What effect does temperature have on the performance of plastic storage boxes

Plastic storage boxes are widely used in logistics, warehousing, industry and households due to their excellent properties such as lightness, durability and waterproofness. However, temperature, as an important environmental factor, has a significant impact on the physical and chemical properties of plastic storage boxes, which in turn affects their application effect and service life.

Changes in material properties
There are many types of plastic materials, mainly including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc. These materials behave differently under temperature changes, as follows:
In low-temperature environments, the toughness of most plastic materials is significantly reduced. For example, polyethylene increases its brittleness under conditions close to zero degrees, and is prone to cracking or breakage. This brittleness significantly increases the risk of breakage during transportation and use, especially under refrigerated or frozen conditions.
Relatively speaking, in high-temperature environments, plastic materials may soften, deform or lose their original load-bearing capacity. Polypropylene is very likely to deform significantly when it exceeds its heat deformation temperature, which in turn affects its stacking and storage performance. Long-term exposure to high-temperature environments will reduce the physical properties of plastics, which will not only shorten the service life of the storage box, but may also affect its storage function.

Thermal expansion and contraction
Thermal expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes have a significant impact on the sealing and structural integrity of plastic storage boxes.
When the temperature rises, plastic materials will expand. If the design of the storage box does not fully take this property into account, it may cause the box to deform or the seal to fail, which will affect the safety of the stored items. Especially when storing liquids or items that are susceptible to moisture, the seal failure may cause leakage or contamination.
Conversely, when the temperature drops, the plastic material will shrink. This shrinkage may cause a gap between the storage box and the items inside, increasing the risk of items moving inside the box, and may even cause items to be damaged or lost.

Strength and toughness effects
Temperature has a direct impact on the strength and toughness of plastic storage boxes.
In high temperature environments, the molecular chains of plastic materials may relax, resulting in a decrease in their load-bearing capacity. This means that under high temperature conditions, storage boxes are more likely to deform or break when carrying heavy objects. At the same time, the toughness of plastics is significantly reduced in low temperature environments, increasing the risk of breakage. Plastic storage boxes at low temperatures are more likely to break if they are impacted or dropped during transportation.

Impact on service life
Temperature changes not only affect the immediate performance of plastic storage boxes, but also have a profound impact on their long-term service life.
Under the combined effects of high temperature and ultraviolet rays, the aging process of plastic materials will be accelerated, causing changes in their physical and chemical properties. This aging phenomenon may cause the storage box to fade in color, have a rough surface, and lose strength, further shortening its service life.