Strapping and banding are used to secure items for shipping or storage. There are many different types of products. Polypropylene strapping and polypropylene banding is suitable for securing lightweight bundles, boxes, cases, parcels and palletized loads. Often, polypropylene strap and polypropylene band is secured with hand tools such as tensioners, sealers, or friction welders. Machine strapping and banding for automatic equipment is also available. Steel strapping and steel banding is designed for heavier, palletized loads; plywood cases and wooden crates; and sharp-edged objects. Polyester strapping and polyester banding (PET strap) is comparable to some types of steel strap in terms of break strength, but is less expensive and resistant to rust. Stainless steel strapping and banding is also corrosion-resistant.

Specifications for plastic strapping and plastic banding include width, thickness, and coil diameter; core size, footage per hundred weight, and total length per coil; inner diameter (ID) and outer diameter (OD); and face size and color. Metal strapping and metal banding carries these same specifications, along with additional parameters such as type (grade) and tensile strength. Stainless steel strapping and stainless steel banding is made of metals from the Type 200 - Type 300 range. Other types of steel banding and steel strapping are painted and waxed, or available with a solvent-based zinc epoxy that provides greater corrosion protection than water-based paints. Metal strapping and metal banding may receive approvals from the American Association of Railroads (AAR) and the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM).

Strapping and banding are used to secure items for shipping or storage. There are many different types of products. Polypropylene strapping and polypropylene banding is suitable for securing lightweight bundles, boxes, cases, parcels and palletized loads. Often, polypropylene strap and polypropylene band is secured with hand tools such as tensioners, sealers, or friction welders. Machine strapping and banding for automatic equipment is also available. Steel strapping and steel banding is designed for heavier, palletized loads; plywood cases and wooden crates; and sharp-edged objects. Polyester strapping and polyester banding (PET strap) is comparable to some types of steel strap in terms of break strength, but is less expensive and resistant to rust. Stainless steel strapping and banding is also corrosion-resistant.

Specifications for plastic strapping and plastic banding include width, thickness, and coil diameter; core size, footage per hundred weight, and total length per coil; inner diameter (ID) and outer diameter (OD); and face size and color. Metal strapping and metal banding carries these same specifications, along with additional parameters such as type (grade) and tensile strength. Stainless steel strapping and stainless steel banding is made of metals from the Type 200 - Type 300 range. Other types of steel banding and steel strapping are painted and waxed, or available with a solvent-based zinc epoxy that provides greater corrosion protection than water-based paints. Metal strapping and metal banding may receive approvals from the American Association of Railroads (AAR) and the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM).

Strapping and banding are used in a variety of applications. Hand-grade polypropylene strapping and banding is used in carton closure, bundling, and reinforcement applications. Machine-grade polypropylene is produced in a variety of core sizes to fit most automatic strapping machines. Polyester strapping and polyester banding provides excellent retained tension, superior recovery properties, and compliance with requirements for bundling construction materials such as brick and lumber. Because of its resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light and weather, PET strap is also suitable for outdoor use in both hot and cold climates. Steel strapping and banding is more expensive than polyester, but provides outstanding strength. Stainless steel strapping and stainless steel banding is used in combination with stainless steel clips, but buckles may be used for light to medium-duty applications.