FAQ: Strapping solutions

Sometimes you do. A tight wrap with a film wrapping machine can go a long way to stabilising a pallet load. To provide extra security strapping is applied to help heavy loads stay firmly on the pallet. Odd shaped bundles and stretch wrapped items by hand need strapping reinforcement too.

Yes you can. PET (polyester) strapping is considered the steel alternative. It is safer and easier to use and doesn’t damage the edges of pallet loads. PET strapping has high shock absorbance and stretch recovery.

Steel strapping is strong and has little to no tension loss. It is good for pallet loads and bundles that weigh more than two tonnes and for containing pallet loads that are likely to be loaded and unloaded multiple times.

The weakest part of the strapping is in the join. Buckle joins are equal to less than half the break strength of the strap. Friction welds done by a power tool produces a joint stronger than 80%. It’s important to know the break strength variations of your joins so you can use the right strapping, buckles and joiners for the load you are shipping.

Each type of strapping has its own method and tools for tensioning and sealing. The different strapping types have different load strength and stretch recovery. It is important that you have the right tools for the job.

• Steel strap is usually applied with either manual or pneumatic hand tools, either a tensioner and sealer or a combination tool.
• Polypropylene strap is applied with either manual or powered hand tools and sealed with buckles.
• Polyester strap is applied with hand tools, either manual or powered or with an automatic strapping machine.
• Woven strapping is sealed with a wire buckle and can be tensioned by hand or by a manual tensioner.

There are different tools for applying, tensioning and sealing strapping. It will depend on the types of bundles and pallet loads you are securing and the size of your operation as to which tools you will need.

• Strapping Hand Tools – manual tools that include shears, tensioners and crimpers used with seals and buckles.
• Strapping Machines – automation of strapping applications with an automatic or semi-automatic machine.
• Strapping Power Tools – are a good option for odd-shaped bundles. They can be battery operated or pneumatic and are hand-held, some of which tension, heat seal, crimp and cut the strap.

PET strapping is used on pallet loads because it is the stronger of the two. It is considered the steel strapping alternative. PP strapping is used on smaller and lighter loads such as carton sealing because it has the lowest break strength.

The best strapping for your needs depends on the load types and how far your shipments need to travel, including loading and unloading conditions.

Steel strapping is considered the strongest with no stretch so is used on very heavy loads, exceeding two-ton.

Strapping is made out either steel, polyester (PET) and polypropylene (PP) and the strapping we sell are variants of these materials. Steel strapping has been around for a long time but now there are safer, lighter and more weatherproof strappings that are as strong as steel. PET strapping is a perfect example.

If you are moving pallets of bricks or heavy building materials, steel strapping is still the go-to product. If you are sealing cartons and lighter loads then PP strapping is adequate enough.

It’s best to speak to one of our consultants in regards to your strapping needs, so you get it right the first time.

Yes, most strapping can be recycled. Industrial recyclers prefer you to chop strapping into sacks for easy collection and storage until it is collected for recycling.

Placing cardboard edge protectors on the edges of a pallet load is essential for preventing surface damage from strapping. Edge protectors also protect cartons from strap tension and can be used to line the inside edges of a carton to stop them collapsing. They can also be used to stabilise stretch wrapped freight. See our edge board protectors and cutter product pages here.