Strapping Material VS Stretching film – Types of Strapping Material ?

Strapping Material VS Stretching film - Types of Strapping Material ?

Are you trying to decide between strapping material and stretch film? If so, you have a lot to consider. On the one hand, Stretch film is a fantastic flexible packaging film that is perfect for securing, containing, and palletizing your products. Stretch film is recyclable and comes in various sustainable formulations, such as PIR recycled stretch film and bio-based stretch film. On the other hand, strapping material is another hugely popular packaging material that can be used to secure and contain pallets of products. Strapping is perfect for the packaging of newspapers and magazines as well as heavier items such as cinder blocks and industrial equipment. And it is recyclable. But, which of these two packaging materials are best suited for securing your products for transportation and storage? In this article, we will compare strapping material to stretch film and help you choose the packaging material best suited for your product palletizing needs.

Strapping Material VS Stretching film - Types of Strapping Material ?

Pallet strapping, or banding is the process of using a metal or plastic strap to unitize, palletize or bundle products together. Strapping is used in a variety of industries from shipping large industrial equipment and lumber to reinforcing cases in e-commerce fulfilment centres. For this reason, there are many grades and types of materials on the market today.

Strapping is applied either manually with a hand tool or automatically with a strapping machine. In both cases, a strap or band is feed around the product and pulled taught. A fastening method then secures the ends of the strap around the product and the excess material is removed.

Strapping materials are available in many different strengths with specific grades and classifications. It is important to understand these grades and how they can affect your material choice when choosing your packaging. How your product is transported will affect the rating system and materials used. The two associations who grade strapping are the American Association of Railroads and ASTM International. Although ratings can be similar, it is important to understand that the designations are not interchangeable.

Types of Strapping Material

With a variety of applications and uses, it is important to understand the different types of strapping materials. The materials used come in multiple strength levels as well as elongation and recovery rates.

Elongation and recovery are important for loads that are susceptible to sudden shifting. The movement will apply tension to the strap as the load shifts. As the shifting occurs, a strap can stretch to reduce the impact of sudden inertia changes. The straps recovery ability of the strap will indicate the straps ability to return to its original state.

Steel Strapping

Steel strapping is the oldest and most commonly used banding materials to this day. Steel strapping is designed for extreme tasks that require a heavy or very heavy-duty strap. Steel strapping is optimal for packaging industrial equipment, heavy construction materials, and shipping steel coils.

Features & Benefits of Steel Strapping:

Large Loads
Hot Temperature
Sharp Edges
High Break Strength
Low Elongation Capabilities
UV Resistant
Extreme Durability

Steel strapping is applied manually with a tensioning tool and then fastened together by crimping a steel buckle around the bands ends. The excess steel strapping is then cut and disposed of.

Plastic Strapping

Plastic strapping materials are made from polyester, polypropylene and are available in a variety of strengths, styles, and finishes. Unlike steel strapping, elongation and recovery are a key factor for deciding which type of plastic strap to use.

Plastic Strapping is Ideal For:

Paper
Lumber
Fresh Produce
Reinforcing Stretch Wrapped Pallets

Plastic strapping materials can be applied manually with the use of hand tensioning tool, or automatically by a strapping machine.

Polyester Strapping

Polyester strapping is the most commonly used polymer strapping material. Its strength and durability have made it the most commonly used material to replace steel strapping.

Features and Benefits of Polyester Strapping:

Strongest of Plastic Strapping
High Break Strength
High Levels of Tension
Greater Elongation
High Recovery

Polyester Strapping is Ideal For:

Medium to Heavy Duty Loads like construction materials
Loads that may settle, expand or contract during shipping
Loads that are susceptible to impacts or shifting environments like ships
Reinforcing heavy packages and loads

The high level of elongation and recovery make polyester strapping ideal for packaging loads that are susceptible to shifting. The elongation provided by the polyester strap helps to minimize the effect of sudden shifts in momentum. As the load shifts, the straps elongate lessening the force of a sudden shift. The straps recovery capabilities then pull the load back into the original position.

Polypropylene Strapping

Polypropylene strapping is an economical strapping material compared to other materials. It’s designed for light to medium duty unitizing, palletizing and bundling. Consistent pressure to polypropylene strapping can result in unrecoverable dead stretch and inability to return to its original length.

Features and Benefits of Polypropylene Strapping:

Economical
Highest Level of Elongation
Little Recovery
Low Strength

Polypropylene Strapping is

Ideal For:

Light to Medium Duty Unitizing
Short Transportation Trips
Loads Protected from Environmental Conditions

Sahib Simran

2022-05-16

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