Steel strapping was the most popular option available to the industry till a few years ago. Customers wanted steel strapping because it was the strongest strapping and believed that it was the best to pack. But it does have a major flaw, and that is rust.

Unfortunately, not much can be done about this. The steel strapping will be exposed to the elements and this is mostly unavoidable. Then with a lot of design and development the stainless strapping was introduced in the market. This has proved to be an advantage to the industry as it is as strong as the steel strapping and it is more durable too.

Time and again stainless steel strapping has proved its worth. Stainless steel strapping also provides UV resistance and has a great break strength. This strapping can be used for a variety of purposes too apart from industrial use. The most commonly used stainless steel varieties are, 201, 317 and 304. The most widely used stainless steel strapping is the 201. It is the most durable and strongest of all stainless steel strapping. This steel has more tension and elasticity and it is very easy to handle.

The 317 stainless steel strapping is well known for its resistance to rusting. When compared to regular steel this is considered more resistant to corrosion as the components of this steel is a mixture of alloys. However, market indicates that this steel is less popular as it is more expensive when compared with other kinds of steel strapping. The 304 stainless steel strapping is less expensive when compared to other steel strapping and is more resistant to corrosion than the other two stainless steel strappings. This kind of stainless steel strapping has proven time and again to be the best bet for places where chemical exposure is possible.

The benefits of using Stainless steel when compared to Steel Strapping: 

• Stainless steel strapping has higher break strength when compared to steel
• Stainless steel can withstand harsher climatic conditions when compared to steel
• Steel can cause damage to cargo while being packed, but stainless steel causes lesser damage.
• Steel has sharper edges and can cause cuts, whereas stainless steel is not as sharp and has a good finish.
• Steel is ideal for heavy duty cargo, stainless steel is ideal for harsh conditions and when corrosive substances are being transported.

Depending on the nature of packaging both stainless and steel strapping have their own advantages and can be put to use accordingly.

When it comes to durability in the strapping industry, steel has always been the go to option because of its obvious strength and protection. However, steel, despite its numerous advantages, has one major flaw – rust. When exposed to extreme climatic conditions, steel does not hold up and rusting causes damage to the cargo and also makes it hard to handle the cargo for fear of injuries.

The solution to this is the use of stainless strapping. When it comes to withstanding extreme weather conditions, stainless strapping is the way to go. Just as strong and durable as steel, stainless steel has the added benefit of longevity, making it a safer option for strapping solutions. Stainless strapping like steel also provides UV resistance and good break strength. Unlike poly strapping, steel strapping is ideal for heavy duty cargo and best used for long distance transport and for large and breakable cargo. Stainless steel is the ideal choice when exposure to harsh conditions and corrosive substances is expected.

Stainless strapping is available from Allstrap in a variety of sizes and finishes that can be used depending on the specific requirement for the cargo packaging. Available from 0.5” to 1.25” the stainless strapping from Allstrap can meet all strapping needs, be it personal or for industrial applications.

There are three commonly used types of stainless strapping:

201 Stainless Strapping

The 201 stainless steel strapping is the standard in the strapping industry. Among all the various types of steel available, the 201 is considered among the strongest and durable. Most steel is an alloy of iron and chromium, the 201 also contains nickel and manganese. The 201 is also considered bendy and has greater tension and elasticity, making it easier to handle.

317 Stainless Strapping

The 317 steel stands out for its resistance to rust and corrosion when exposed to marine environments or even chemicals. The mixture and components of this alloy allow for greater resistance to corrosion as compared to regular steel or even other types of stainless strapping. The disadvantage of the 317 is that it is relatively more costly and among the weaker options of stainless steel.

304 Stainless Strapping

The 304 though not as strong as the 201 variety, is much more resistant to corrosion than and not as expensive as the 317 variety of stainless steel. Available from 0.5” to 0.75” it is the ideal solution in cases where exposure to chemicals is a possibility.