The shipping containers are being used to transport goods from one part of the globe to the other. Have you ever wondered what makes containers so solid and reliable that they can safely transport your precious cargo across the ocean? Well, it is their corrugated steel walls that make the shipment process a lot easier for everyone.

The walls of cargo containers have a wavy pattern because they undergo the process of corrugation. Corrugated metal has been used in the manufacturing of shipping containers for a very long time because it is solid, durable, corrosion resistant, and easily installed by semi-skilled workers. Also, it is lightweight, making the transportation process very effortless. 

Here in this blog, we will explore the benefits of using corrugated steel shipping containers.

Components of a shipping container

A shipping container is manufactured using a few structural components that maintain strength and rigidity. Corrugated wall panels, cargo doors, corner castings, twist locks, cross members, marine-grade plywood or bamboo flooring, and the CSC plate are the integral components of the container.

These parts of the shipping container are made using Corten steel, also called weathering steel. The shipping container manufacturers prefer Corten steel over any metal because it is highly durable, solid, and rust resistant.

What is corrugated steel?

The repeating patterns or waves you see across the steel shipping container are called corrugated steel. They are implemented to make cargo containers more reliable and to improvise their structure. Corrugated metal sheets are typically made using a cold-form process, making the plain metal sheets thicker and more robust. This design has become popular due to its capacity to be prefabricated, and besides, people with minimal abilities can easily install it during the building or construction of containers.

Why do shipping containers have corrugated walls rather than plain walls?

The corrugated metal sheet provides more strength to the overall structure of the cargo container than the plain metal sheet because of its design. It’s the same principle as a sheet of paper. When you hold a paper sheet from one end, it flops down because of the insufficient strength to prevent it from bending. The same applied to the metal sheets too. If the metal sheet is stretched across a long direction and isn’t very deep or thick, it’ll deflect and sag within the centre. With the help of corrugation, metal sheets are made thicker and deeper. The deeper the metal sheet is, the lesser it will deflect. 

Key benefits of using corrugated steel

Durability 

One of the most significant benefits of using corrugated steel is its durability. As mentioned earlier, the shipping containers are made using one of the most robust materials, Corten steel, which is highly durable and long-lasting. These shipping containers can easily withstand extreme climatic conditions and hold almost any weight to impact load.

No decay 

No organic material is used while manufacturing the corrugated steel, thus making them immune to insect infestation. Therefore, corrugated boxes are among the safest and sturdiest options for transporting your valuable goods across the ocean.  

Minimal maintenance 

Corrugated steel is one of the most unchallenging materials to maintain. Due to its durability and resistance, they don’t require timely cleaning or heavy responsibility cleansing products. As a substitute, most outdoors corrugated metal applications just want an annual look-over because of their uncovered fastener device. All you need to do is an excellent rinse and light wipe-down in case of visible rust patches. 

Rust resistance 

As shipping units spend most of their life span in the ocean, they ought to be made water-tight and hence are cautiously welded at joints to be water-tight. Due to the fact they are water-tight, it takes a much longer time for the rust to to detract from the corrugated metal container.

Versatile nature 

Corrugated steel shipping containers have the capacity to be used in endless exceptional approaches. From barns and roofing to accent walls and wainscoting, there are numerous ways to use a corrugated material.

Eco Friendly and reusable 

Most corrugated steel shipping containers are eco-friendly and recyclable. After serving their time at sea for around 10-12 years, they can be refurbished and reused as office spaces, storage, cafes, restaurants, and many more.

Light weight

As compared to construction materials like concrete and masonry, corrugated metal is known to be very lightweight. Because of this factor, corrugated metal can be transported effortlessly and economically.

Longevity

Like other metal and steel products, corrugated steel shipping containers also have a long-life span. Regardless of how you operate it —in the sea or using it as an alternative for storage, workshop, garage etc. — you could count on it to last between 30 years- 50 years. The longevity of a cargo unit extends even further when the steel isn’t exposed to harsh weather, climate, or other hazardous elements.

Fire resistance 

Using corrugated steel also prevents the metal shipping container from uncertain events like fire. The corrugated metal sheets are non-flammable and do not add to the fuel supply of the burning cargo that might be placed inside the cargo containers.

Drawbacks of using a corrugated steel

Stacking corrugated metal shipping containers on top of each other is a very common activity in the container depot, terminal, and during transit. Reckless stacking can cause the cargo container to suffer severe dents. Moreover, frequent sea trips put the container at risk of getting dents and damage to the shipping containers. The container with excessive dents becomes more vulnerable to rust.

Corrugated steel is a good conductor of heat and thus doesn’t prevent the heat from passing through it. Due to this very reason, temperature-sensitive goods can’t be transported using the standard container. Only reefer containers are deemed fit for shipment of perishable goods. Also, if you decide to reuse the container for building a home, it will require extra insulation to maintain the temperature.

Solid corrugated steel is the significant reason behind the transportation of goods safely and securely across the globe. The corrugated pattern on a shipping container strengthens it and upgrades its structural integrity. Using corrugated metal in the construction of shipping containers provides us with plenty of benefits such as durability, low maintenance, prevention of rust, lack of decay, etc. Along with numerous benefits, there come certain drawbacks like rusting and lack of insulation. After analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of corrugated steel sheets, it is clear that the good outweighs the bad.
Buying and selling corrugated steel shipping containers have now been made easy with BOXXPORT. We are one of the leading digital platforms that let you trade from the comfort of your home. As a well-known shipping container trading company, we always ensure that our customers get the best quality products at affordable prices.