In addition to providing protection, cultural relic protection boxes now also serve functions such as storage, transportation, and even display. However, the materials previously used for such boxes often present limitations, which restrict their effectiveness. With the advancement of carbon fiber composite materials and a decrease in production costs, carbon fiber is now playing a crucial role in cultural relic protection, leveraging its inherent advantages.

 

1. Traditional Materials and Their Issues

1.1 Traditional Natural Materials (Wood, Cardboard)

Common materials include nanmu, rosewood, manure-based cardboard, and corrugated cardboard, often with silk or cotton fabric on the surface. main Problems as below:

 Toxic Contaminants: Adhesives and untreated wood release acidic substances or volatile organic compounds, which can corrode cultural relics.

 Physical Performance: These materials are weak, prone to moisture-induced deformation, and lack insect and fire resistance, making them vulnerable during transport.

 Inadequate Sealing: Gaps easily allow dust and moisture to enter, failing to maintain a stable internal microenvironment.

1.2 Modern Synthetic Materials (Acid-free Paper, Engineering Plastics)

Material Types: Acid-free paper, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), etc.Main Problems:

²  Limited Strength and Durability: Plastics are prone to aging and cracking, while acid-free paper has poor resistance to compression and impact.

²  Single Function: Lacking environmental monitoring or anti-theft capabilities, these materials rely on external tags for artifact information management, which is inefficient.

1.3 Other Composite Materials (Rotomolded Boxes, etc.)

Rotomolded plastic, main Problems: These boxes are relatively heavy (60% heavier than carbon fiber) and may deform over long-term use.

2. Carbon Fiber Cultural Relic Protection Boxes as a Solution

Carbon fiber composite materials, through their unique properties and structural design, provide systematic solutions to the issues associated with traditional materials:

2.1 Improved Material Safety

²  Non-toxic and Environmentally Friendly:** The use of epoxy resin and carbon fiber composites eliminates the presence of acidic substances or volatile pollutants, preventing chemical damage to relics.

²  Optimized Contact Layers:** The interior is lined with polyethylene foam (PE) or IXPE eco-friendly foam, and the areas in direct contact with the relics are wrapped in acid-free soft bags, providing dual isolation from harmful substances.

2.2 Breakthrough Physical Protection Performance

²  High Strength and Lightweight: Carbon fiber has a tensile strength 7–9 times that of steel, with a density of only 1.6 g/cm³, reducing the box weight by up to 60%, which minimizes transportation risks.

²  Box Construction: The box body is molded in one piece, with reinforced edges (e.g., flying edges and stepped locking clasps), significantly improving its resistance to compression and impact.

²  Multi-Environmental Protection:Moisture and Fire Resistance: Carbon fiber is corrosion resistant and flame-retardant (UL94 V-0), effectively blocking moisture and fire hazards.

Sealing Design: The box's flying edges, combined with a soft pad on the lid, form a sealed chamber, or for specific cases (e.g., wall painting boxes), an interlocking groove with a silicone seal is used, effectively preventing dust and insects.

3. Integration of Smart Features

Carbon fiber relic boxes are also equipped with environmental monitoring functions, including built-in temperature and humidity sensors (accuracy ±0.3℃ / ±2%RH) and displacement sensors, enabling real-time monitoring and alerts for abnormal environmental changes.

Smart features like anti-theft protection are integrated, with a lid alarm system. The lid's submodule communicates wirelessly with the main module, triggering an alert if unauthorized opening occurs. Additionally, RFID electronic tags allow for artifact identification from a distance of ≥2 meters, enabling inventory tracking without opening the box.

 In summary, the key advantages of carbon fiber cultural relic protection boxes include:

 1.Comprehensive Protective Performance

Nine types of protection: shockproof, moisture-proof, fire-proof, insect-proof, anti-theft, dust-proof, light-proof, pollution-proof, and high-temperature resistant.

 2. Longevity and Lightweight Design

The lifespan can exceed 30 years, and the weight is only one-third that of traditional wooden boxes, reducing storage and transportation burdens.

 3. Functionality and Expansion

Supports the "exhibit and store in one" design (e.g., low-reflection glass windows for wall painting boxes), enabling exhibition without opening the box.

 By utilizing carbon fiber materials and innovative structural designs, as well as integrating intelligent features, carbon fiber cultural relic protection boxes systematically address the pollution, fragility, and single-function limitations of traditional containers. These smart protection boxes have become irreplaceable in the preservation of high-end artifacts, such as wall paintings, bronze ware, and silk.

Jiangsu YOO-BETTER has developed and supplies a range of carbon fiber cultural relic protection boxes (carbon fiber pouches) and has extensive experience in this field. For product design consultations, feel free to contact us via sophiashi@yoo-better.com or sophiashi.cross@gmail.com