Date of Award
8-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Packaging Science
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Gregory Batt
Committee Member
Dr. Duncan Darby
Committee Member
Dr. William Bridges
Abstract
Dunnage airbags are an increasingly popular choice for securing cargo. During transit, changes in ambient temperature and pressure can cause airbags to expand generating damaging horizontal compressive forces in the trailer or container. Previous studies have developed numerical models for the behavior of Kraft paper and woven polypropylene fabric dunnage airbags under standard conditions but do not account for the behavior of airbags under varied altitudes and temperatures. This study provides empirical data on the internal gauge pressure and restraining force dynamics of 4-ply Kraft, woven polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride airbags under simulated altitude and temperature conditions. Tensile testing characterizes the mechanical properties of the airbag's structural layer. New and recently reinflated dunnage airbags are subjected to a simulated altitude increase by dropping the ambient pressure for a one-hour dwell test and in-transit simulation. Additionally, new dunnage airbags are subjected to one-hour temperature dwell tests and a 72-hour warm temperature cycling test. A performance trade-off emerged between stiff, 4-ply Kraft airbags which exerted high restraining forces and excellent pressure retention and ductile polyvinyl chloride airbags which responded to internal gauge pressure changes by growing in volume; woven polypropylene airbags exhibited intermediate behavior. These findings enable an informed decision of what material airbag to employ, addressing the dual risks of over-pressurization during ascents and warming which can lead to product damage or burst airbags and loss of internal gauge pressure during descent and cooling which can leave loads unsecured.
Recommended Citation
Weaver, Charles R., "Effects of Variation in Altitude and Temperature on the Restraining Force and Internal Gauge Pressure of Constrained Dunnage Airbags" (2025). All Theses. 4583.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4583