Metal Core Trays vs. Plastic Core Trays

Pros

Sturdily built
Can easily be manufactured in custom lengths and sizes

Cons

Very susceptible to either freezing or burning your hands, depending on the prevailing climate
Sulfide ores react to the metal which can cause corrosion, contamination and core loss
Heavy to lift
Unstable stacking functionality
Can have sharp edges leading to lost-time injuries

Conclusion

There is a valid reason that we see the use of metal boxes drop dramatically. While they’ve served us well historically, our research shows their days are numbered.

Why try plastic core trays?

Plastic core trays are not new technology, but aside from having a proven track record of durability, it has evolved into more than a basic core sample container. More and more innovations are built into the plastic core tray that are eliminating entire sections of the downstream processes that in turn lead to savings in money and man-hours.

Pros

It’s been proven in high (140°F/60°C) and low (-58°F/-50°C) temperatures around the world
Designed to be stacked in pallets and left outside for the entire life of the mine
The expense of building a storage shed or having racking is completely removed
Chemically inert product, not susceptible to sulfide corrosion
Lightweight to carry
High-impact resistant and built to last
Not susceptible to termites or rotting
No need to DIY assemble the trays on site

Cons

As they are not flat-pack, they can be a little bulkier, leading to higher transport costs
You are limited to the sizes the manufacturer offers, as the injection mold tooling is expensive to set up

Conclusion

With the Pros vastly outweighing the Cons, it’s no surprise that the
plastic core trays is steadily becoming the most predominant form
of storing and transporting core across the globe.