For thousands of years, architects have known that an arch with a proper curve is the best and strongest way to span any given space. When corrugated boxes began to be manufactured, they used these same principles to the paper medium. These arches, which are commonly referred to as flutes, are adhered to the outer sheets (linerboard) with a starch based adhesive and are resistant to bending and pressure from all directions. The "Flute" describes the structure of the wave shaped cardboard material that makes up a board's corrugation. Flutes come in several sizes, known as flute profiles. The standard profiles range from A-flute (the largest) to F-flute and below (microflutes).Flutes determine the different thicks and thins of corrugated as well as strengths. Flutes are typically measured by A, B, C, D, E & F. The flutes are sandwiched between the linerboard's. As you can see from the illustration the flutes are thickest at grade A. and compact more and more up until F
Generally, larger flutes provide greater strength and cushioning, while smaller flutes have better printability and foldability. Flute profiles can be mixed and matched within a single piece of combined board. CE double wall is durable because of its C-flute layer, while its E-flute layer provides a smooth printing surface. A sheet of material can be made of different thickness of board to manipulate printability, compression and cushioning strengths.