What Is a Steel Pallet?
A pallet is a loading platform used for transportation and logistics. Pallets can be made of wood, synthetic resin, metal, or paper, and steel pallets are synonymous with metal pallets. Steel and aluminum pallets are the most common types, and they come in a variety of shapes.
Steel pallets have a high load-bearing capacity, with typical pallets usually having a load-bearing capacity of 1 ton, but many exceed that.
Sizes are manufactured according to standards established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Uses of Steel Pallets
Pallets are used for cargo storage, premises work, and transportation. They serve to reduce the burden of cargo handling operations and increase productivity. They are a prerequisite for forklift operations and an indispensable logistics material for unit load systems (a system that uses logistics equipment to handle cargo and streamline transportation, storage, etc.).
In the case of pallets without a superstructure (flat pallets), loads are placed on the platform and moved by inserting the jaws of a forklift or hand lift into the gaps between the pallets and lifting them.
Principle of Steel Pallets
Steel pallets, made of iron or aluminum, are stronger and have a higher load capacity than those made of other materials.
Wooden pallets crack and wane with use, causing increased strength and hygiene problems, but steel pallets can be used for long periods without damage.
Steel pallets are easy to clean and sterilize and are hygienic. For this reason, they are often used in food and medical logistics.
In addition, wooden pallets may bring in pests or exotic plant seeds when imported goods are brought in from abroad, which may lead to environmental destruction.
Resin pallets require expensive tooling costs to make molds that are not available in ready-made sizes, but steel pallets are less expensive and can be made in any size.
However, they are not commonly used due to their high cost and the fact that they are difficult to operate due to the considerable weight of the pallets themselves. However, with advances in technological development, inexpensive and lightweight steel pallets are beginning to appear.