Steel Banding and Woven Polyester Strapping.

Steel strapping or banding is the oldest type of strapping on the market and is typically used for transporting extremely heavy and stable loads when high strength and minimal elongation (stretch) are desired. Today’s high steel prices are increasing your upfront costs to complete a project and ship product. Converting from steel strapping to woven polyester strapping can help you mitigate cost increases and improve safety without compromising durability.

What is Woven Polyester Strapping? Woven strap is made from high tenacity polyester cording that is tightly woven to provide superior tensile strength while remaining lightweight. Woven strapping can be used for heavy shipments, railroad shipments, or long-term outdoor storage.

The benefits of using woven polyester strapping include:

-More cost-effective than steel strapping.

-No sharp edges to cause injuries or tire damage.

-Strong as steel but weighs 50-75% less.

-Easily applied and can be re-tensioned.

-Will not rust.

-Chemical-resistant.

-Weather-resistant.

-Lightweight and portable.

Still not convinced woven polyester strapping is the right industrial packaging material for your needs.

Save on Labor Costs: Compared to steel strapping, which is heavy, bulky and requires special equipment to apply, woven strapping is easy to use and does not require multiple personnel to apply. Whereas steel strapping is typically a two-person operation, one worker can prepare a load with woven strap using a ratcheting tensioner and a buckle. It is also available on longer-length coils than steel, requiring fewer changeouts over time.

Save on Production and Tooling Costs: Steel strapping often requires expensive tools or machinery to apply. But with woven polyester strapping, expensive machinery is not required. Simple, inexpensive hand tools are all you need. Woven strap is also more flexible than steel and eliminates the need for expensive corner pads or cushions. Additionally, woven polyester strapping does not require the use of special safety gear or PPE like steel banding does.

Save Money from Reduced Defects and Damage: With woven polyester strapping, there is no rust due to humidity or moisture like there are steel straps. Woven strapping is flexible so there is reduced opportunity for scratching or damaging the surfaces or corners of loads. The flexibility and elasticity of woven straps also enable them to recover better after severe impact or shifting weight.

Save on Workers Compensation Claims Due to Injury: One coil of steel strap can weigh between 105 and 110 pounds, making it cumbersome to manage and maneuver. Woven polyester strapping is lightweight — improving worker ergonomics and reducing fatigue and exertion. In addition, steel strapping can be dangerous. When a worker removes a steel strap from a load, they are subject to injury from the recoil of the newly cut and sharpened edge. Woven polyester strapping has dull edges that allow it to be cut under tension without recoil, protecting workers from the risk of cuts and lacerations.

Save on Strap Replacement: Once steel banding is cut to release the package it cannot be reused. Woven polyester is re-tensionable and reusable when used with buckles, saving on strap replacement costs. Woven strap is also flexible, so it is resistant to damage if it were to be bent or twisted.

Save on Storage and Handling Costs: Steel strapping is environmentally unfriendly and expensive to recycle. Used strapping requires a lot of space to store and to dispose of because it does not compact. When debanded, steel strapping is very hazardous to workers if not removed and disposed of properly. Due to the high tension and sharp edges associated with steel banding, there is often a recoil effect upon removal that can be extremely dangerous to workers and bystanders. Woven polyester strapping requires less storage space than steel coils and is safer to handle.

While steel strapping remains a common solution for bulky loads, it is costly and can increase the risk of worker injury. For these reasons and more, companies have begun using woven polyester strapping for their packaging, transport, and storage needs. Not only is woven polyester strapping a safer alternative to steel banding, but it can also be more economical as well.

To learn more about how Quick Pak Inc can improve your strapping applications and save you money, contact us at 813 242 6995 or sales@quickpakinc.com