Heavy Duty Steel Strapping And Choosing A Steel Strapping Tensioner
If you’re looking for strapping material for heavy loads, heavy duty steel strapping may be the right solution. Although steel strapping has challenges, it remains the most popular choice for strapping and banding in major industries, including the mining, timber, and construction industries.
Since it’s manufactured from carbon and steel alloys, steel strapping can be manufactured in different grades to suit different applications. When you need strength, durability, and minimal stretch, heavy duty steel strapping will fulfill your requirements.
When using steel strapping, the strapping must be tensioned to secure a load or bundles of products; you can choose from various steel strapping tensioners. We’ll look at your tensioning options in a moment.
Firstly however, you may be wondering why you should choose steel strapping over other solutions, especially since it’s often the most expensive choice.
A major reason is its performance in any environment. It’s the preferred strap in the most challenging conditions on the planet.
Heavy duty steel strapping: your choice for great performance in challenging conditions
Although polyester strapping has been called “synthetic steel” and is an excellent choice for many applications, nothing beats heavy duty steel strapping when you need high performance and if you’re facing challenging conditions, as well as harsh environments.
For example, steel strapping excels in harsh conditions, such as those found on oil rigs and in oil refineries, as well as those you’d find in nuclear power plants, and on wind farms.
Choose the right type of heavy duty steel strapping for your application
Heavy duty steel strapping is available in many different types; these types are available in various grades, as well as in varying widths, thicknesses, and coatings. It’s recommended that you seek advice when choosing the strap for your heavy duty applications.
Types of strapping include: standard steel strapping, high tensile strap, stainless steel strap, and galvanized strap.
Standard steel strapping strapping, also known as low-carbon steel strapping, is a great all-round high performance strap for heavy duty use.
Its superior strength means it’s a great choice for many applications. However, if it is exposed to the weather over time, it will corrode.
High tensile steel strapping: a great heavy duty strap for outdoor environments and extreme conditions. It’s a good choice if you’re transporting heavy materials over considerable distances. It’s often used to transport heavy loads in railway boxcars, as well as in container transport.
Stainless steel strapping: a true heavy duty strapping, which is unaffected by extreme weather and temperatures. In the manufacture of stainless steel, chromium is added to iron and carbon, making a product which not only has great strength, but longevity as well.
Unlike standard steel strapping, stainless steel strapping won’t become brittle and snap when it’s under tension in poor conditions.
Galvanized steel strapping: this heavy duty strapping is unaffected by weather, and is also UV-resistant. This form of strapping is similar to stainless steel strapping, but it’s been treated with a zinc coating. This offers both superior performance as well as durability and longevity.
Heavy duty steel strapping tools: tensioners
To secure loads with steel strapping, you need tools to tension, cut and seal your strap to ensure that you secure the strapping tightly, whether over products or pallets. This avoids product damage during shipping or storage.
Each form of steel strapping requires its own tools. For example, if you’re using stainless steel heavy duty strapping, avoid using tools for standard steel strapping. If handled incorrectly, you won’t be able to secure the strapping, and this may cause injuries and damage to loads.
Depending on your applications, you can choose either: manual tools; battery-powered tools; or pneumatic tools.
For manual operation, you need:
- A tensioner;
- A sealer;
- A cutter;
- Seals.
If you’re dealing with high-volume operations, the powered combination steel strapping tools combine operations: they tension, seal and cut the strap in a single operation.
To repeat—for heavy duty steel strapping, use tools which are designed specifically for heavy duty steel strapping.
Of all the tools, your strapping tensioner is most important, because correct tension of your strap is vital for security. When your strap is tensioned correctly, you’ll achieve all the advantages of steel to secure your products and avoid damage.
High volume heavy duty steel strapping: tensioning and sealing
Operators should not only be trained in the use of heavy duty steel strapping, but should also wear appropriate safety gear such as gloves. No matter what type of steel strapping you’re using, its edges are sharp. Moreover, if the steel strap snaps when it’s under tension, the recoil can injure bystanders as well as operators.
For high volume operations, you’ll need a steel strapping dispenser, as well as a combination tool which tensions and seals your strap in a single operation.
If you use a dispenser, you’ll avoid operator injuries from handling strap and also reduce wastage. Combination tools ensure that loads are tensioned and sealed efficiently.
Heavy duty steel strapping and tensioning: get advice
If you’re new to heavy duty strap, the proper advice is essential. Not only will you ensure the best results, you’ll also save money.