Introduction:
When transporting goods or manufacturing pressed parts, electronics, automotive components, and other complex parts, the type of strapping you use is crucial. Strapping is usually used in industrial settings to combine and stabilize bundles of raw materials or supplies. While there exist other types of strapping, like plastic strapping, steel strapping is a preferred choice for businesses needing to safely secure heavy goods or build complex industrial goods.
This article will provide a detailed analysis of steel strapping, why it’s perfect for your strapping needs, and some safety tips to assist with deployment and use.
What is Steel Strapping?
Steel strapping refers to a type of strapping material made from steel. It is a high-carbon, heat-treated steel that can be used for heavy-duty holding where high breaking strength and shock resistance with minimal stretch are required.
It is essential to know the properties of the strapped steel you intend to use. Generally, their properties are dependent on the composition of the steel and the heat treatment processes applied to the strapping.
Let’s delve into the unique properties of strapped steel.
Properties of Steel Strapping
One of the most popular materials for strapping is stainless steel. The material can be produced in different sizes, all of which can be welded and shaped to adhere to the specifications that the strapping will be used to secure.
Regarding the properties of strapped steel, we must understand that steel is strapped based on product specifications. For the purpose of this article, we would highlight the properties of the stainless steel strips.
Grade | Chromium | Nickel | Tensile Strength (MPa) min | Elongation (% in 50mm) min | Corrosion Resistance | Yield Strength 0.2% Proof (MPa) min |
201 | 17% | 7% | – | – | Good | Excellent |
301 | 17% | 7% | 515 | 40 | Good | 205 |
304 | 17.5% | 8% | 515 | 40 | Good | 205 |
904L | 19% | 23% | 490 | 220 | Excellent | 220 |
410 | 11.5% | – | 480 | 16 | Good | 275 |
430 | 16% | – | 450 | 22 | Good | 205 |
Application of Steel Strapping
Steel strapping can be used across multiple industries. However, you must note that the length of your strapped steel would often be customized for your needs. There’s hardly a one-size-fits-all product.
Here are some common uses of strapped steel.
- Construction
To secure building materials like steel beams, lumber, and pipes requires steel strapping. With high-tensile steel strapping, these materials will resist the stress and tension associated with transporting and storing heavy loads on construction sites.
Because of its resistance to rust, construction workers can rely on steel strapping to secure their materials and enhance stability and safety.
- Automotive Industry
Steel strapping can be used in high-strength steel strips and sheets in manufacturing vehicle components like chassis, bumpers, and body panels. They can also be used in transporting heavy-duty parts safely across different borders.
Because of its high resistance to corrosion, you won’t need to worry about damage or rust during transportation of automotive parts or its use in vehicle manufacturing.
- Shipping of Machine Parts
Steel strapping is essential when shipping bulky goods. It helps to secure cargo in shipping containers by tightly wrapping a band of high-tensile steel around them. Its high strength makes it ideal for automotive parts and large machinery.
When transporting machines, you must use the ideal strapping to guarantee the safety of your product. Steel strapping will suit your needs.
Steel Strapping vs Plastic/PET/Polypropylene Strapping
When it comes to strapping and its applications, there are different modes of strapping that could be used for the aforementioned applications. Steel strapping isn’t the only type of strapping. However, here are the differences and similarities between them.
Property | Steel Strapping | Polypropylene Strapping | PET (Polyester) Strapping |
General | It is the oldest and strongest strapping type. It’s made from coal and used for extremely heavy-duty impact applications. | It is made from lightweight plastic with the purpose of a better grip. It is very suitable for manual tools. | It is made from lightweight plastic like polypropylene but is stronger and more durable. It offers high elongation and tension retention which makes it suitable for medium to heavy-duty loads. |
Shock resistance | Excellent | Poor | Good |
Rust and Corrosion | Yes (unless coated) | No | No |
Recyclability | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tension retention | Moderate | Low | High |
Flexibility | Low | High | Moderate |
Strength | High | Low | Medium |
Manufacturing and Types of Steel Strapping
The steel strapping manufacturing process is a peculiar one. It is formed by slitting cold-rolled steel strip into a required width then coating it with materials like wax, zinc or paint to avoid corrosion and strengthen it. Some of the properties desired for steel strapping are tensile strength, work hardening, ductility, and notch properties.
