Struggling with straps that loosen mid-shipment or snap under pressure, leading to costly damages? In today’s fast-paced logistics world, reliable bundling isn’t optional—it’s essential. PET strapping band have emerged as a top choice for securing pallets, heavy cargo, and industrial goods, offering unmatched durability without the hazards of steel. This guide breaks down what PET is, its manufacturing process, available sizes, and a head-to-head comparison with polypropylene (PP) strapping. Whether you’re in building materials, metal fabrication, timber, or general logistics, you’ll walk away equipped to choose smarter.
What Is 100% PET Material?
100% PET material refers to pure Polyethylene Terephthalate, a high-strength polyester widely used in industrial packaging.
In strapping production, “100% PET” means the belt is made entirely from PET—either virgin resin or high-grade recycled flakes—with no PP blends or fillers.
This purity directly affects performance. PET has a naturally high tensile strength, excellent elasticity, and strong resistance to heat, UV, and moisture. These properties allow PET straps to maintain tension during long-distance transportation or outdoor storage, making them ideal for industries such as building materials, metal fabrication, timber, and logistics.
How PET Strapping Is Made
PET strapping band is produced through a controlled process designed to maximize strength, stability, and machine compatibility. Each step influences the performance of the final product.
1. Drying the Material
PET resin must be dried to remove moisture before processing. Excess moisture creates air bubbles and weak points that reduce the strap’s strength.
2. Extrusion
The dried resin is heated and melted, then extruded through a die to form a continuous plastic strip. The precision of this step ensures consistent thickness and width—critical for fully automatic strapping machines.
3. Cooling
The hot extruded strip passes through a water bath to solidify. Proper cooling helps maintain flatness and dimensional stability.
4. Stretching
Next, the strap is stretched multiple times its original length. This molecular orientation dramatically increases:
- Tensile strength
- Elongation capacity
- Impact resistance
This step is what turns a basic plastic strip into a high-performance polyester strap.
5. Embossing
Most PET straps are embossed to increase grip during tensioning and improve heat-welding efficiency for automatic tools.
6. Heat Setting
A controlled heat-setting process stabilizes the strap so it maintains tension and does not shrink or deform under load.
7. Coiling & Quality Control
Finally, the strap is wound into coils and tested for break strength, elongation, surface quality, and welding performance.
What Is the Width of a PET Strap?
PET strapping band is available in several standard widths, each suited to different packaging requirements.
| Width | Applications |
|---|---|
| 9 mm | Light bundles and small packages |
| 12 mm | General logistics and semi-auto machines |
| 15–16 mm | Most common for palletizing, warehouse packaging, automatic lines |
| 19 mm | Heavy-duty loads, construction materials |
| 25–32 mm | Extremely heavy loads, steel strap replacement |
The width directly influences the strap’s tensile strength. Industries that handle heavy or shifting loads—such as bricks, pipes, or metal coils—typically select 16–32 mm, while logistics operations prefer 12–16 mm for speed and efficiency.
PET vs. PP Strapping: Which Wins for Your Operation?
PP and PET straps may look alike, but their chemistry drives night-and-day differences. PP suits budget bundling; PET excels in tough scenarios. Here’s the breakdown:
Strength & Durability
- PP: Moderate tensile (50–360 kg); fine for light-medium loads but prone to tearing under stress.
- PET: Superior (200–2160 kg); rivals steel for heavy apps, with 25% higher tension capacity than PP.
Tension Retention
- PP: Suffers 10–20% creep over time, loosening in storage or transit.
- PET: Holds 95%+ tension for months, even outdoors—UV/heat resistant up to 6x longer than PP.
Elasticity & Shock Resistance
- PP: Stretches 4–10% but snaps rigidly on impacts; higher elongation but less recovery.
- PET: 2–6% stretch with 15–20% recovery, absorbing jolts like vibrations in trucking without permanent deformation.
Cost Efficiency
- PP: Lower upfront (~$0.02–0.04/m) but higher long-term from failures/restrapping.
- PET: ~20–50% pricier ($0.04–0.08/m) yet ROI-positive: A global logistics firm switching to PET cut costs 40% via fewer damages and faster ops. For heavy loads, it slashes waste by 2–3x.
Application Suitability
- PP: Cartons, light parcels, high-speed lines (e.g., food/retail).
- PET: Pallets, bricks, metals, exports, outdoor/high-vibe hauls.
Bottom Line: PP for quick, low-stakes jobs; PET for heavy, long-haul, or premium security. In a 2023 analysis, mismatched strapping hiked failure risks 43% in transit—don’t learn the hard way.
Ready to Upgrade? Your Next Steps
PET strapping isn’t just reliable—it’s a smart investment for safer, greener packaging (recyclable and lighter than steel). Contact us for samples tailored to your setup. Secure smarter—start with PET today!
