How to Choose an Air Dunnage Bag Size

Start From the Gap Not From the Container

The most common sourcing mistake with dunnage bags is buying by container type. Containers do not have a standard void; pallet dimensions and load plans do. Measure the widest gap your load plan actually leaves between pallets, or between the load and the container wall, and select from that number.

Match the Void Fill Range

Each model has a void fill range. Across the range from AW-0510 to AW-1224 that runs from 100 mm to 600 mm. A 500*1000 mm bag fills 100 to 250 mm, a 600 mm wide bag fills 100 to 300 mm, an 800 mm bag fills 100 to 400 mm, a 1000 mm bag fills 100 to 500 mm and a 1200 mm bag fills 100 to 600 mm. A bag operating outside its range either cannot be inflated properly or cannot brace the load.

Then Match the Cargo Height

The bag also has to cover the height of the cargo face it is bracing, otherwise the top of the load can still tip. Cargo height by model runs from 900 mm on the AW-0510 up to 2300 mm on the AW-1224. Pick the bag length that comes closest to the height of the stack without exceeding it.

Check the Bearing Strength Last

Bearing strength runs from 2.5 T to 7 T across the range, and the bags are used with loads up to 20 tons. In practice the void and the height decide the model and the bearing strength follows. It is worth checking rather than assuming, particularly for dense loads on the smaller bag sizes.

Do Not Over-Inflate

Working pressure must not exceed 0.2 Bar, which is the same as 20 kPa or 2.8 PSI. Over-inflation is the most common cause of a burst bag, and it usually happens because the operator is judging by feel. An inflator with a pressure setting removes the judgement from the job.

Kraft Paper or PP Woven

Kraft paper bags are multi-layer, with kraft paper and PE film outside and PA film inside to hold air pressure, and they recycle with paper waste at destination. PP woven bags suit repeated use and rougher handling. Both are provided with a multi-use valve so the bag can be used several times.