General Fasteners Limited

Handling, Storage & Shipping Factors

How a load will be handled, stored and shipped plays in important part in the selection of the correct strapping. For example, loads handled by overhead crane require a stronger strap with greater impact absorption than loads moved by conveyor or fork lift truck.

Environmental factors impact strap selection. Every type of strapping is, to varying degrees, vulnerable to extreme conditions of heat, cold, moisture and ultraviolet sunlight.

For example, standard steel strapping finishes that are exposed to moisture or humidity may rust.

Polypropylene strapping can lose much of its holding power when exposed to 140 degree F (60 degree C) temperatures, which are found in closed trucks and railcars during the summer months.

Plastic strap may not hold up well if loads are stored outside for extended periods of time in hot, dry climates the ultraviolet rays of the sun will deteriorate plastic strapping.

As you consider these factors, remember that we are talking about climatic extremes; and not ordinary weather conditions.

We must consider whether the loads will be stacked or stored in racks. If the loads are to be stacked, then a plastic strap may be the logical selection to take up the slack when the compression of the other loads is removed. Note: Many stacked loads, such as steel sheets and compressed lumber, do not settle when other loads are placed on top of them. Therefore, they can be packaged with steel strapping.

Conversely, since loads that are stored in racks are not subject to the rigors of stacking, they often can use a lighter grade strapping.

Another consideration is method of transportation. Will it travel by road, railway, sea or air?

Loads shipped by rail may be impacted in switchyards as the railcars are connected. Therefore, the package requires strapping that will absorb impacts without breaking.

And, less-than-car-load (LCL) shipments often require more careful packaging than full car load (CL) shipments to keep the individual loads from impacting each other.

While loads shipped by truck may not be prone to the impact severity of rail shipments, they do bear the brunt of potholes, curbs, and frequent handling at depots. And, as with rail shipments, the less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments frequently require more careful packaging as they are subject to greater impacts and handling than full truckload (TL) shipments.

Overseas containers must be strapped to absorb the forward-backward, side-to-side, and up-and-down motion of ocean-going ships. The shipper must also consider the effect which water will have on the strapping. Moisture can cause steel strapping to rust, which may damage the package surface.

How far will it ship? A load may be strapped differently if goes across town rather than cross-country. Conversely, if the shipper can't pinpoint beforehand where loads will be shipped, all loads may have to be strapped to handle the worst-case scenario. Yet another factor is the number of times that the load will be handled. For example, LTL shipments are often handled multiple times as they are moved in and out of freight depots.

Distance and mode of shipment are only 2 of many factors to be considered. How many times the load will be handled is another consideration. It is not unusual for LTL shipments to be transferred to several carriers over the course of its destination. Each handling may damage the load.