There are at least two reasons why you need a working knowledge of strapping and strapping equipment.

First, strapping commonly provides the final protection, the last means of security for a package or unitized group of packages. If there’s anything wrong with the strapping or the way it’s applied, the product may easily get damaged.

Second, failure to take full advantage of unitizing with strapping will often mean that both the shipper and the receiver will spend far more time and money on material handling than they should.

WHEN IS STRAPPING USED?

Any company who closes , reinforces, or unitizes their packages has a use for strapping.

In Carton Closure, the type of carton used plays an important bearing on whether or not to use strapping. With a RSC ( regular slotted container) carton, strapping can be used but will not provide pilferage or dust protection. With a FOL (full over lap) carton, telescopic or five panel folders, for instance, strapping can be the final closure.

In Carton Reinforcement, strapping is often used in conjunction with tape, glue or staples. Strapping will provide reinforcement around the entire perimeter of the carton – not just at the seal.

In Unitizing, strapping is used to group two or more units so that they can be handled as one. One form of unitizing is palletizing or skid-loading, where the strapping helps to stabilize the load. A second form of unitizing is bundling, where strapping alone is used to hold units together.

WHY IS STRAPPING USED?

Pilferage Protection: Strapping, when used with the appropriate carton, will deter pilferage. The key is to prevent a potential thief from slipping his hand inside a carton. Strapping, when stretched and sealed around a carton, is not replaceable in the field, which is not the case with tape, glue or staples. With a strap broken or missing on a carton, the person receiving the carton will be alerted to hand count his items before accepting the shipment.

Carton Re-Use: Cartons secured by strapping only can be re-used over and over again. Unlike tape, staples or glue, strapping does not destroy the integrity of the carton. Depending on the quality and burst strength of the cartons, they may be shipped, broken down and reshipped.

Damage Protection: Strapping can properly brace and secure a delicate load. Strapping reinforces a carton from all four sides, whereas tape and staples only secure the top and bottom flaps.

STRAPPING CHARACTERISTICS

Abrasion Resistance: Ability to resist breaking along rough or sharp edges

Break Strength: Amount of tension in pounds required to break (Tensile Strength)

Camber: Amount of wave or curve in eight feet of strap

Coil Set: Amount of twist in the strap due to heat when cooling

Creep Resistance: The stability under load, ability to maintain tension

Memory: Ability to recover to original state

Elongation: Amount of stretch

Embossing: Texture given to facilitate ease in handling and to reduce splitting

Polypropylene Strapping Vs. Polyester Strapping:

Polypropylene is the most economical of all the strapping due to its light weight and versatility. It is split resistant and it offers the greatest elongation along with good initial recovery. Polypropylene simplifies the strapping process as its great flexibility provides the ability to mold to irregular shaped packages.

When replacing steel strap, polyester can provide up to a 25% savings in strap cost. In certain applications, polyester can eliminate the need for seals, which not only results in additional savings, but can reduce product damage. Disposal, elongation recovery, moisture resistance and UV resistance are other advantages for polyester over other packing alternatives.

STEEL STRAPPING

Steel Strapping is rust and corrosion resistant and is used for heavier loads that require more protection than poly strapping can provide.

Edge Conditional Strapping ensures a safe, rounded edge for problem free applications. Baked on gloss and hard wax finish allows for smooth strapping flow characteristics.