For many businesses focused on temperature-sensitive products such as food, beverages, or even pharmaceutical products, cargo containers are necessary when shipping freight in large volumes. However, cargo containers provide both benefits and drawbacks, depending on the type of product you send in them. For those that ship temperature-sensitive products, this is a real problem requiring precautions like thermal quilt insulation.
Robust But Conductive
Cargo containers are made of a specific type of steel. Steel is not a “pure element” like iron or calcium, but an alloy. That is, it is a material made up of a combination of other materials. In this case, the specific alloys used in creating cargo containers result in a material known as “Corten Steel.”
Corten steel is the most common choice for building cargo containers for two reasons. It is easy to weld, making it ideal for construction, and it doesn’t require paint, ultimately saving on cost, time, and maintenance. When all of this is combined with the traditional sturdiness that steel is known for, choosing Corten steel makes a lot of sense. This material is durable, easy to work with, and can withstand even a sea storm with minimal fuss.
Unfortunately, the physical durability of Corten steel comes with a downside: thermal conductivity. Like all metals, steel is quick to absorb the temperature of the ambient environment, whether that is the frigid air of traveling through the North Atlantic or the tropical heat of a vessel exposed to the sun in the South Pacific. Because of this, cargo containers can become very hot or very cold depending on external factors, and this temperature change can be transmitted to the products inside.
Take Precautions
“Reefer units,” known as refrigerated containers, and thermal quilt insulation for individual pallets or boxes are the best way for businesses to protect against the potential temperature changes that may arise from cargo container environmental exposure.
Thermal quilt insulation, in particular, can be an important contingency measure during certain portions of the logistics chain, such as transfer periods. Reefer units are reliable during shipping, provided they have a power source to keep their refrigeration units operating. However, once the cargo is removed from the reefer unit, outdoor temperatures can take as little as two hours to impact the viability of certain temperature-sensitive products. This is where thermal quilt insulation lining the cargo provides passive protection, preserving the initial optimal shipping temperature for hours or even days.
If you’re shipping temperature-sensitive products and want more protection, contact Protek Cargo with your needs and get a quote.
