Plastic Shipping Containers
Shipping containers made of plastic are used to transport any type of good in bulk. Plastic is a beneficial alternative to wood, metal or glass because it is shatter proof, has high strength, corrosion resistance, fares well in a wide range of temperatures, and is able to be formed into a variety of shapes and sizes. They are always made reusable, and when they ware out, most plastic containers are recycled. Plastic shipping containers are used in any industry that moves its products from one location to another. They are either made air tight or with ventilation. Air tight shipping containers are used to transport liquids or products like paper and electronics that need waterproof protection from weather conditions. Ventilated shipping containers house live products, like plants and animals.
All plastic shipping containers are made with thermoplastic resins and processed by plastic injection molding, where plastic resin is heated until molten and then injected with high pressure into a mold. As the plastic cools, it takes the shape of the mold and becomes rigid. They come in many different shapes and sizes, and have either standard or custom dimensions. The smallest are about 1 foot long, while the largest tend to be about 4 feet long. Because the shipping process can include rough handling, many plastic shipping containers include a form of padding in the interior. The interior may also include a secured or removable partitioning divider, shelving or drawers. Many containers are made nestable, and fit inside each other when empty, or stackable, and may be securely placed on top of each other to save space.