Are you part of a logistics team or running a warehouse? If you have a range of products that need to be secured on a pallet, you are going to need a packaging solution that is effective and robust. There are a couple of options you may want to consider – seals and buckles can handle jobs like these.
Yet you might be wondering which specific unitizing processes require seals and which require buckles. If you’re unsure, you will discover the answer in this article. Read on to explore the differences between seals and buckles, and when to use each one.
What is a Strapping Seal and What Are its Properties?
When considering what strapping seals are, they are best described as a shipping supply that binds together the ends of plastic ties that are initially open. You can tighten these seals or crimp them in place when placing them over the packaging solution.
This type of seal has a few properties that make it ideal for securing strapping solutions. Many seals are made of metal and galvanized to eliminate the chances of rust.
Tightening or crimping seals just requires a tool after you add the plastic ties to a pallet. This process ensures the pallet and its load stay secure when moving the items around.
What is a Strapping Buckle and What Are its Properties?
A strapping buckle serves a similar purpose to seals. It can secure polypropylene unitizing ties, but it is used in a slightly different way.
With buckles, you can loop the ties through them after wrapping the straps around the crate. You will then need to tighten the buckle and cut the unitizing ties to the right size with a strapping cutter.
Buckles also have a few properties that work well for polypropylene strapping. Their buckle shape means the strapping will fit snugly inside. Additionally, they feature open ends, around which you can flexibly tighten the looped ends. But they do not require tightening tools to do so.
Pros of Strapping Buckles
It’s also the case that buckles have plenty of advantages. Since they are lightweight, they align well with light-duty applications, such as those where load shifts are less likely.
Buckles are easy to apply and remove, which can save you time when securing or removing lightweight items to a pallet. The fact that they are easy to use, and do not require a sealer machine, means you can apply them without experience with strapping.
This option is also low-cost, so if you need to keep expenses low and have light-duty loads that you need to secure before a short shipping journey, this can work well as a strapping seal solution.
Cons of Strapping Buckles
If you don’t tension the buckle seals enough, they may loosen during the shipping journey. They could also break open, and the strapping could unravel. This means they are unsuited to longer trips or shipping journeys on which the transport needs to travel over rough roads.
They are also not ideal for heavy loads or bulky items because they do not support a high-tension strength as effectively as other types of strapping seals.
Pros of Strapping Seals
If you’re using seals, you will find that they offer a few advantages. These metal closures are an excellent option for heavy loads since you can close the seal joint with a pressure or a welding tool.
Unlike buckles, these unitizing ties also work well for long-distance shipping journeys and rough roads, since their seal is more robust.
They are also designed to be used with poly strapping, feature smooth inside surfaces that are easy to apply, and can strongly grip the strapping well following crimping.
Cons of Strapping Seals
Yet, one disadvantage of seals is that extra equipment is required to crimp or fuse the metal material together and prepare the load for its shipping journey.
Though it is worth the strong and robust sealing process, the equipment required to seal the strapping seals may be more costly than strapping buckles or other types of seals. This means that if you have high-volume strapping needs, you will need to watch your budget.
When to Use a Strapping Seal
You can use seals for specific situations. When you have a heavy load and want to secure it with steel, polypropylene, or PET strapping, strapping seals such as closed strapping seals can provide a superior performance and last throughout the shipping journey.
They are best used in a scenario where you need a permanent, secure, long-term join for your steel or polypropylene strapping.
Seals can work when you need to package items for shipping or storage, and their reliable, strong closure is made to last, whether you are moving unitized items in a warehouse on a pallet or shipping them in a shipping vehicle.
When to Use a Strapping Buckle
If you have thin woven ties, a strapping buckle is the ideal alternative since manufacturers designed it for these specific materials.
It can make reusable fastening possible, which is ideal for when you need to quickly remove the buckle after receiving a shipment. Strapping buckles are also the optimum choice if you need to adjust the tension of the load, since they are not sealed with a tool.
Though flexible, their ability to support a high tensile strength may be less effective than strapping seals. For this reason, you should use strapping buckles for lightweight shipments.
Find Seals and Buckles for Your Pallet Bundling Needs at The Packaging Company
Securing items on a pallet in a warehouse or for logistics purposes is a crucial job that protects valuable products and ensures they do not slip when stacked. If you want to handle this job effectively, the right strapping seals and buckles can help you, and with an understanding of their differences, you can pick the solution that is right for your items.
Trying to find high-quality seals and buckles for unitizing ties? These are both available at The Packaging Company. We stock metal and plastic buckles as well as thread-on and snap-on seals. Find strapping seals and buckles for your pallet bundling needs. Shop for these solutions at The Packaging Company.
