When shippers focus on preparing a load for transport, most of their attention goes into choosing the right strapping materials for the job. While choosing the right strapping products to secure a load is vital for its safety, protecting the strapping materials from sharp edges is equally important. Cargo edge protectors are a powerful tool to prevent strapping products from breaking and causing damage to your shipments. At USA Strapping, our team is here to give you the tools and knowledge you need to prevent strap damage and product loss with cargo edge protectors. We’ll take a closer look at these useful tools and some of the benefits they can offer you.
Why Edge Protectors Matter
Straps are designed and rated to specific weight-bearing limits to ensure the strapping product you choose can safely and securely protect your load during shipment. While many straps are rated to hold thousands of pounds, even the toughest of strapping materials can lose their strength when they come into contact with a sharp edge or corner. Edge protectors are the best way to protect straps from being cut or worn down by sharp edges and are recommended whenever you place straps over edges. Edge protectors also help protect your shipment from straps by distributing tension more evenly across the load, preventing it from being crushed by a strap. We’ll take a closer look at how edge protectors prevent strap failure next.
How Edge Protectors Prevent Strapping Material Failure
Whether you’re working with polyester, PET, or steel strapping, all straps can be susceptible to breaking when placed under tension at a sharp edge. Even if a strap doesn’t break, the tiny tears that form when straps are placed over sharp edges greatly reduce their load-bearing capacity and lead to frequent replacement, shortening their lifespan and costing you money. Edge protectors prevent strap failure and maximize the life of your strapping products by:
- Distributing tension across a larger area
- Reducing concentrated stress points
- Preventing cutting and abrasion
- Minimizing strap movement against load edges
- Helping maintain consistent strap tension during transit
- Reducing the likelihood of load shifts
When you use edge protectors, you’re not just investing in the safety of your workers and your merchandise; you’re saving money by not having to replace straps that fail.
Choosing the Right Edge Protectors
Just like strapping products, edge protectors are made from a variety of different materials, each with their own ideal use. Choosing the right edge protector depends on load weight, corner sharpness, environmental conditions, and transportation requirements. Typically, the most common type of edge protector you’ll see used is plastic edge protectors. Plastic edge protectors are the most affordable and cost-effective option and are excellent for palletized products, packaged goods, appliances, and general freight shipments. While they cost more than cardboard edge protectors, they can be reused multiple times, making them more cost-effective in the long run. For extremely heavy loads, you’ll want to use metal edge protectors, as they offer maximum protection and can withstand harsher working conditions. You’ll find the right edge protector for your needs at the best price at USA Strapping!
Find the Right Edge Protector For Your Shipments at USA Strapping
If you’re looking to find the right edge protector for your needs, look no further than USA Strapping! We carry a full line of edge protectors rated for loads and shipments of all sizes. To get started or find out more about the right edge protector for your needs, give our team a call today at 888-768-0001.