Some users are confusing about how are the pallets classified and how to choose for their cases, now we offer 3 vital factors for your reference: Pallet Material, Pallet Design, and Pallet Production Method.
1.Pallet Material
Generally speaking, plastic pallets are made from PP or HDPE, so we call them PP Pallets or HDPE Pallets. Below is the packing picture of PP material
Pallets made from PP are usually suggested to used in higher temperatures areas or environments, such as Southeast Asia, Central America, and Central African.
Below is the picture of HDPE material
Pallets made from HDPE are usually suggested to use in lower temperatures areas or environments, such as Russia, Europe, America, Canada, or cold storage. In fact, no matter which material be chosen, they will be modified with some supplements, such as modifier, flexibility, antioxidant, and so on. Here we list some properties of PP and HDPE as follows.
| PP | HDPE |
| Semi-rigid | Flexible |
| Translucent | Translucent/waxy |
| Good chemical resistance | Weatherproof |
| Tough | Good low-temperature toughness (to -60'C) |
| Good fatigue resistance | Easy to process by most methods |
| Integral hinge property | Low cost |
| Good heat resistance | Good chemical resistance |
PP does not present stress-cracking problems and offers excellent electrical and chemical resistance at higher temperatures. While the properties of PP are similar to those of Polyethylene, there are specific differences. These include a lower density, higher softening point (PP doesn't melt below 160oC, Polyethylene, a more common plastic, will anneal at around 100oC), and higher rigidity and hardness. Additives are applied to all commercially produced polypropylene resins to protect the polymer during processing and to enhance end-use performance.
2.Pallet Design
Generally speaking, plastic pallets can be roughly classified into four kinds, First, three runners bottom type, which is mostly used on racks and transportation; Second, full perimeter bottom type (window crossed bottom or picture frame bottom), this type pallet are used in a wide range, including on racks, for transportation, and for stacking; Third, reversible pallets(double-faced pallets), mostly used for stacking and on racks. Fourth,9 feet bottom type or 7 feet bottom type (light-duty pallets or export use pallets), which are mainly used for export or transportation without callback.
3.Pallet Production Method
Injection molding pallets, which are the most popular pallets.
Blow molding pallets, which are mostly used for stacking and transportation, especially in the chemical and food industry. Blister pallets, which are usually used for light-duty transportation, such as air transport. For more information relative to plastic pallets, contact us, visit our website and find below.