Are you interested in learning more about the components that go into building shipping containers? If you look around, you may find new shipping containers for sale everywhere. While their initial purpose was to securely carry cargo over the sea, they are now used as offices, houses, cafés, swimming pools, and more. Given that we live in a constantly evolving world, it really shouldn’t be as much of a surprise as it is.
Shipping containers are available in a wide range of sizes and configurations. But do you know how they’re made? This page explains how shipping containers are built and their components.
What Are New Shipping Containers Made Of?
A shipping container comprises cargo doors, corrugated wall panels, frames, and cross members. Corten steel is used to make all of these components.
Corten steel, often weathering steel, is the most common material for shipping containers. But why is corten steel used?
Corten steel is unique because it doesn’t need a coating to avoid rusting. It is the only category of steel alloys that is immune to rust. As a result, container makers choose Corten steel since it does not need painting. Furthermore, it is weldable.
Shipping Container Components
Most manufacturers of new shipping containers for sale will include the following one-of-a-kind characteristics in their products:
Corner Castings
Corner castings are corner posts at every junction where two corrugated wall panels meet. You can recognize a junction by the presence of corner castings.
The poles are strengthened to guarantee that the container is well-supported. Corner castings generally feature apertures to connect new shipping containers for sale to secure points or other containers. These openings provide a twist-lock connection.
Furthermore, corner castings are intended to be sturdy enough to enable practical crane rigging, achievable whether the container is empty or filled.
Twist Locks
Twist locks are parts used to securely link new shipping containers for sale to other containers or points of connection. You can elevate and lock the container to a truck or any other desirable position after inserting its end piece into the corner casting.
Cross Members
When building new shipping containers for sale, the manufacturers support the floor using beams or joists referred to as cross members.
In addition to providing support, the cross members guarantee a space is left between the ground and the flooring. As a result, the container floor is not exactly on the ground. This is critical for preventing moisture from the ground underneath from entering the container.
Have you ever wondered why many container buildings lack a foundation? Due to shipping container cross members, they will only have it if the container is a ground-level house or office. The cross members elevate the structure, limiting natural wear and tear.
Forklift Pockets
Use forklifts to insert the tines into the pockets to transport or raise the containers.
It is worth mentioning, however, that there are buildings with modifications that make forklift lifting risky and improper. Furthermore, owing to changes, certain shipping containers, such as modified 40-foot containers, weigh more. Forklifts may be incapable of supporting such weight.
Cargo Doors
Two steel doors are located at one end of a shipping container. However, in certain containers, the cargo doors are on both ends or side walls.
Originally, the doors were constructed for security and weather resistance purposes. They mitigate the weather effects and theft of items inside the containers.
The doors also include a locking function that container users are familiar with. New users should consider familiarising themselves with the cargo doors to understand how to open them.
Falcon Plate
A falcon plate is comparable to a CSC plate but exclusive to Falcon Structures. Falcon Structures is a shipping container manufacturer. They have changed container requirements that they examine to guarantee they are cargo-worthy and safe.
Marine-Grade Plywood Flooring
The most frequent form of flooring found in shipping containers is marine-grade plywood flooring. Container producers inject tiny amounts of pesticides into the container’s flooring to prevent pests and insects from entering. You also don’t have to worry about the pesticides impacting you since they only kill the six-legged hungry stowaways wanting to join your container’s voyage.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring has lately replaced marine plywood flooring as the material of choice among manufacturers. This is because bamboo flooring can be purchased at a reasonable price and is readily available in many different places.
Additionally, bamboo has several advantages. It is, for example, long-lasting and mildew-resistant. Furthermore, since bamboo is a natural resource, it is widely accessible.
In Summary
New shipping containers for sale are significant in global business, maritime operations, and logistics. With global trade activity on the rise, shipping container output can only rise.
The structures’ simplicity makes them simple to change. This explains why, in recent years, individuals have been transforming into highly effective working, job site storage, and residential environments. They’re simple to set up, adaptable, and very adjustable. You may add a container’s windows, doors, lights, and temperature control.