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There are several different systems for sealing poly strapping, and the correct seals must match the strap and the sealer. Incorrect and it's like tying chain together with a paperclip. The correct system will result in joint efficiencies of 75 percent plus. Incorrect and you might see 25 percent.
Match the strap and the sealing system
Different types of non-metallic strapping have different characteristics. You must have a sealing system that works well with the strapping you have selected.
Polypropylene strapping(PPY)
PPY has a textured or embossed surface. The highs and lows in this strapping will nest together quite well and all you need to do is hold the two pieces together quite strongly. This can be done with wire or plastic buckles, or with smooth metal seals. Just be sure you buy a sealer designed for smooth seals. This sealer will close the seal and make a series of dents across the surface of the seal, pressing the highs and lows together. Buckles also have a good joint efficiency. Their drawback is the height off the package, This can cause one package to snag anoher while moving them around or on conveyors. Seals are a lower profile.
Polyester Strapping(PET)
PET has a hard, slippery surface and the PPY sealing systems just do not work well at all on it. The method of choice for PET is the serrated seal. The seal has a series of 'teeth' or points on the inside surface of the seal. These serrations will hold the surface of the strap quite well, resulting in joint efficiencies of 75 percent or better. The correct sealer for these seals will have offset jaws. In other words, the jaws on one side are long and the other side is short. This is what is necessary to close the seal, due to its shape.
Heat Sealing
A heat seal can be accomplished with a hand operated tool or a tabletop strapper or an arch type strapper. The hand tools can be battery operated, plug in or pneumatic. New tabletops start around $800 and the hand tools are even more, starting around $1200 for anything decent. This will save you the ongoing cost of seals, savings offset somewhat by maintainence and repairs.
Signode's System
Signode makes PET and PPY strapping, called Tenax and Contrax, respectively. They use the same sealing system for both. This is because their PPY is made smooth and doesn't have the embossing to hold in the PPY system(see above). Signode's seals have what looks to be fine sand sprinkled on the inside after clear laquer was applied. Signode uses a rather odd system, in that the seal must be 'squashed' down the proper amount for the the strap thickness you are using. Therefore, they make two sealers for 1/2" and but one for 5/8". There is a chart showing which is the correct sealer for which strap,how to tell which sealer is which(they are not labeled), etc. on one of our custom pages in our store. Please go there if you want more info on Signode's system. Warning: Signode's seals are rather expensive so if you do not have their sealer, do not buy one. Go with the serrated system, even if using Signode strap.
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