Different Types of Paper and Board: properties and common uses

Cardboard

• Readily available;
• Many grades, thicknesses, colour and finishes;
• Easily cut;
• Accepts many adhesives and finishes;
• Often has several layers, with cheaper grade on the interior;
• Aluminium foil layers can seal in freshness;
• Common types:
  • Paperboard:
    • Thin form of cardboard that is utilized for toilet paper rolls and cereal boxes.
  • Mounting board:
    • Good quality, thick card;
    • Coloured on one side;
    • Good for mounting work and making final models
  • White lined chipboard:
    • Top layer is bleached;
    • Back layer usually grey and made from recycled waste paper.
  • Corrugated cardboard:
    • Fluted paper layer sandwiched between two paper liners;
    • Increased strength, while still quite light.
    • Protective packaging for fragile goods;
    • Most common box material.
  • Foam Board:
    • Has a foam layer sandwiched between two layers of card;
    • Lightweight;
    • Good for model-making, display / presentation;
    • White card surfaces will accept all forms of rendering;
    • Cuts cleanly and easily with a sharp blade;
    • Relatively expensive;
    • Requires special adhesives;
    • Good rigidity.

Corriflute sheet – corrugated plastic sheet made from polypropylene sheet (like corrugated cardboard, but plastic). Lightweight, durable, and versatile.

[have a knowledge of the following materials: paper, card, corrugated card and plastic,
foam board, – IG]

• [The working properties, stock forms and sizes, common uses and environmental impact of the following:
  – copier paper
  – card
  – corrugated card
  – bleached card
  – mount board
  – duplex card
  – moulded paper pulp.]
• [foam core/foam board
• – foil backed and laminated card, e.g. Tetra Pak® – composite materials]

The benefits of using recycled cardboard

• Good for the environment: Using recycled cardboard is better for the environment as it reduces deforestation and waste going to landfill. When producing laptop stands, using recycled cardboard instead of virgin materials can substantially reduce the product’s carbon footprint. It reduces the amount of incineration / burning of waste, which is better for the environment, and avoids contamination of the atmosphere.  Cardboard products also degrade easily and do not contribute to plastic waste.
• Marketing opportunity: The use of recycled materials often appeals to environmentally conscious consumers. This marketing advantage is increasingly important in today’s market. Customers like to be seen as environmentally conscious and like to support businesses with the same ambitions. Promotes a ‘green’ image, which can be promoted through the use of recycling symbols on packages. This can drive sales and make more money for the business. Laptop stands made from recycled cardboard can be marketed as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional products, attracting environmentally aware customers.
• Cost effectiveness: A cardboard laptop stand (whether recycled or not) is significantly cheaper than one made from other materials such as aluminium or steel. This is an important consideration for both manufacturers and consumers. A laptop stand made from recycled cardboard can be produced at a fraction of the cost of one made from metal, making it more accessible to consumers.
• Lightweight and easy to carry: Cardboard maintains excellent strength-to-weight ratios while being extremely light – especially if it is corrugated. This characteristic is particularly beneficial for portable products. A cardboard laptop stand can be easily carried with a laptop without adding significant weight to a user’s bag.
• Easy to manufacture: Recycled cardboard is easy to cut and fold and can be created using various tab and slot methods. This reduces production costs and energy consumption. Laptop stands can be manufactured using basic die-cutting and scoring techniques, requiring less complex machinery and using less energy than plastic moulding or metal fabrication, with far faster assembly. It can also be posted flat-pack to the consumer and assembled by the end user. This efficiency reduces shipping costs and storage space requirements.
• Customisation potential: Recycled cardboard can be easily printed on and customized – or even drawn on by hand by the consumer. This versatility allows for creative design and branding opportunities. Laptop stands can be printed with company logos, instructions, or decorative patterns, enhancing their visual appeal and brand value.
• Material availability: Recycled cardboard is widely available and abundant. This availability ensures consistent supply for manufacturing. The widespread recycling of cardboard boxes and packaging provides a reliable source of material for producing laptop stands.

Note: Some downsides include:

• Not suitable for certain products (food, cosmetics) due to contamination issues
• Cardboard is often weaker than virgin products
• May have random discolouration and other debris in the material, leading to a less uniform / ‘perfect’ product

Students should also be familiar with composite materials (a manufactured material that combines two or more materials with different properties), smart materials, modern materials and biodegradable materials.

See materials content here: https://www.technologystudent.com/joints/joindex.htm