Banding materials used in the packaging industry are different because of different application requirements. The machines and tools used for the banding process also vary depending on the weight and dimensions of the products.
In this article, we will discuss different banding materials and their applications.
Polypropylene Banding
When you need to bundle different products together or secure a cardboard box containing a heavy item, you can consider using polypropylene banding. You can apply this banding material using your hand or machinery.
Machine banding is ideal when you must use the polypropylene banding material of different width, thickness, length, color, and core size. The most fundamental advantage of using machine banding is that it eliminates delays, given the machine functions well. You may want to refer to a machine instruction manual to get guidance about the right type of materials you should use.
Polyester Banding
Polyester banding is a substitute for steel strapping, which is generally used for heavier loads on pallets. Polyester banding works the same way – it helps secure and unitize heavy loads in place. The tightening of polyester banding is done with the help of a tensioning tool. After tightening, packaging professionals use crimping tools to tie knots.
You can get polyester tensioners and crimping tools from hardware stores in your locality. You can use hand tools or battery-powered tools to crimp the bands. Hand tools use buckles, while battery-powered tools weld the bands. This banding keeps the bundles of products together during the shipping process.
Steel Banding
If you want to use the strongest banding material available, you can consider using steel bands. These bands are ideal when you need to stabilize heavier loads during transit. You can tighten these bands with the help of manual tensioners, which pull the bands tightly enough to prevent them from shifting during the shipping process. These bands use buckles and crimping tools to ensure a tighter strapping.
In some cases, replacing steel banding with any other banding product is not possible. The fact of the matter is that some loads even require double stacking of steel bands to ensure a stronger strap around them. These bands are ideal for the strapping of loads that are heavier or oddly-shaped.
Strapping and banding materials are available in different widths and lengths. It means that several other types of strapping materials may fall into each of the aforementioned categories of banding materials. You are going to have to understand these grades and classifications in detail to learn about the best type that you can use for your packaging applications.
Other factors that you will need to consider here are elongation and recovery. These factors come into play when you are determining the susceptibility of your loads to shift suddenly. This phenomenon first involves the shifting of loads, leading to the tension on the strapping materials. The tension occurs on the banding materials, they stretch to lessen the effect.
You can discuss these factors with your packaging supplier to make sure that you are choosing the right strapping material for your product.