Steel strapping was widely used to secure packages earlier to the launch of nylon strapping in 1960's. Subsequently polyester strapping and polypropylene strapping entered the market offering significant cost savings and features.

Polypropylene strapping is most widely used plastic strapping due to its low cost and acceptable features to suit most packaging applications.

Polyester strapping offers better break strength than polypropylene strapping. Polyester strapping offers higher tensioning capability, minimal elongation and high retained tension over time. The limitation with polyester strapping is low elongation recovery due to which if the package is dropped / damaged / deformed during transit, polyester strapping is not capable of stretching or adjusting, but might just snap.

Nylon strapping offers high break strength along with elongation and elongation recovery properties but is expensive compared to polypropylene strapping.

The right choice of plastic strapping - nylon strapping / polyester strapping / polypropylene strapping, has to be taken depending upon the package design, required break strength, elongation, elongation recovery, etc.

The choice of Plastic strapping systems depends upon multiple factors which include the end product, type of packaging, number of units to be packed, availability of manpower, etc.

The available strapping systems are hand strapping tools, semi automatic strapping machines and automatic strapping machines. The investment criteria on these systems is based on performance, volume of packaging, consistency, maintenance support, minimal down time and more importantly availability of performing consumable at reasonable cost.

The hand strapping tools are most widely used strapping systems as they are the least expensive and most flexible. Adaptable to employ for packaging any type of package, ability to handle variety of packages, discretion and capacity to apply tension to the required level are a few factors which favor hand strapping tools. The limitations are availability of man power, inconsistency depending upon the operator involved and operatonal efficiency which includes volume of packaging, reliability, etc. Quality strapping specifications are minimal with the emphasis being only on break strength and elongation recovery.

Semi automatic strapping systems involve an automated system for tensioning, sealing and feeding strap for the new packaging cycle. The semi automatic machines are available in various models and the selection criteria are the size of package, weight and handling methods of the package. The semi automatic strapping machines require human involvement to initiate the packing cycle after the package is positioned for packaging. The packing operator needs to place the package on the machine and activate the packing cycle which is automated and includes tensioning to the desired level, cutting the strapping, heat sealing both loose ends of strapping, and prefeed the required length for the next packing cycle. Quality strapping specifications are less demanding due to the involvement of the operator. For long term maintenance free operations of semi automatic strapping machines, stiffness of strapping to ensure better performance of cutting mechanism, minimal generation of dust due to scraping, minimal camber to ensure better joints and and joint strength are a few criteria to be looked into.

Fully automatic strapping systems are employed on packaging lines which involve operator less packaging operations or high speed packaging lines. Once the package gets to the location on the conveyor, the strapping machine is activated which completes the packing cycle and gets ready for the next package to arrive. The quality strapping specifications are very demanding for smooth and consistent operation of automatic strapping machines without downtime.

4C Packs Private Limited manufacture plastic strapping to supply automatic strapping machine consumable which ensure reliable operations without downtime and maintenance. Polypropylene plastic strapping manufactured from virgin polypropylene granules under strict production supervision has ensured reliable performance of plastic strapping from 4C Packs which has been tested on automatic strapping systems since 2003.

Polypropylene strapping is the most widely used plastic strapping material due to excellent properties for polypropylene to impart elongation recovery to ensure better package quality over time and transit, better heat sealing on various techniques including heating, friction, etc and the low density which allows to get more meterage per kg.

Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of industries including food packaging, textiles, automotive components and plastic bank notes. Due to its excellent resistance to fatigue polypropylene is the most widely used material for manufacture of hinges as in bottle caps.

Polypropylene strapping has widely replaced steel and polyethylene strapping due to advantages on pricing, heat sealability and joint strength.

Welcome to the plastic strapping blog

The world has taken to blogging in a big way and we felt it apt to have a platform for discussing specifications and performance of polypropylene plastic strapping on fully automatic strapping machines.

Please share your knowledge and views on plastic strapping and application of the same in your packaging design and the plastic strapping tools, plastic strapping machines employed.

Best Regards,

Ravi Kumar Chava

Chief Executive

4C Packs Private Limited

Hyderabad, India 

http://www.4cpacks.com