Strapping band needs no introduction. Wherever you look, you’ll see it being used to stabilise loads on pallets, secure crates or bundle loose products. It may be made from steel or plastic, woven or extruded, and come in a wide range of widths and thicknesses. But it’s not always clear which type of strap is the best for a particular job. Let’s look at the options.
Steel
This is the oldest form of strapping, used for heavier and rougher-surfaced materials such as brick and block products, where weight and abrasion are more likely to burst plastic strap. It is also surface treated to reduce corrosion in harsh environments.
Composite polyester
Composite strapping is a popular alternative to steel, and for good reason. It has a higher strength to weight ratio than steel, is easier and safer to use, and is corrosion-proof. Composite polyester also has excellent memory, stretching when under additional tension then returning to its original length as the tension is released. This prevents or reduces damage to the surface of the strapped material.
Hotmelt polyester
Parallel strands of hotmelt adhesive-bonded polyester yarn make this a popular and economical choice for manual strapping and bale pressing of non-abrasive products such as paper and card. Softness and flexibility reduce the risk of damage to products and cartons.
Woven polyester
Crosswoven strands of polyester yarn are coated with cold glue to improve this strap’s rigidity and system strength. Woven offers higher resistance to chafing and shearing – where a small cut at the edge of the strap spreads across its width under tension – so is suitable for rough-surfaces.
Polypropylene
Oriented or tensilised polypropylene is the most versatile and widely used strapping, as it is compatible with manual and automatic systems. Compressible metal seals are used for manual strapping, but friction weld sealing is used for portable tensioner sealers and automatic systems, as it is faster and cheaper.
Extruded polyester
Similar in construction and use to polypropylene, extruded polyester offers greater retained tension and recovery properties. This characteristic makes it a preferred choice for maintaining a secure hold where greater strain on the strapping is anticipated. Polyester tensilised strapping is suitable for manual application and some friction weld tools.
Safeguard® is a UK leading range of steel and plastic strapping, accessories and hand tools, with same-day despatch from centrally warehoused stock, via a network of some 1,100 approved distributors throughout the UK.
SAFEGUARD® Tel: 0333 005 1961 E: safeguard@packagingbrands.eu.com
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