thickness of the padding will never be less than that of the foam. |
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Note: You cannot
build a good insulated foam shipping box this way. Air leakage will be
excessive and the box will not be as well insulated as you would expect. |
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Styrofoam
can be secured to a corrugated box with any number of commercial
mastics or adhesives. You will not get a strong bond because the
styrofoam is weak but the stuff will, pretty much, stay in place.
Sheet styrofoam is sold as a thermal insulator at building supply houses. |
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| Technical Stuff |
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| Sheet
styrofoam can be loaded to between 3 and 6 pounds per square inch.
This is to say, an item weighing 90 pounds could be supported by
an area of only 15 square inches of styrofoam sheet (although an
area three to five times as great would be safer.) This is the
greatest loading pressure which can be applied against a common
commercial packing material. |
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