This FAQ section will provide you with some of the basics to assist you in using the right Hard Angle.


What is Hard Angle?
Hard Angle is manufactured from multiple plys of Recycled paper, which are laminated with glue and formed into a ridged right angle.


What does Hard Angle Do?
Hard Angle provides excellent product protection when the right sized product is specified for the application.


How is Hard Angle Measured?
Hard Angle is described in terms of its Leg Lengths, the Caliper or Thickness and the Length of the Board.

A & B: Leg Lengths   C: Thickness or Caliper    D: Board Length


What are the Leg Lengths?
Even Leg sizes are: 2 x 2, 2.5 x 2.5, 3 x 3, and 4 x 4

Offset Leg sizes are: 1 x 3, 2 x 3, and 2 x 4


What does Caliper mean?
Caliper refers to the thickness of the Hard Angle and is measured in points, which are one thousandth of an inch.

Standard Calipers are: .090, .120, .140, .160, .180, .200, .225, .250, .320, .400 and .500

All other calipers are available as a special order, generally at no up charge.


What are Board Lengths?
Hard Angle lengths longer than 12 inches are considered Cut to Length and are priced PER FOOT.

Hard Angle standard lengths range from 12 inches to 144 inches or longer. Over 144" would be a special order and are ordered in inches, to the nearest 1/8^th of an inch.

Lengths shorter than 6 inches are called Cut Strap Protectors and are priced Per Thousand Pieces.


What do I use Hard Angle For?
There are three common applications for Hard Angle. They are called: Unitization, Stacking and Strap Protection.


What is Unitization?
Hard Angle when used with stretch film or strapping helps to create a tighter more secure load by increasing tension transmission at the corners forming a tight square cube. This will help to prevent damage by reducing shifting during transportation and handling.


What do I need to know to use the right Hard Angle?
To determine the proper Hard Angle to use you must know:
  1. The weight of the palletized product.
  2. If the Angle will be secured to the pallet or will it rest on it.
  3. What method will the product be secured by, plastic or steel strapping
      or stretch film.

The most common size used for this application is 3 x 3 x .225. This is NOT necessarily the proper size to continue to use if this is an existing application, or to specify, if this is a new application. You can benefit and save money if we can determine that the angle is oversized for the application. If the weight of the product is not excessive, you can down-gauge to a thinner Hard Angle. To find out please contact us.


How can I use Hard Angle to increase the Stacking Strength of my Package?
Hard Angle when used vertically at the corners reinforces loads helping the "package" to bear the weight of product stacked above it. This allows for increased stacking heights allowing for better utilization of available warehouse space.


What do I need to know to determine the proper Hard Angle to use?
  1. The weight of the palletized load.
  2. The method of securement of the load, stretch film or strapping.
  3. How many pallets will be stacked per column?

For MOST applications a .225 is adequate. It can support approximately 600 lbs. per piece. This means the bottom pallet can hold up approximately 2400 lbs.

A .400 can support approximately 1000 lbs. per piece. This means the bottom pallet can hold up approximately 4000 lbs. For our product to perform properly the top of the angle should NOT exceed the top of the "package" by more than an inch. Also the product stacked above it MUST rest squarely on all four angles. The Hard Angles should ALL be the same length and be at the same height for the product above to stack safely and straight. You must insure enough stretch film and/or the proper strapping is used to securely fasten the Hard Angle to the product.

If you are not certain of which Hard Angle to specify please contact us.


What is Strap Protection?
Strapping with steel or plastic strapping applied by hand or mechanically improves load stability but at maximum tension can crush product at the edges.

Hard Angle placed under the strapping protects the product but allows maximum tension without damage to the load.


What is the Proper Hard Angle to use?
The right Hard Angle to use can be determined by a few simple questions.
  1. What is the product? Is it a hard dense cube like a stack of cut paper or
      a less stable or strong product?
  2. Will the strapping be plastic or steel?
  3. How is the strapping applied, mechanically or by hand?

Do you want to gain additional product protection offered by an off-leg such as a 2 x 3 or 2 x 4 or a larger size such as a 4 x 4? The off-leg will help during application by staying in place during strapping.

In using Hard Angle for Strap Protection the caliper of the board to use will vary depending on the tension applied and the product that is being protected. With higher tension the Hard Angle will need to be thicker to prevent damage to the product and to prevent the ends of the board bowing upward. Generally a .180 or a .225 is sufficient to protect a product from strapping damage. If you are unsure which caliper Hard Angle to use Please contact us.


What are the Benefits of using Hard Angle for Strap Protection?
Allows the maximum tension to be applied without damage, which provides superior load stability.


What is Corner and Edge Protection?
When Hard Angle is applied to the outer corners and edges of a palletized load it provides superior product protection throughout the transportation and warehouse process.

When used on the vertical edges Hard Angle protects finished goods from damage in shipping and storage.

Placed on the top edge, it will protect product damage from fork blades and crushing by stacked loads above.


Which Hard Angle should I use for Corner and Edge Protection?
To determine the proper Hard Angle to protect your product you need to answer a few questions:
  1. What is the product? Is it a hard dense package like a stack of cut metal
      sheets or a less stable or strong product such as a cube of boxes?
  2. Will the package be stretch-filmed or strapped and will the strapping be
      plastic or steel?
  3. How is the strapping applied, mechanically or by hand?

Just as with all the previous applications thickness and leg length of the Hard Angle used depends on the amount of product protection you want for your product! If the packaged product will encounter higher abuse during warehousing and transportation you should specify a thicker Hard Angle with wider legs, such as a 3 x 3 x .225. This will give your product good corner and edge protection. If your packages are not at risk for high abuse a thinner Hard Angle with narrower legs could be specified.

If you are not sure which Hard Angle size or thickness to use Please contact us.


What are the Benefits of using Hard Angle for Corner and Edge Protection?
Hard Angle provides cost effective product protection by absorbing impacts that would otherwise damage loads. This will help prevent returned goods.