Plastic straps

Plastic straps are versatile and practical strapping materials primarily used in the packaging industry for securing and bundling. Often known as plastic banding, these straps provide certain critical benefits, including tensile strength, moisture resistance, and affordability, making them a popular choice for various applications.

How are plastic straps made?

The manufacturing process of plastic straps, or plastic banding material, typically involves the extrusion of plastic materials into a flat, thin shape. During this process, the plastic - usually polypropylene or polyester - is heated until it melts. It is then molded and cooled into the desired strap widths and thicknesses. For specialized requirements, some straps may undergo additional treatments for surface roughening or embossing.

What are the different types of plastic straps?

Often used in plastic banding equipment, polypropylene strapping has a high elongation capability. It is a suitable option for light to medium-duty applications such as bundling newspapers or packaging parcels. For instance, in the newsprint industry, the bundling of newspapers before distribution relies on polypropylene strapping for its adaptability and strength. If a bundle is dropped or jolted, the PP strap stretches to absorb the shock and then tightens once more to keep the bundle intact.

Alternatively, PET straps feature higher strength and lower stretch properties compared to PP straps. They are resistant to ultraviolet rays and weather changes, which makes them ideal for heavy-duty applications, including securing industrial loads or pallets. For instance, in the construction and manufacturing industries, companies depend on PET straps to secure and transport heavy items like concrete blocks, steel rods, and metal coils. These industries require a highly reliable strapping solution due to the immense load weight and the varying shapes and sizes of their products.

Composite straps, which are durable options, are composed of tenacious polyester yarns enveloped in a polymer coating. They offer high shock absorbency and are often used for transporting heavy or irregularly shaped goods. An additional advantage composite straps bring to the table is their resistance to rupturing. Unlike other strap types that may snap under excessive tension, composite straps have a 'safe' failure mode, gradually fraying without a violent break. This benefits the safety of handlers and passersby during the unstrapping process.

What are the common applications of plastic straps?

Plastic straps are often used to secure goods to a pallet for transportation. For example, a plastic banding strap can be used to ensure the stability of stacked crates on a pallet, preventing potential damage during logistics.

In sectors like e-commerce or newspaper distribution, where bundle packaging is frequent, plastic banding straps are a practical choice due to their adjustable lengths and ease of use.

For cargo that is heavy or irregularly shaped, plastic straps ensure safety during transport. For instance, a truck transporting lumber or steel coils heavily relies on highly durable plastic straps, like composite straps, to keep the loads from shifting.