When it comes to transporting or storing goods, choosing the right strapping solution is crucial. Plastic and steel strapping are both sufficient choices when considering your strapping needs. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, making the decision between the two an important one. When is it best to use plastic strapping over steel? In this post we’ll delve into the differences between plastic and steel strapping solutions to help you answer that question for your business.
Plastic Strapping
Plastic strapping, typically made from materials like polypropylene (PP) or polyester (PET), offer several benefits that can make it a preferred choice for many situations. The first being that some companies, such as Titan Asia Pacific make all their polypropylene straps out of 100% recycled material. Making it a great choice for companies that are focused on being environmentally friendly.
PET strapping is resistant to rust and corrosion, making it an ideal choice in humid or outdoor environments where the strapping is exposed to the elements. Another advantage of plastic strapping is its flexibility, this allows it to conform to the shape of the products you’re strapping, ensuring your goods are securely held.
PET has higher elongation than steel strap, this allows the product to remain restrained through the transportation cycle and stay firmly held.
Steel Strapping
And that alternative solution is steel strapping. Steel strapping is known for its exceptional strength and durability. Made from high quality steel, this type of strapping is designed to withstand heavy loads and harsh conditions without compromising its integrity or reliability. Steel strapping is your go-to for securing heavy machinery, construction materials, or other bulky items that require maximum support during transport or storage.
One of the biggest advantages to steel strapping is its resistance to elongation or stretching. It guarantees that your load remains properly strapped even under the extreme tensions required to secure large or heavy items. Steel strapping also provides excellent shock absorption, which is ideal to protect fragile or sensitive goods from being damaged during transport. Titan treats every millimetre of their steel strapping with a special heat treatment that drastically improves the strength, shock resistance, and elongation properties of their steel straps. This ensures that their steel strapping will always be reliable when your business needs the extra strength of steel strapping.
Steel strapping does have some downsides. It is heavier and more rigid than plastic strapping which can make it harder to work with. There can also be a risk of the metal strapping rusting if it is exposed to the elements for too long, so regular checks would be required.
How To Choose
The obvious answer is to speak to one of Titan’s specialists, but if you’re deciding for yourself? Ultimately, the decision between PET strapping and steel strapping depends on a variety of factors. The weight and size of the load, environmental conditions, handling, and budget are all variables that you’ll need to consider. For loads that are lighter, with no sharp edges, or that require flexibility, then plastic strapping will likely be the best choice. On the other hand, for heavy duty situations where strength and durability are the main concern, then steel strapping will be the best solution for you.
Long term costs are also worth considering. In situations where you’ll be strapping many smaller and lighter loads then plastic strapping is likely to come out ahead in terms of cost. However, if you’re dealing with loads that may stretch, snap, or otherwise compromise plastic strapping, and then add-in the cost of replacing the strapping, you may find that steel is the better long-term option.
When it comes to packaging and transporting goods, selecting the right strapping solution is essential. You want your loads to be as secure as possible and choosing the wrong strapping solution will jeopardise that. With both options offering their own unique benefits and downsides it’s important to carefully evaluate your businesses specific requirements before deciding. Titan Asia Pacific’s specialists have a wealth of knowledge and experience that your business can benefit from. Contact Titan Asia Pacific today to find out how they can help take your strapping to the next level.