Lesson #5: Comparison of molded insulated shipping containers and those using panel insulation
Insulation is a critical component of a thermal system, which slows down the heat transfer between the product and the environment.
There is two main types of insulation, molded and panels (also known as cut sheets or fabricated). The main difference between the two types is the construction of the box, rather than the materials used. In most cases, insulation of the same material type can be found in both molded or panel form.
Molded insulated shippers: these shippers are typically composed of two matching components (body and lid) which provides the greatest insulating integrity, especially when subjected to drop and vibration forces. These containers often require tooling and are not typically collapsible. The most popular materials for molded shippers are Expanded Polysterene (EPS) and polyurethane.
The following are examples of typical molded shippers:
Panel insulated shippers: these shippers are typically composed of six matching components (sides, ends and top/bottom) and are more likely to be subject to increased thermal losses at the corners, especially when subjected to drop and vibration forces. These containers do not require tooling and are collapsible.
The following are examples of typical panel shippers:
