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Bags 101

   Bulk bags are usually constructed of plastic fabrics.  The majority of which are made of woven polypropylene due to it’s low cost and high strength.  The woven fabric is manufactured in three basic strengths, identified by the weight of one square yard of material : 5 oz., 6.5 oz., and 8 oz.  In general a bag of 5 oz. Material can safely carry aprox. 1800-2200 lbs of material, a 6.5 oz. Bag aprox. 2500-3000 lbs., and an 8 oz. Bag aprox. 3500-4000 lbs. Depending on bag construction.  For moisture protection and added durability the fabrics can be laminated with polyethylene, usually ½ mil thick.  Modern bulk bags are manufactured with either 5:1 or 6:1 safety factors.  All bags are manufactured with a SWL (safe working load) rating (i.e. #2500 max.).  Using the lbs/cu.ft. rating of your product and the total cu.ft capacity of the bag, you can determine how much the bag will weigh when full.  That number should never exceed the SWL rating of the bag.  The most common sizes are 35”x 35” length and width (aprox. 44”x 44” filled) because it fits well on most standard size pallets and fits side by side in a truck.  41”x 41” length and width (aprox.51”x 51” filled) is popular for rail shipping because they fit two wide (will not fit two wide in truck).  These are however by no means the only sizes available.       

   There are two basic types of construction.  Circular bags with sewn in tops and bottoms and U-panel bags with one piece of fabric used for two sides and the bottom and two side panels sewn in.  Bulk bags are filled from the top and discharged from the bottom.  Most have a fill spout made of flexible 3oz. material and a discharge tube secured by a drawstring.  Some have a duffel top for easier filling with some methods.  If you have more questions about bag options please call us we always have time to talk bags!