Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How do I select the right strap for my application?
- Q: Polyester Cord vs. Steel Strapping
- Q: How do I tension and seal strap?
- Q: What’s joint efficiency?
- Q: What if I need a machine, which is best?
- Q: Can I automate the strapping function?
- Q: I’d like to get rid of steel strapping. It’s dangerous, can I use something else?
- Q: How does polyester work better than steel?
- Q: Can I use the same tools with polyester as with steel?
- Q: I already wrap my pallets. Why do I need to strap them?
How do I select the right strap for my application?
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- It depends, on a lot of factors. However, some general guidelines are:
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- Steel strap is usually reserved for very heavy loads, greater than 5,000 lbs., for strapping high temperature loads, where plastic would melt, for loads with sharp edges, and for some round objects.
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- Polypropylene is used for lighter loads, lots of bundling (think newspapers), and carton closing.
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- Polyester is used for heavier pallets, tight non-compressible loads, like bricks, and as a replacement for steel.
- Cord strapping is used in agricultural applications and as a manual way to unitize some heavy loads.
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- It depends, on a lot of factors. However, some general guidelines are:
- Always work with your local distributor or a qualified expert before deciding what is best for your application.
Plastic & Steel Strapping Application Guide
| STRAP TYPE | APPLIED BY | CLOSURE USED | LOAD CHARACTERISTICS | TYPICAL APPLICATIONS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POLYPROPYLENE STRAPPING | ||||
| Standard Hand Grade | Hand Manual Tools Power Tools |
Buckles Buckles/Seals Friction Weld |
Compressible Expandable |
Palletizing Lightweight Package Reinforcement |
| Low Elongation | Manual Tools Semi Auto/Arch Machines |
Seal Friction Weld Heat Welds |
Rigid Expanding |
As a Substitute for Steel or Polyester |
| Semi Automatic Machine Grade |
Semi Automatic Machines |
Heat Seal | Compressible Expanding |
Bundling Carton Closing Carton Reinforcement UPS Unitizing |
| Machine Grade | Automatic Machines |
Heat Seal Friction Weld |
Compressible Expandable |
Similar to Semi-Automatic with Higher Volumes |
| POLYESTER STRAPPING | ||||
| Hand Grade | Manual Tools Power Tools |
Seals Friction Weld |
Rigid | Heavy Duty Palletizing As a Substitute for Steel |
| Machine Grade | Automatic Machines Fully Automatic Strapping Systems |
Friction Weld Heat Welds |
Rigid | Fine Paper Beverage Cans/Bottles Bricks/Blocks Lumber/Timber |
| CORD STRAPPING | ||||
| Polyester Cord | Hand Manual Tools |
Tied/Buckles Buckle/Seals |
Combination | Agricultural Building Trades Boat Industry |
| Rayon Cord | Hand Manual Tools |
Tied/Buckles Buckle/Seals |
Tying Applications |
|
| STEEL STRAPPING | ||||
| Manually Applied Steel* |
Manual Tools Power Tools |
Seals Sealless Joints |
Rigid | Steel Services Centers Heated Product Product with Sharp Edges |
*Polyester and steel strap are frequently recommended on compressible loads where the loads cannot be allowed to return to their pre-compression dimensions.
Polyester Cord vs. Steel Strapping
PAC Cord offers several advantages over steel strapping:
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- Easy to apply: PAC Cord can be manually applied with a wired buckle and hand tensioner. Complex, high maintenance tools are not required.
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- Easy to re-tension: PAC Cord stays tight on application. When loads settle, re-tensioning is simple.
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- Safety: Eliminates cutting injuries, minimizes spring back when cut, and weighs 75% less than steel. Back injuries from handling 100 pound coils are virtually eliminated.
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- Rust free and UV Resistant: PAC Cord holds up well for outside storage applications.
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- Cost Effective: Comparable product costs less than steel strapping.
- The “Composite Solution”: For pallet threading applications, composite’s coating facilitates easy threading.
How do I tension and seal strap?
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- Again, not an easy question, but here are some general guidelines:
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- Steel is usually applied with hand tools, either a tensioner and sealer or a combination “sealless” tool, either manual or pneumatic.
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- Polypropylene is applied with buckles, which do not require tools, with various hand tool, either manual or powered, or by a machine.
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- Polyester is applied with hand tools, either manual or powered or with an automatic strapping machine.
- Cord strapping is sealed with a wire buckle. Cord can be tensioned either by hand or with a manual tensioner.
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- Again, not an easy question, but here are some general guidelines:
- Again, work with your local distributor or a qualified expert before deciding what is best for your application. Usually, the more your spend up front on application, the less you’ll spend on waste, material, and the greater your productivity and “joint efficiency”.
What’s joint efficiency?
Any chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The weakest part of the strap is where it is joined together. At the low end of the spectrum are buckles, which require no tools, but only yield a joint equal to less than half the break strength of the strap. At the higher end of the spectrum, friction weld power tools can produce joints over 80%. Spend the money on the right tool and you can use a lower break strength strap and save money in the long run.
What if I need a machine, which is best?
The choice of what machine is right for your application depends on what material you specify, how fast you need to strap your product, and how automated you want the operation to be. Range of choices go from semi-automatic “Table Top “machines, perfect for UPS bundling, to machines that strap full pallets.
For a more complete discussion on selecting the right machine, review the article “Selecting the Right Strapping Machine for Your Application” in the resources section of this website.
Can I automate the strapping function?
Absolutely. PAC systems specialists can provide “turnkey’ solutions that will automatically strap your bundle, package, or pallet,
with no operator needed.
with no operator needed.
I’d like to get rid of steel strapping. It’s dangerous, can I use something else?
For the last few years many strap users have replaced steel strapping with PAC High Strength Polyester. While not every application can be switched, many can. Benefits of changing from steel to polyester may include:
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- Substantial Cost Savings
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- A much safer material
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- Rust free and virtually impervious to normal conditions
- It actually works better
How does polyester work better than steel?
If applied properly, polyester acts like a very heavy duty rubber band. It is stretched upon application, and that stretch serves as a “shock reserve” against a settling load, which many are.
Can I use the same tools with polyester as with steel?
Unfortunately, no. With the exception of your dispensers the sealing system is different with polyester, so you’ll have to switch to new tools. Keep in mind that for most applications, savings in the cost of polyester versus steel will make up for the cost of new tools in a few months.
I already wrap my pallets. Why do I need to strap them?
Stretch wrapping offers good protection for your product and side retention, but has little impact on keeping your product firmly on the pallet, where it belongs. Strapping provides vertical retention and keeps your load firmly on the pallet.