Strapping is used to secure a bundle of items either for shipping or storing. Keeping products bundled saves space, and makes it harder for pieces to get lost in the process. If you are shipping numerous boxes, having them strapped to each other makes locating the packages easier. It can also hold large shipments together, and some of the stronger bands can even withstand being carried by the straps if a machine picks them up. When you are deciding which type of strapping to use, you should ask yourself a few questions:
• What type of product needs to be strapped?
• How much does said product weigh?
• Will the product be moved while it is strapped up?
• How long does the bundle need to be strapped for?
This will help you determine which type of strapping will be best for making your bundle. Below are your choices are far as strapping goes:
• Regular Steel:
This kind of strapping is usually used for heavier shipments that need a lot more protection, which other strapping can’t offer. Steel is more dent resistant and a lot stronger than it used to be. Generally, this is low carbon steel and made more for low to medium applications, even if they are heavy.
• High Tensile:
This is still another type of steel strapping. Railroad shipments typically use high tensile strapping in order to secure their shipments. This type of strapping is considered better for heavy duty applications like securing steel coils or open top train cars or trailers. With 69% of steel being recycled every year, any type of steel strapping is great for the environment.
• Stainless Steel:
If the conditions outside are extreme, stainless steel strapping is the one of choice because of it’s resistance to the elements. This type of strapping is made in sizes anywhere from 3/8-inches by .015-inches to 3/4-inches by 0.30-inches. The size and weight of your shipment will depend on the size of your strapping.
• Zinc coated:
Zinc coated strapping is great for long term storage or packaging, because the zinc stops rust and corrosion from building up over time. Zinc coatings are great for UV resistance and do not break easily. However, they can get stretched out if they are on the product for too long.
• Polyester:
This is used similarly to steel, but instead of being used for heavy duty uses, polyester strapping is usually used to ship more of a medium application. This is also good for long term storage ad other similar uses. However, straps do tend break if too much pressure is applied.
• Poly:
Poly is much lighter than steel. In fact, it’s about half the weight. Plus, it’s easier and less expensive to use. Considering how cheap steel already is, poly is an even bigger money saver. However, it will not hold the amount of cargo or the weights that steel can. This is a very economical type of strapping, and it comes in a lot of different colors if you need to color code your shipments.
• Poly cord:
When polyester is woven together, it creates a cord that provides great strength and shock absorbency for whatever it is holding together.
Once you have determined which type of strapping you will use, you may need specific tools like a tensioner, sealer, and cutter in order to pack and unpack the shipments. The size of the tools you will need will match the width of the strapping you have decided to use, so do not get your tools before determining which strapping is going to work best for you. Once that is done, then you can procure the tools.
There are of course other options, such as galvanized steel strapping, but those listed here are the most common and most accessible types of strapping used. Strapping is not an expensive purchase. so really all you need to compare is the types of material and how they will best fit your needs depending on the product type and weight.
