Corrugated Cardboard

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General Overview
Corrugated cardboard is a paper-based construction material consisting of a fluted corrugated sheet and one or two flat linerboards. It is widely used in the manufacture of Cardboard boxes and shipping containers. It's official name is actually "corrugated fiberboard", since the word cardboard could describe any number of heavy paper-pulp based boards. The corrugated medium and linerboard are made of paperboard, a paper-like material usually over ten mils (0.010 inch, or 0.25 mm) thick (Wikipedia). Corrugated cardboard is an extremely useful material for creating quick, cheap, and strong structures. Since it is a paper product, it is easily cut with a utility or exacto knife, which can yield very clean, straight or curved edges; and it is relatively light-weight. The corrugated middle was designed to have amazing compressive strength; hence it's primary use as a packaging material for all different types of goods. However, it's potential uses are quite vast. It can be used for anything ranging from simple model-making to creating useable furniture, as is shown in Frank Gehry's and Ken Horii's cardboard furniture.
Tips, Tricks & How-Tos
When building constructions with corrugated cardboard consider the direction of the corrugation. With the corrugation perpendicular to the load, it is able to hold a tremendous amount of weight. At the same time, it is hardest to fold against the corrugation. Folding the cardboard as little as possible allows for the greatest amount of strength. So a triangle tube would be stronger than a square or cylindrical tube. hot-glue is the glue of choice when working with this. It's speed and great strength make it ideal for quicker structures. Folding the cardboard against the corrugation is often tricky. By dragging the back of a utility knife along the line you wish to fold will crush the corrugation in that spot allowing for a very clean fold. You may need to make several passes to make the fold easy, but just be aware that you do not want to cut or rip into the cardboard. Cardboard can be used to create beautiful curves. The first step in creating a smooth curve in a sheet of cardboard is to make sure that the corrugation is running the right direction. The corrugation must be running perpendicular to the flow of the curve. Lets say you want to create a hollow cylinder, or a tube, using a sheet of cardboard. The ribs in the cardboard must be running vertically. Make cuts through only the first layer (the top flat linerboard), along the ridges in the corrugation. Make a cut in between every ridge. Once the entire sheet has been scored in this manner, the cardboard will bend to form a rounded shape very easily.
Not Recommended
This is usually not the right material for use in final or detailed models, especially those with complex curves.
Safety Information
Note: All safety information contained here within is pure recommendation, and its sole purpose is to help students work safer. This should in no way be considered a professional statement or a replacement for reading product information. Please read all instructions included with products before use.
Availability
Metcalf Store If you have a project; need some of this material and it is not available at the bookstore or Metcalf store please feel free to call Taylor Box in Warren, RI 401-245-5900 and they will provide you small quantities for school projects at no cost - ask for Dan or Bridget. They also have papers and other materials for packaging and portfolio projects
External Links
http://www.taylorbox.com
NOTE: All information contained within this article is pure opinion. Although this article is intended to help students, it may contain faulty or misleading information. This article is not to be considered professional opinion or advice, and is in no way a replacement for reading all safety/instructional documentation. Always remember to protect yourself when handling/using hazardous materials, as well as test new techniques before using them on projects/work intended to be handed in or used. RISDpedia and its contributers take NO responsibility for the information contained within. RISDpedia is not an official site of the Rhode Island School of Design.