PAPER TUBE

What is a Paper Tube?

• Paper tubes consist of paper or paperboard sheet layers

wound together to form strong, hollow, and usually
cylindrical shapes. The paper layers are laminated or bonded
together using adhesives. The wall thickness of the tube can
vary depending on the number of layers wrapped during
manufacturing.
Paper Tube Types and Shapes

• Paper tubes or cores can be constructed from one, two or many

plies of brown kraft paper or paperboard.
• The innermost layer or ply, the liner, and the outermost
layer, the wrap, can consist of different materials (foil, film,
etc.) or specialized paper. The specialized paper and
materials can provide water resistance, graphics or labeling,
or a specific color.
• The two main types of paper tubes and cores include spiral wound and
convolute or parallel wound paper tubes. Convolute wound tubes are
used in applications requiring high bend strength, crush resistance
and dynamic strength.
• A spiral wound tube has the paper ply or plies wrapped around at an
angle to the tube's axis. In convolute tubes, the outer two edges of the
paper strip are wrapped parallel or at a 90-degree angle to the tube‘s
axis.
• A paper core is essentially a heavy-walled paper tube. The much
thicker wall of paper cores enables their use in winding webs or sheets
of flexible material into rolls in converting operations.
Paper Tube Shapes
• The smallest ID paper tube or core size available is ¼ inch (0.25 inch)
• The largest ID paper tube size or core available is 30 inches (2 ½ feet)
• The smallest wall thickness paper tube or core size available is 0.018
inches.
• The largest wall thickness paper tube or core size available is 0.75
inches.
• The shortest paper tube or core size available is ¼ inch (0.25 inch)
• The longest paper tube or core size available is 350 inches
(approximately 29 feet)
Paper Tube and Core Advantages and Drawbacks

• Low cost – Paper is much lower in cost compared to plastic, glass and metal
• Lightweight – Paper tubes consist of lightweight material with lower density than most other packaging
materials. Unbleached kraft paper has a density of 36 to 43 lb/ft3 (0.58 to 0.69 g/cm3) whereas aluminum,
the lightest metal used in packaging, has a density of 168 lb/ft3 (2.7 g/cm3), soda lime bottling glass has a
density of 157 lb/ft3 (2.5 g/cm3), common packaging plastics (PE, PP and PET) have densities ranging from
56 to 87 lb/ft3 (0.9 to 1.4 g/cm3).
• Tough & Impact Resistant – Paper tubes are tough and impact resistant compared to packaging material like
glass and some plastics. Paper tube containers are used to protect wine and other bottles from impacts.
• Easier to Print – Paper is easier to print graphics and labeling on compared to glass, plastic or metal, which
might require special coatings, treatments or a paper label.
• Light Blocking – Paper tube container are opaque or non-transparent and can block sunlight to protect
light-sensitive foods, wines, beverage, drugs and other light-sensitive goods.
• Sustainable & Ecofriendly – Paper tubes are made from up to 100% recycled paper products and they can
be recycled.
• Proven & Evolving Technology - Well-established manufacturing processes, standards and practices are used
to control paper tube and core manufacturing technology. The paper and converting industries are
constantly evolving, developing new technologies, more efficient methods to reduce energy consumption
and waste.
• Paper tube and cores have drawbacks compared to similar products made from
metals, plastic or glass:
• Not Waterproof – Unlike plastics, glass and metals paper tubes can absorb water
and moisture in damp environments.
• Dimensional Stability – The absorption of moisture or release of moisture can cause
dimensional changes and distortion or warping.
• Lower Strength – Paper tubes and cores are not as strong as high strength metal,
fiberglass or engineered plastics.
• Dust / Tearing – Cutting edges can generate dust. Paper can fray or tear over time.
• Chew-out - Core ends can experience "chew-out" after extended use and high
loads.
• Non-transparent – Customers cannot see through the paper tube container and
view the product unless a window is added to the container.