23 April 2021 2021 Strapping Guide
Selecting The Best Strapping For Your Business
2021 Strapping Guide
What is strapping?
Strapping is the process whereby items are tied together or secured to a pallet/skid.
Key attributed are:
- Safety of the load
- Time spent in strapping
- The length or breaking strain of the strap or strapping seals
- The safety of the person using strapping
- Cost of materials
What are the major types?
What are their advantages and disadvantages?
- Polypropylene Strapping
- Advantages:
- Great for light loads
- 12mm and 15mm can be used with plastic buckles - no tools required
- Inexpensive
- 12mm strapping used in conjunction with a semi-automatic machine is a fast way to bundle or strap boxes
- 19mm has a 400kg breaking strain and when used with the right seals and tooling is a secure and inexpensive solution for medium loads
- Disadvantages:
- Not suitable for heavy loads
- Can be time-consuming
- Advantages:
- Polyester Strapping
- Advantages:
- In many applications a much cheaper, and just as strong substitute for steel strapping
- Can be used with manual tooling
- Amazing time efficiency when used with appropriate battery-operated hand strapping tools. Battery tools don't need seals.
- Rust resistant
- Inexpensive
- Disadvantages:
- Not appropriate with very heavy loads
- Care is needed when tensioning - often strap protectors are needed
- Full productivity benefits require battery operated hand strapping tools
- Advantages:
- Composite Strapping
- Advantages:
- Soft and pliable - Great for medium weight 'sensitive products'
- Cheap in comparison to steel strapping but much dearer than polyester
- Good shock resistance
- Disadvantages:
- Can't automate - requires manual tooling
- Advantages:
- Polywoven Strapping
- Advantages:
- Soft, pliable and strong
- Very safe - no sharp edges
- Can be re-used and re-tensioned
- No rust
- Relatively inexpensive
- Disadvantages:
- Can't automate - requires manual tooling
- Must be correctly buckled
- Advantages:
- Steel Strapping
- Key Info:
- Standard steel strapping is painted
- Zinc or galvanised strapping is needed for underground or rust-prone external use
- 'Ribbon' steel strapping is most common - Coils are like a ribbon style and weigh 10-16kg. Often they are fitted to an 'A Frame' dispenser
- 'Rope' or 'Oscillated' steel strapping coils weigh 43-50kg and require a large wheeled dispenser
- Safety is key - Always wear riggers gloves and eye protection!
- Advantages:
- Great for heavy, awkward items
- No flex means safety for heavier loads strapped to pallets
- 32mm metal strapping has a breaking strain of 2200kg!
- Many sizes are Australian made
- Wide variety of seals, tools and dispensers available
- Disadvantages:
- Needs care when using
- Expensive in comparison to other technologies
- Key Info:
For more information on strapping options contact us today!