In the packaging industry, strapping is a common method of bundling items together and securing loads. Be it cartons, bottles, brick stacks, or containers, every load has to be packed together and unitized with a suitable strapping method that helps maintain load integrity.
With a variety of applications and uses, it is important to understand the different types and terminology of strapping materials. The materials 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 strap's ability to return to its original state
TYPES:ย
Here are the Types and Terminology of Strapping that will help you determine the meaning of each:
Polyester Strapping:
Also known as PET strap, it is used for securing heavy loads such as bricks, timber, and tiles.ย Polyester strappingย is a safe alternative to steel, with limited elongation capacity and high tensile strength. The high level of elongation and recovery make this type of strap ideal for loads that may settle, expand, or contract during shipping. The elongation of the strap helps to reduce the impact of sudden movement. As the load shifts, the straps elongate lessening the force of a sudden shift. The strap's recovery capabilities then pull the load back into the original position. The product is green in color and is available for machine and hand applications.
Poly Woven Strapping:ย
This strapping is made of a woven polyester material that has a high tensile strength suitable for medium to heavy loads. This strap is lightweight, rustproof, and reusable making it a popular and safer alternative to steel strapping. This is the solution to reducing workplace injuries it has no sharp edges and does not spring back like steel. Theย poly woven strappingย retains high tension for long periods and can be retention easily during storage or transit. It is available in a variety of widths and breaking strains to suit every application.
Composite Strapping:
This type of strap is made of a soft and pliable material with synthetic fibres running through it which it very high tensile strength. This offers the rigidity of steel while eliminating the disadvantages of steel which are its sharp edges and a tendency to whiplash.ย Composite strappingย is used as a safe alternative to metal banding as it protects the operators from injuries while ensuring maximum load containment strength.ย 
Steel Strapping:
Steel is a common and economical strapping method, best suited for bundling heavy products such as pipes, lumber, concrete blocks, and coils of metal wire. To ensure the best performance of these strapping materials, we also have a full line of application equipment and accessories, including metal seals, tensioners, crimpers, pneumatic tools, and dispensers.ย Steel strappingย is applied manually with a tensioning tool and then fastened together by crimping a steel buckle around the band ends.ย
This heavy-duty metal banding is available in a variety of grades, widths, and thicknesses to suit every application. It is available in two size coils; ribbon wound and rope wound:
Ribbon wound steel strapping is smaller coils than rope wound coils, making them easier to handle. This strapping is ideal for hand-held applications as each roll weighs about 11 kg, far less than a rope-wound coil, which weighs 45 kg.
Rope wound steel strappingย is a continuous spool used for high-volume applications. With an approximate weight per roll of 45 kg, a trolley dispenser is required to move this roll.
Stainless steel strappingย is the perfect solution for heavy-duty strapping applications when the loads are very heavy or likely to be exposed to the weather for an extended period of time.
Poly Strapping
Poly or Polypropylene Strapping is a very economical product compared to other materials. This type of strap has a high level of elongation but less recovery and strength.ย Poly Strappingย is designed for light to medium-duty unitizing, palletizing, and bundling. Consistent pressure to this strapping can result in the unrecoverable dead stretch and the inability to return to its original length.
Hand Application:ย Hand-grade poly strapping is used for manual applications and comes in a dispenser box for convenience and ease of use. It is available in different grades and thicknesses to suit a range of applications. The strapping is tightened by using aย tensionerย to secure the strap, and then the ends are joined with aย meal sealย andย crimperย tool.ย 
Machine Application:ย ย Machine-grade poly strappingย is suitable for use with semi-automatic and fully automaticย strapping machines. In automated systems, the machine applies the banding around the carton, tensions the strap tight, and seals it by heat or friction weld. The entire process is fully automated, for a fast and efficient production line.
TERMINOLOGY:
This Strapping Dictionary will help you understand the meaning of all terms used in strapping:
Linear breaking strength:ย Linear breaking strength (tensile strength) is the stress point at which the strapping itself will break.
System breaking strength: System breaking strength is the stress point at which the strapping, as well as the buckle, will break.
Core: This is the inner paper tube around which the strapping is wound. The core is measured in diameter and width.
Strapping Closure: Strapping closures are the seals or buckles that are used to hold two ends of strapping together. These are typically made from metal or plastic.
Creep: This is the loss of strapping tension that occurs over a period of time.
Strapping Weld: Strapping tools are used to melt the strapping ends together to form a single piece of strapping around a load.
Camber: This is the curve of a strapping. A machine strapping should not have a camber or it will jam the strapping machine.
Coil Face: It refers to the measured width of the strapping coil.
Elastic Limit:ย The point of a stretch after which the stretching properties of the strapping will be destroyed and it wonโt recover properly.
Elongation: The amount of stretch available in the strapping as force or tension is applied.
Elongation Recovery: The ability of to strap to return to its original state after force or tension is applied.
Embossing: This is a textured pattern that is applied to the strapping surface. It helps improve the stiffness characteristics of the strap as well as increase its joint efficiency and split resistance. However, if the strap is overly embossed, it can unduly increase its thickness and make it prone to breaking.
Joint Efficiency:ย Joint efficiency is defined as the strength of strapping where its two ends are joined together. It is expressed in terms of the percentage of the strapping break strength.
Knurling:ย This is embossing on the surface of polypropylene strapping. It helps the โfeed wheelโ in gripping the strapping and carrying it through the equipment. Shallow knurling may result in missed feeds or jammed strapping.
Retained Tension:ย It is defined as the strappingโs ability to retain stretch tension over time.
Seal Joint:ย It is the area where opposing ends of a plastic strapping are joined together.
Shock Resistance:ย The ability of a strapping material to return to its original state when tension is applied, without causing it to break.ย
ย Split Resistance:ย This is defined as strappingโs ability to resist a lateral tearing force.
Yield Strength:ย It is defined as the point of stress at which elastic deformation changes to plastic deformation, causing the strapping to deform permanently.
To ensure the best performance of these strapping materials, we have product lines of tools and accessories such as steel strapping seals, manual hand tools, pneumatic tools, and dispensers.ย
