Uses and Applications of Strapping Bands

Uses and Applications of Strapping Bands

Published On: October 15, 2024 Revised On: October 26, 2024

Strapping bands, also known as strapping or bundling materials, secure and stabilise items for transport and storage.

These durable and flexible bands ensure that goods remain intact during transit, reducing the risk of damage or loss. Whether used with individual packages or pallets, strapping bands help maintain structural integrity by holding items firmly in place.

Widely used in many industries, strapping bands or tape are essential packaging components used to keep cargo safe. This article explores the various applications of strapping bands, their importance in logistics, and how different types of strapping meet specific packaging needs.

Strapping Band Uses

Strapping bands come in a variety of sizes and materials, making them a versatile packaging solution for securing goods across different applications. Their key uses include:

  • Efficient packaging: Reduce the need for excess materials like shrink wrap or larger boxes. By securely bundling products, strapping optimises space during shipping, leading to fewer trips and reduced carbon emissions associated with transport.
  • Securing Goods to Pallets: Goods transported on pallets require secure stacking to remain stable throughout the journey. Strapping bands keep the load firmly attached to the pallet, reducing the risk of shifting or collapse, particularly during multi-modal transport.
  • Bundling Items for Handling and Shipping: Strapping items such as lumber, metal pipes, or printed materials together simplifies handling and transportation. Bundling reduces labour costs, keeps products organised, and allows for easier inventory management.
  • Product Protection During Transportation: Properly securing goods with strapping bands minimises the risk of damage caused by shifting, vibration, or impact during transit. This protects the products and helps avoid potential contamination in industries where product integrity is critical.
  • Environmental and Sustainable Advantage: Many strapping materials, such as polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET), are recyclable, reducing landfill waste and promoting a circular economy. By encouraging material reuse, using recyclable strapping can lower environmental footprints.

Strapping Band Applications

Whether used to secure pallets, reinforce packaging, or bundle items for easier handling, strapping bands enhance efficiency and safety in logistics, manufacturing, construction, and more. Key applications include:

Application Description
Construction and Industrial Settings Secures heavy materials like steel beams, concrete blocks, and timber, ensuring stability during transport and reducing handling time.
Shipping and Logistics Used to secure cargo inside shipping containers and truckloads, preventing shifting and minimising damage during long-haul transportation.
Retail and Distribution Bundles smaller items or secures packaged goods, keeping them organised and intact throughout the retail supply chain.
Manufacturing and Processing Holds components or products together for easier handling during production, assembly, and shipment in manufacturing processes.
Agriculture and Forestry Bundles crops, timber, or other products, facilitating easier handling, transport, and storage while reducing product loss during distribution.

Choosing the Right Strapping Band

By minimising movement and vibration during transit, strapping helps reduce product damage, leading to fewer rejects and replacements. Selecting the appropriate strapping for specific needs can significantly improve product protection.

In addition to securing goods, strapping bands optimise storage by allowing products to be safely stacked on pallets, reducing warehouse and container space requirements. While metal straps are often used for securing heavy machinery and metal coils, alternatives like polyester and composite strapping provide similar strength without the risk of rust.

Polypropylene Strapping (PP)

Polypropylene PP strapping is used for bundling, securing, and palletising lightweight to medium-weight loads. Made from a flexible thermoplastic polymer, this strapping is cost-effective and easy to handle.

PP strapping is lightweight and has a higher elongation compared to other plastic strapping materials, allowing it to stretch under load while maintaining tension to secure goods. Additionally, being recyclable, it offers an eco-friendly packaging solution.

Widely used in automated factory lines due to its affordability and ease of use, PP strapping is often paired with edge or corner protectors. These protectors help absorb impacts during transportation or handling, reducing the risk of product damage.

Common applications include:

  • Lightweight Product Packaging: Ideal for securing small appliances, fabrics, and plastics.
  • Palletising: Used to secure cartons and lightweight materials to pallets for safe transport.
  • Bundling: Frequently applied to bundle items such as magazines, newspapers, and other lightweight products.

Polyester Composite Strapping

Polyester composite strapping is a strong, flexible alternative to steel strapping. It is made from high-tenacity polyester fibres coated with a polypropylene layer for added durability.

Its high tensile strength makes it suitable for securing heavy loads, while its lightweight nature and ease of handling provide significant advantages over traditional steel strapping. Unlike steel, polyester composite strapping won’t rust or corrode, making it a more reliable option in harsh environments.

