Polypropylene strapping is the most commonly used and least expensive of all strapping ,materials. It's light and easy to apply and recycle. Characteristics include high elongation and elongation recovery, but low retained tension. Available in both manual and machine grade, it can be sealed with buckles, seals, heat seals or friction welds. Polypropylene is best for light duty palletizing, unitizing, carton closing and bundling. It is used in all semi-automatic strappers and nearly all standalone arch machines.
Polyester is the most rigid of all strapping materials. It elongates significantly less than polypropylene and retains tension over a longer period. Polyester is nick resistant and can be sealed with seals, heat or friction welds. Frequently used on heavy duty loads that need high initial tension along with high retained tension. Common applications are empty cans and bottles, lumber, and heavy, rigid palletizing. Polyester is available in both machine grade and hand grade and is easy to dispose of and to recycle.
Polyester cord strapping is available in regular, heavy duty, in both a unilne style, where polyester strands are glued together, and a woven style where the fibers are woven together. Certain heavy duty sizes are also available as a coated, composite product combining both polyester cord and a polypropylene coating. Polyester Cord is used only in manual applications and is sealed using wire buckles, seals, or in some cases, tied. Polyester Cord offers excellent resistance to moisture and is frequently used in outdoor applications. Heavy Duty Polyester Cord is frequently used as a less expensive, safer replacement for steel strapping, especially in the lumber industry. Other common applications are agricultural (bracing of fruit trees), and in the boat industry.