Having the right strapping products for the job makes all the difference when working with heavy loads. Several different types of straps are available on the market, including polyester, woven, and composite strapping. Understanding how these different strapping materials work and their best uses can help you safely secure heavy loads. At USA Strapping, we proudly provide our customers with strapping products of all kinds for jobs of all sizes. Let’s look at some of your options for securing heavy loads.
Overview of Polyester Strapping
Polyester strapping is a strong and efficient choice that makes it an excellent strapping material for some heavy loads. The main benefits you get from using polyester straps include:
- Minimal stretching under tension
- Strong break strength
- Recyclability and cost effectiveness
Polyester strapping can be an excellent option for securing or palletizing larger loads. The main downside to this type of strapping material is that it is susceptible to damage from sharp edges. If you use polyester strapping to secure loads with sharp edges, you’ll need to use edge protectors to prevent damage to the strapping material.
Overview of Woven Strapping
Woven strapping material, including woven polyester strapping, is an excellent option if you have concerns about shock and need a more flexible strapping material. Shippers typically choose a woven strapping material for applications like:
- Bundling
- Export shipping
- Securing irregularly sized loads
Since woven strapping must be secured with a strong buckle, one significant downside is the added time to apply and tension the straps properly. Woven strapping materials are also bulkier and more time-consuming than other strapping options. However, if you need to secure an irregularly sized load, woven strapping can be an excellent option!
Overview of Composite Strapping
Composite strapping is the strongest of the other two strapping materials we have mentioned so far! Most composite strapping materials are made from polyester strands covered in a polymer coating to create a rugged, abrasion-resistant strapping material. Composite strapping is often called synthetic steel as it offers excellent abrasion resistance without the risk of corrosion from moisture-rich environments. Composite strapping is also very lightweight, which makes it easier to handle than traditional steel straps. The main downside of composite straps is the slightly higher cost and added labor times. If you’re looking for an alternative to steel straps, composite strapping materials provide an excellent combination of strength and corrosion resistance!
Cost Considerations of Different Strapping Products
If you’re considering these types of strapping products for your operations, cost will likely play a role in your decision. Of these three types of strapping materials, polyester straps are the most affordable, followed by woven straps, and composite strapping is the most expensive option. Polyester straps are the most compatible with manual and pneumatic tools you likely already have on hand, while woven and composite strapping may require specialty tools. We recommend you choose your strapping material based on your individual needs, as having the right strapping products will save you money and time in the long run by reducing damage to your products in storage and shipment.
Safety Benefits of Different Strapping Products
We have compared and contrasted all three strapping materials; all three have a better safety profile than steel straps. Steel straps can be dangerous to work with as they are heavy and can create sharp edges that injure workers. Polyester, woven, and composite straps are all lighter than steel and have less risk of cutting into your employees and products.
Compare Different Straps and Strapping Materials Today at USA Strapping!
For the most cost-efficient strapping option, we recommend using polyester straps, woven straps for irregularly sized loads, and composite straps for the heaviest loads. USA Strapping offers all strapping materials at the best price possible. Call us today at 888-768-0001 to learn how we can save you money on strapping products!