This strapping is resistant to chemical solvents, acids, and caustic materials, and its abrasion resistance makes it well-suited for use on rough or abrasive surfaces. The flexible fibres provide high shock absorbency, ensuring the strapping can withstand shifting cargo during transport. It is used with wire buckles and strapping tensioners to enhance its load-securing capabilities.

Due to its elasticity, polyester composite strapping absorbs impact and recovers from deformation, maintaining its load-bearing capacity even under challenging transport conditions. Its tensile strength ranges from 0.5 to 8.5 tons, and it resists weathering when exposed to the elements.

Typical applications include:

  • Palletising: Securing heavy products to pallets for safe transport.
  • Bundling: Used for bundling construction materials such as pipes, bricks, and lumber.
  • Shipping Containers: Ideal for securing loads inside containers and truck load-backs during long-distance travel.

Polyester (PET) Strapping

Polyester (PET) strapping is a strong and durable material commonly used for securing medium—to heavy-duty loads. Made from polyethene terephthalate, PET strapping offers high tensile strength and flexibility and is resistant to tearing or breaking.

PET strapping features low elongation, which helps maintain tension over time, keeping loads tightly secured. Its UV resistance makes it suitable for outdoor use and can withstand loads without degrading. PET is also resistant to corrosion, chemicals, and temperature fluctuations, making it effective in harsh environments.

While more expensive than composite strapping, PET does not offer the same level of shock absorbency. PET strapping can be used with both manual and automated strapping systems, providing versatility in industrial applications.

PET strapping applications include:

  • Palletising: Ideal for securing heavy, rigid loads onto pallets.
  • Construction Materials: Used to strap materials like bricks, concrete blocks, and other building supplies.
  • Machinery Transport: Effective in securing heavy machinery during transportation and handling.

A Comparative Overview

Each type of strapping—Polypropylene (PP), Polyester (PET), and Composite—offers unique advantages and is suited for different applications. Below is a comparison of the three, highlighting their key features, strengths, and best uses.

Feature Polypropylene Strapping Polyester Strapping Composite Strapping
Material Thermoplastic polypropylene Polyethylene terephthalate Polyester fibres coated with polypropylene
Tensile Strength Low to moderate; best for light to medium-weight loads High tensile strength; suitable for medium to heavy-duty loads Moderate to high; good for heavy-duty loads but less tensile strength than PET
Elasticity High elongation; stretches under load but gradually loses tension Low elongation; maintains tension over long periods Moderate elasticity; absorbs shock well and recovers from deformation
Durability Less durable; prone to breakage under high tension Highly durable; resists tearing, UV, and weathering Durable; resistant to abrasion, chemicals, and weathering
Resistance Sensitive to weather, UV, and chemicals Resistant to UV light, moisture, corrosion, and chemicals Resistant to chemicals, acids, caustic substances, and weathering
Shock Absorbency Low shock absorbency Limited shock absorbency due to rigidity High shock absorbency; ideal for shifting or unstable loads
Abrasion Resistance Less resistant to abrasion Moderate abrasion resistance Excellent abrasion resistance; performs well on rough surfaces
Weight Lightweight; easy to handle Lightweight, easy to handle, often used in automated systems Lightweight; easier to handle than steel strapping
Cost Most cost-effective; ideal for lightweight packaging More expensive than PP and composite strapping Less expensive than PET; more affordable for heavy-duty use
Applications Best for bundling and securing lightweight products like cartons, fabrics, and small appliances Ideal for securing heavy machinery, construction materials, and rigid loads Suitable for securing pipes, lumber, bricks, and cargo in shipping containers
Weather Resistance Not suitable for prolonged outdoor use Excellent for outdoor use; UV-resistant Suitable for outdoor use; resists weathering and moisture
Automation Compatibility Often used in manual applications Commonly used in automated strapping systems Primarily used in manual applications with wire buckles and tensioners
Recyclability Recyclable, eco-friendly for lightweight use Recyclable, eco-friendly for heavy-duty use Recyclable, but less frequently recycled than PP and PET

 

At Humi Pak, we provide comprehensive load securing packaging solutions, offering a wide range of high-quality strapping bands to meet various industrial needs. In addition, we offer training to ensure proper usage and maximise efficiency. For a demonstration or consultation, reach out to our packaging engineers.