PET Strap

What Is PET Strap Used For?

Polyester strapping (PET strap) is used as a safe, cost-effective alternative to steel strapping for securing medium-to-heavy loads such as palletized general cargo, construction materials (brick, block, profile), and beverage or food crates.

Elasticity and Tension Retention

The key difference between PET strap and steel strap is that PET stretches slightly under tension and largely retains that tension afterward. If the load settles slightly during transport, PET strap partially compensates for the resulting slack, keeping the securing intact. This makes PET strap more reliable than steel strapping on long routes and with compressible load groups in particular.

Advantages

• High tensile strength: Delivers performance close to steel strapping in many applications.
• Lightweight and safety: Lighter than steel; if it breaks, it does not carry the same sharp snap-back risk as steel strapping.
• Rust-free: No corrosion issues in humid environments.
• Recyclable: An environmentally friendly packaging material.

Joining Method

PET strap is joined mechanically with a metal or plastic buckle, or by the hot melt (friction-weld) method, in which the ends are melted by friction heat and fused together. Because hot melt joining requires no separate buckle piece, it saves material and is fast on fully automatic strapping lines.

Application Areas

Construction materials (brick, tile, concrete block), bundles of metal sheet and profile, beverage and food crates, and cartons grouped on pallets are the most common applications for PET strap. For medium-to-heavy loads that don't need the weight and cost of steel strapping but still require high tension retention, PET strap is usually the first choice.

Points to Consider

• For the heaviest industrial loads, it may not reach the absolute strength level that steel strapping offers at the same cross-section.
• It is joined using plastic buckles or the hot melt (heat-weld) method; it is not compatible with steel strapping buckles.
• Extended outdoor storage and UV exposure can gradually reduce its strength somewhat.

Common Issues

• Weak hot melt joint: If the weld time or temperature is insufficient, the joint can open before the strap itself fails.
• Incorrect width/thickness selection: PET strap selected too narrow or too thin for the load weight can stretch and loosen earlier than expected.
• Tensioner mismatch: A manual strapping tensioner that doesn't match the strap width results in uneven tension.

Storage Recommendation

PET strap coils should be stored in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight. Coils left unpackaged outdoors for extended periods can develop UV-related hardening in their outer layers, which can cause earlier-than-expected brittleness during tensioning.

Comparison with Steel Strapping

Raw strength isn't the only criterion when choosing between PET strap and steel strapping. PET strap's tension-retention property gives it a practical edge over steel on compressible loads, while steel strapping stands out for very heavy, non-deforming loads that require absolute rigidity. See the strapping and lashing category page for a detailed comparison.