In the early 1960's, at a time when the only pallet securing product available was steel strapping, DuPont developed a process for "orienting" nylon strapping. This process imparts a break strength 3 to 4 times that of an un-oriented nylon strap, strong enough and with sufficient impact resistance to tightly secure pallet loads of goods during shipment from plant to customers.

Why use nylon strapping? Because it works, is easy to apply, and is cost effective.

Today, there are four strapping products available in the market place to secure pallet loads.  In addition to nylon and steel strapping, polypropylene and polyester plastic strapping systems have been developed.

A summary of each strap's performance capability is as follows:

  • Polypropylene Strapping — Least initial tightness after joint is made and highest relaxation over time.
    • Lowest tensile strength and abrasion resistance of the 3 straps.
    • Polypropylene strapping is good enough for many applications
    • Bears the lowest cost.
  • Polyester Strapping — Much stronger than polypropylene strapping (comparable to nylon strapping).
    • Polyester strapping does not elongate, but its initial tightness on the load is retained over time.
    • If a load shrinks or shifts in transit, straps can become loose, like steel strap.
    • If a pallet is dropped, it is more likely for this strap to break vs. polypropylene or nylon strapping (both of which will elongate and snap back).
    • Polyester strapping falls intermediate in price between other two straps.

Nylon strap will stretch up to 6-7% allowing it to lengthen and contract based on the load properties. Nylon strap will stretch up to 6-7% allowing it to lengthen and contract based on the load properties.

  • Nylon Strapping — Regarded by many as the premium nonmetallic strap.
    • When applied to a pallet load, nylon strapping is elongated approximately 7% and retains this extra tension over time.
    • If a load shrinks or shifts during transit, the strap recovers and shrinks back to maintain tight grip on load.
    • If the load is dropped, momentary additional elongation will occur and prevent strap breakage.
    • Nylon strapping exhibits the best impact strength and abrasion resistance of any other strap product. 
    • Nylon strap can be heat sealed, friction welded, or joined with scored metal or grit seals. The center of the strap is embossed allowing for superior grip in the friction weld process, while the smooth edges weld at a slower rate, improving the overall joint strength.
    • Nylon strapping is priced such that many users regard the incremental additional price as an insurance premium against loose and/or broken straps, especially with shipments of higher value goods. It is one of the most cost effective of all strapping materials.

Basic Applications of Nylon Strapping

Nylon strapping can be used in several differing applications.  Below is a list of a few of the applications used with nylon strapping.

  1. Unitizing - unitizing is generally used when bringing together boxes or products with the same shape.  Most commonly unitizing refers back to a basic "A load."
  2. Bundling - Bundling is used when pulling together smaller products, thus making the loads easier to handle.
  3. Palletizing - When products are placed on a pallet and secured, this is called palletizing.  Palletizing does not require uniformity.
  4. Skidding - skidding is similar to palletizing only it is used with products which are much heavier - such as steel, paper, and aluminum rolls, for example.
  5. Closure - many times boxes or totes, for example, are secured and closed with nylon strap so as to not damage the outside packaging.
  6. Securement - Securement occurs when the nylon strap is used to ensure that the product stays in a desired placement - such as large coils being kept from unwinding.
  7. Reinforcement - Nylon strapping can be used to further increase the security of a product in a vessel.
  8. Baling - Baling is used to keep loose products together by wrapping the nylon around the circumference of the product - such as cotton, synthetic fibers, etc.
  9. Car loading - Many products previously secured on rail cars by steel strapping are now being secured by nylon strapping.  Examples of such products include paper rolls, lumber, large pipes, machinery and other similar products.

What industries currently use nylon strap?

  • Lumber and Wood Products
  • Paper Industry
  • Printing, Publishing or Allied Industries
  • Plastics Pipe
  • Aluminum Extruded Products
  • Metal Doors, Frames, Molding, and Trim Manufacturing
  • Commercial Equipment
  • Furniture Industries