180 G/M² FIBC Fabric Mineral FIBC Bulk Bag With Four-Loop Side-Seam Design

180 g/m² FIBC Fabric Mineral FIBC Bulk Bag with Four-Loop Side-Seam Design

Mineral FIBC bags must withstand material weight, lateral body expansion and concentrated forces around the lifting-loop attachment areas. Fabric weight alone is therefore not sufficient to determine whether a bulk bag is suitable for a particular mineral.

This Mineral FIBC Bulk Bag uses 180 g/m² white uncoated fabric and has nominal dimensions of 90 × 90 × 90 cm. Its specified load capacity is 1200 kg.

The construction includes four side-seam lifting loops, minimum fabric-strength requirements in both woven directions and a defined double-needle stitching method.

Concentrated Loads in Mineral Bulk Packaging

Minerals and ore particles often have relatively high bulk density. After filling, the material applies a vertical load to the bottom while also pushing outward against the side panels.

During lifting, these forces must travel from the bottom and side walls into the loop attachment areas. If the connection between the body and the loops is too limited, local stress may develop around the loop roots or body seams.

Uneven filling can also change the load distribution. If the material is concentrated on one side, or the four loops have inconsistent lengths, some lifting points may become loaded earlier than others.

A technical assessment should therefore consider more than the statement “180 g/m² heavy fabric.” Directional fabric strength, loop configuration, seam design and complete-bag testing must also be reviewed.

Why Fabric GSM Does Not Equal Bag Capacity

The 180 g/m² value describes the mass of fabric per unit area. It is an important material-control parameter, but it does not independently define tensile strength or complete-bag capacity.

Fabrics with the same GSM may use different tape structures, weaving densities and manufacturing tension. These differences can affect their strength in the warp and weft directions.

For this bag, both warp and weft strengths are specified at no less than 1600 N. Warp strength is relevant to longitudinal loading, while weft strength helps the body control lateral expansion after filling.

Controlling both directions provides more useful evidence than fabric weight alone. However, the ≥1600 N values remain base-fabric requirements and should not be described as the safe working load of the complete bag.

How the Four Side-Seam Loops Transfer the Load

The bag is fitted with four soft lifting loops. Each loop has a specified width of 7 cm, a cutting specification of 7 × 145 cm and a linear weight of 50 g/m.

The lifting-loop strength is specified at ≥18000 N. Each loop is positioned along a side seam and sewn downward from the upper edge together with the bag body.

The intended load path can be described as:

Mineral load → bag bottom and side panels → warp and weft fabric → body seams → side-seam loops → lifting equipment

Extending the loops along the side seams increases the area through which lifting forces enter the body. It reduces reliance on a short connection located only around the upper edge.

This design does not mean that one loop can carry the complete bag. All four loops should participate in lifting, and the actual load distribution can be affected by loop length, lifting angle and material position.

The Function of Double-Needle Chain Stitching

The main body panels use an outward-folded double-needle chain stitch. The two parallel sewing lines provide continuous joining paths between the separate fabric panels.

The folded construction prevents an untreated cut edge from acting as the only loaded edge. The top edge of the bag is outward-folded and finished with a single stitch line.

A named sewing method does not replace production inspection. Stitch density, sewing-thread specification, thread tension, skipped stitches and the sewing length around the loop attachment areas should still be checked.

Where a project has defined lifting requirements, seam inspection should be combined with complete-bag testing rather than relying only on visual examination.

Main Specifications

These figures describe the material and construction requirements available in the production sheet. They should not be expanded into a 5:1, 6:1 or UN-certified claim without the relevant complete-bag test evidence.

Materials and Operating Conditions

This uncoated FIBC can be evaluated for dry mineral particles compatible with its dimensions, specified capacity and body construction.

In mineral-processing facilities, the four-loop design can be used with suitable forklifts or lifting equipment. Forklift tines should be smooth and free from sharp edges that could cut or abrade the loop webbing.

For warehouse storage and road transport, the filled dimensions should also be considered. The nominal 90 × 90 cm footprint does not necessarily represent the maximum width after filling.

Uncoated fabric does not provide a verified waterproof or moisture barrier. Minerals that are sensitive to moisture may require a PE liner, coated fabric or external weather protection.

Fine mineral powder may escape through woven gaps or sewing needle holes. Coating, a liner or sift-resistant seams should be evaluated where powder containment is required.

Sharp-edged ore pieces may create local puncture and abrasion risks. A fabric weight of 180 g/m² does not independently prove suitability for every sharp or irregular material.

What Should Be Confirmed Before Ordering?

Calculate Volume From Bulk Density

A 90 × 90 × 90 cm body has a theoretical geometric volume of approximately 0.729 m³. The preliminary volume requirement can be calculated as:

Required volume (m³) = filling weight (kg) ÷ bulk density (kg/m³)

For example, 1200 kg of material with a bulk density of 1800 kg/m³ requires approximately 0.667 m³.

At a bulk density of 1400 kg/m³, the same weight requires approximately 0.857 m³. This exceeds the bag’s theoretical geometric volume, so the same size cannot accommodate 1200 kg of every mineral.

Match the Fabric Finish to the Material

Dry, relatively coarse and non-moisture-sensitive material may be evaluated for an uncoated FIBC.

Fine powder, moisture-sensitive material or products requiring dust control may need coated fabric, a PE liner or sift-resistant sewing.

Define the Filling and Discharge Design

The available production sheet does not specify a filling or discharge spout. The top and bottom construction must therefore be selected according to the customer’s equipment.

An open top, duffle top or filling spout affects filling control. A flat bottom or discharge spout affects unloading speed and material containment.

Confirm the Required Safety Factor

The specified 1200 kg load capacity does not replace a complete-bag safety factor. Single-trip, repeat-use and dangerous-goods bags may be subject to different test requirements.

If a 5:1 or 6:1 safety factor is required, the supplier should provide the corresponding test standard and complete-bag test report.

Check Compatibility With Lifting Equipment

The customer should confirm whether the 7 cm loop width is compatible with the actual forklift tines or lifting hooks.

All four loops should be engaged without twisting. Loop-length tolerance and attachment position should also be checked to reduce uneven loading.