Not too many years ago, steel banding was the standard for strapping materials together. In fact, there was nothing which could stand up to the tension and demands of banding, except steel. However, as plastics continued to advance and improve, they became stronger and more durable. Plastic is much cheaper to produce than steel, and the poly strapping machine is becoming more and more popular in the industry today. However, steel still has its uses, and it’s important to know the difference between the two, so you can make the best decision for your business. Here is important information to aid your decision-making process.
Stretching and Recovery
The banding process requires a lot of tension on the bands. In fact, this tension helps to keep loads together. Steel straps keep their properties after banding. When you stretch steel bands, you don’t have to worry about the bands elongating or changing shape. However, this is not the case with plastic materials like nylon, polyester, or polypropylene, commonly used in poly strapping machine technology.
It’s important to take the materials into consideration when choosing bands. For example, some loads shrink very little when banded. This includes wooden pallets, boxes, and heavy metal items. Some materials like cardboard give underneath the pressure of banding, and you need bands with as little tension decay as possible. Tension decay is the amount of tension a material loses over time. If you need plastic bands that keep their tension, it’s best to choose polyester or nylon for your poly strapping machine.
Plastic or Steel?
Plastic bands work well for light to medium applications. For heavy-duty jobs, steel is still the standard. However, if you’re not sure, contact your banding professionals. They can help you choose the best machines and materials for your business, and with years of experience, you receive professional advice and dependable customer service.
