Introduction To Strapping

Strapping Materials: Making The Right Choice

Industrial strapping comes in a variety of materials, sizes, and uses. Each group has advantages and disadvantages for specific applications. So, the typical industrial environment will have a number of strapping options because this is not a one type fits all situation.

Steel strapping works best to bundle and unitize heavy materials and loads. (See Signode and Cornerstone for width, break strength, weight, and price/pound.) If maximum break strength and split resistance are critical to your packaging application, steel strapping is the first choice. However, more decision-makers are opting away from steel because it lacks the stretch and recovery of polyester strapping. Steel strapping may retain tension with durability, but it has poor climate resistance. And, because steel strapping is heavy and rigid, it adds freight weight and requires special strapping tools. Steel strapping can be broken down as follows:

• Regular Duty Steel strapping is a low carbon steel for reinforcing packages, unitizing medium heavy product, and stacking product firmly.
• High Tensile Steel strapping is a heat-treated high carbon steel with high strength and shock resistant elongation. High tensile steel is the workhorse for tying down steel coils, lumber loads, and open trailer loading.
• Stainless Steel strapping adds the advantage of corrosion and rust resistance in outdoor storage or permanent/semi-permanent applications like outdoor signage, duct work, and hose clamps.
• Punched Steel strapping comes in a number of widths and punch hole configurations. The punched holes facilitate strapping and anchoring in construction, insulation, and concrete bracing.
• Zinc-coated strapping maximizes resistance to rust in all environments where climate is an issue. Available in a variety of regular and high tensile steel strapping, it has the same enhanced tension transmission characteristics as the painted and waxed strapping. Zinc finish safeguards where it is needed most-at points of surface damage and scratches.
• Painted Steel Strapping: Painted strapping is coated to offer corrosion resistance. Available in a wide array of Magnus strapping sizes, it is used in crimp-style seal systems to produce high joint strength.
• Painted and Waxed Steel Strapping: Painted and waxed strapping also provides corrosion resistance. Available in all Apex Plus and Magnus strap sizes, it can be used in notch or crimp-type seal systems. Its chief advantage is improved tension transmission around load corners. Waxed strapping is required for feedwheel-type tensioners.

Plastic strapping products reduce costs compared to steel strapping, suit more purposes, and provide recyclable remains.

• Polyester strapping costs considerably less than steel strapping. With high strength and greater retained tension, it works well with heavy loads that do not absolutely require steel strapping but need high initial tension. It applies easily manually or with fully-automatic strapping dispensers. Its highly recyclable material reduces overall cost. Companies have saved as much as 78% when they move from steel to polyester.
• Nylon strapping beats other materials with its high-tension recovery rate and versatility. It suits cold rooms, food processing, and paper and lumber processing.
• Polypropylene strapping comes in as the cheapest option and certainly fulfills its promise of strength and durability for light loads, package reinforcement, or container closure. Polypropylene strapping applies easily by hand or with semi-automatic strapping dispensers. It works best on bundling, light carton closing, and light duty unitizing applications.
• Bailing Wire remains a traditional need in agricultural projects. Annealed or galvanized, bailing wire is easily fed, bent, and hand managed.