There are different types of steel strapping:
- Regular Duty Steel Strapping
Regular duty steel strapping is made from low-carbon steel. It is suitable for industrial tools that require a strong hold but aren’t very heavy.
It’s also dent-resistant.
- High-Tensile Steel Strapping
When securing exceptionally heavy loads, high-tensile strength steel is ideal. It is the strongest amongst all steel strapping types.
If you have heavy loads like steel coils or trailers, use the high-tensile strapped steel.
- Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a steel alloy made from carbon, iron, and chromium. Its chromium content makes it resistant to rust, corrosion, and oxidation.
Therefore, if your product will be exposed to extreme weather conditions, for example, marine environments, stainless steel strapping is perfect for you.
- Galvanized / Zinc Coated Steel
While galvanized steel straps are similar to stainless steel straps, they have a peculiarity that stands out.
The galvanized steel goes through a chemical process to coat the steel in zinc. This gives it a unique appearance, makes it UV resistant, and a lot stronger than in its original state.
Safety and Handling Considerations
Handling strapped steel requires care and diligence. This care and diligence are required from the manufacturing to the application stage of the strapped steel.
Here are some tips to help you stay safe when handling strapped steel.
- Protective Equipment: Always wear personal protective equipment during the manufacturing process. For example, safety glasses, a hard hat and safety shoes, which will help protect you in case you are struck by recoiling bands. Also, leather gloves are essential to help protect your hands.
- Keep Personnel Safe: Ensure that all personnel are a safe distance from where the strapping is cut so that they won’t be struck by it.
- Use the Ideal Size to Strap: As we earlier mentioned, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to steel strapping. Ensure you use the ideal size and thickness of steel strapping for your load
- Maintain Your Tools Regularly: Once you do this, you won’t have to worry about damage during the manufacturing or employment phase.
- Train Staff Properly: This is a compliance requirement relating to manufacturing and use of steel strapping for bulky loads. Training your staff properly would help you avoid damage, reputational harm, and fines.
How to Choose the Right Steel Strapping
If you’ve read this far, you know that there are different types of strapping and different types of steel strapping. Each steel strapping type suits a specific need. You can’t use regular duty steel to handle exceptionally heavy loads. It’d most likely break and cause damage.
Therefore, the right steel strapping for you will depend on what you need it for. For example, you may want to ship an exceptionally heavy load, normally you’ll think about high-tensile steel strapping; but what if your good will pass through a highly corrosive environment? For that you’ll likely need to use a stainless-steel strip, which is favorable for highly corrosive environments.
Nevertheless, please always contact a professional to help you make the right choice.
Market Trends and Pricing
The cost of strapped steel will depend on your needs. However, 1 ton could cost between $500 to $700. It all depends on what you are using it for and what type you intend to buy.
FAQ
- What is the purpose of steel strapping?
You may strap steel for one of the following reasons:
- To ship heavy goods
- To use in construction, or
- To use in the manufacture of automobiles
- What is stainless steel strapping used for?
Stainless steel strapping is one of the different types of steel strapping. What makes this particular type of strapping technique peculiar is that it is suitable for marine or highly corrosive environments.
Its extra chromium content helps resist rust.
- How to use steel strapping?
Steel strapping is used either for shipping, automotive manufacture, or construction. To use steel strapping, you must take all the necessary precautions to avoid damage to yourself, your staff, or the good shipped.
As such, there are some best practices to employ whenever you want to use steel strapping. For example, use protective equipment, use the ideal size to strap, and maintain your tools regularly.
- How strong is steel strapping?
While steel strapping is generally stronger than other types of strapping like polypropylene and polyester strapping, not all strapped steel are the same. For example, regular duty steel is not as strong as high-tensile steel.
Nevertheless, strapped steel is very strong, especially high-tensile steel.
Conclusion
Steel strapping is not only useful when shipping heavy load, it is also useful for the manufacturing of automobiles and other construction needs. If you need strapped steel, you must choose one which suits your needs. For example, stainless steel strips would be perfect for highly corrosive environments due to their extra chromium content.
You’ll also need to employ some highly effective safety and handling practices, like cutting the steel using the right material and properly training your personnel to avoid damage or loss.
Have you had any experiences with strapped steel?
Please share in the comments section.
