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You have a lot of options when it comes to strapping, including steel, polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET). Which of these strapping options is the most economical? The cheapest strapping material may not always be the best bet&#;the best value in strapping will always be the material that meets your requirements for strength, stability and performance. But there is no sense in paying more for strapping material than you have to, either. These guidelines will help you balance cost and performance when choosing between steel, PET and PP strapping.
Strapping Costs: Steel vs. PET vs. PP
Strapping costs can vary widely depending on the material type. Here are some general cost considerations when choosing the right strapping material.
Traditional steel strapping is the most expensive. It is also the heaviest, which means you may have extra freight costs to consider.
Strong, lightweight polyester (PET) strapping is often used as a cost-effective alternative to steel strapping. If it is appropriate for your application, it is probably a better value.
Polypropylene (PP) is the cheapest strapping material and performs well for many light-to-medium loads. It is not suitable for all applications, however.
Now, let&#;s take a closer look at cost and benefit factors for each type of strapping material.
Is steel strapping worth the cost?
Steel is the most expensive strapping material, but there are applications where the cost is worth it. Steel has high tensile strength and little to no stretch, meaning that it does not loosen after the load is strapped down. It is best for very large, heavy loads requiring an extra-firm hold, such as logs or building materials. It also is a better choice when strapping down loads that are sharp or hot and may damage PET strapping. Because of its cost, and the relative difficulty of working with steel strapping, it is best to reserve steel for loads that cannot be safely transported with safer and more economical strapping materials such as PET.
Is PET strapping cheaper than steel?
PET or polyester strapping is almost always a cheaper alternative to steel, resulting in cost savings that can be as much as 50%. Pound for pound, PET is stronger than steel, so a roll of PET strapping will be lighter than a roll of steel strapping with the same break strength. So, in addition to saving on material costs, you&#;re likely to save on freight, too. PET has other advantages, too&#;notably when it comes to cost and safety. PET is easier and safer to work with, reducing the risk of injuries that can result when steel strapping is cut and tension is suddenly released. For all these reasons, PET is usually a better value for securing all but the heaviest of loads. Note that PET does have more stretch than steel, so if load shifting is a significant concern, talk to a specialist before making the switch to PET. PET should also be avoided if strapping will be exposed to sharp edges. For most load types, though, PET will provide significant cost savings with few or no drawbacks.
Which strapping material is cheapest?
Of the three options discussed here, polypropylene (PP) is the cheapest option. This highly economical strapping type has many applications in packaging, logistics and industry. Specially designed for light-to-medium weight loads, PP performs well for most general-purpose strapping needs. It is available in a broad range of colors, widths and thicknesses. PP is more flexible than PET, making it a great option for securing boxes and awkward loads. It is also the most commonly used option for table-top strapping machines, for example. However, PP is not strong enough for the heavy loads that steel and PET are designed to handle. It also has poor stretch recovery and is more sensitive to environmental conditions. But if PP is suitable for your application, it will definitely be the most economical choice.
Strapping Cost Considerations
Costs for strapping material are driven by many factors&#;most notably raw material costs. For this reason, strapping prices may fluctuate in response to the price of steel (for steel strapping), petroleum or resin (for PET or PP strapping). Outside of material cost considerations, the cost of strapping will also depend on other factors such as thickness and break strength. Thicker, stronger strapping will be more expensive.
Cost is also driven by volume. Manufacturers with higher production capacity enjoy economies of scale, allowing them to keep costs low for buyers. You may be able to get a volume discount when purchasing larger quantities of strapping.
There are also hidden costs to look out for when purchasing strapping material&#;such as freight costs and service charges tacked on by some suppliers. Strapping is a relatively heavy commodity, so if you are paying freight charges by weight, that can add a lot to the total purchase price. And some suppliers add a convenience charge for same-day/next-day shipping. These costs can add up quickly, driving up your total material costs.
How can you reduce strapping material costs?
The most important factor in reducing strapping costs is choosing the right material. Choose the cheapest material that will serve your purpose without sacrificing safety and reliability.
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If polypropylene (PP) works for your application, it will be the cheapest option.
If you are currently using steel, consider switching to PET. Unless you have a very good reason to stick with steel (such as sharp edges or extreme loads), PET is likely to deliver the same performance with lower costs, less weight and higher safety.
Other considerations:
Know your break strength requirements, and order accordingly. Using strapping that is significantly stronger and thicker than required will drive up costs. On the other hand, you don&#;t want to underestimate, or you risk a dangerous and expensive failure in your strapping material. It may be advisable to stock different grades of strapping material so you can use cheaper material for smaller loads and reserve more expensive strapping for your heaviest applications.
Order in bulk where possible. Volume discounts apply for larger orders of strapping.
Consider shipping and service charges when placing your order. Freight costs can add quite a bit to your total bill, so look for a supplier that offers free delivery options. A local supplier can often get materials to you faster&#;even same day or next day&#;without excessive delivery charges.
Order from a supplier you trust. When ordering strapping materials, you need to know that specifications such as break point, tensile strength and stretch are accurate.
The Best Strapping Material Value
Benchmark can help you find the best value in strapping, including steel, PET and PP. We carry a wide inventory of strapping materials for all kinds of applications, from general-purpose packaging to securing the heaviest loads.
In addition, you can count on us for expertise in strapping material selection. We&#;ll help you find the lowest-cost option that will meet your needs. We can help you determine which strapping material will provide the best combination of price and performance to secure your loads safely and reliably.
Plus, we offer free next-day local delivery for all orders of $150 and the Benchmark price-match guarantee. If you find strapping material at a lower price anywhere, we will match it.
Not sure which type of strapping is best for your application? Talk to one of our product experts.
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