Definition
A thin, narrow strip of wood used as a secondary structural element in pallet or crate construction. Battens can reinforce joints, secure panels, or serve as spacers between components. In crating, battens are often nailed across boards to hold them together and prevent warping. They are typically thinner and narrower than standard deck boards.
Related Terms
Crate
A rigid shipping container made of wood, typically with a fully enclosed structure of walls, floor, and lid. Crates provide more protection than open pallets and are used for heavy, fragile, or high-value items such as machinery, electronics, and military equipment. Like pallets, wooden crates used in international trade must comply with ISPM-15 phytosanitary requirements. Crates are often custom-built to the exact dimensions of the product being shipped.
Deck Board
The flat boards that form the top and bottom surfaces of a pallet. Top deck boards provide the platform on which goods are placed, while bottom deck boards (also called bottom boards) provide stability and allow the pallet to be stored on flat surfaces. Deck board thickness, width, and spacing directly affect a pallet's load capacity and suitability for different applications.
Stringer
A continuous, longitudinal solid or notched board that connects and supports the deck boards of a pallet. Stringers are the structural backbone of stringer-style pallets, running the full length of the pallet and providing the framework that holds deck boards in place. Most standard 48x40 pallets use three stringers — two along the outer edges and one down the center.
Dunnage
Loose materials or custom-cut pieces of wood, foam, or other materials placed around and between cargo to prevent damage during storage and transport. In the pallet industry, dunnage refers specifically to wood pieces used to brace, cushion, or separate products on a pallet or inside a shipping container. Like pallets, solid wood dunnage used in international shipping must comply with ISPM-15 requirements.
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