Securing Loads and Structures With Durable Perforated Steel Banding

From securing palletized goods for transport to holding together structural building elements, perforated steel banding offers high strength and long-lasting performance across many load restraint and fastening applications. Compared to other types of industrial strapping and ties, perforated steel banding combines durability, adjustability, and ease of installation.

This versatile metal banding is comprised of cold rolled steel formed into adjustable bands complete with holes or slots along the length. The perforations provide attachment points for securing the banding using mechanical seals or buckles. Let’s examine the benefits, usage scenarios, and selection criteria for perforated steel banding.

Benefits of Perforated Steel Banding

Perforated steel banding offers a number of advantages that make it a top choice for securing and fastening:

Strength and Durability

The high tensile steel construction allows perforated banding to withstand up to 3,000 psi of pressure without deforming. This high strength secures loads through transport and weather exposure.

Reus​ability

Unlike plastic or cord straps that must be cut for removal, steel banding can be detached and reused repeatedly with proper use and care.

Adjustability

The perforations provide incremental adjustment and tightening of banding to accommodate different size loads and structures. This adjustability also allows for retensioning as needed.

Rust Resistance

Galvanization or other coatings provide corrosion resistance for use of perforated bands in outdoor and wet environments over years of service.

Lightweight

Despite the high strength, perforated steel bands remain lightweight per linear foot for ease of handling and installation.

Applications of Perforated Steel Bands

Rounded perforated banding and flat banding styles accommodate a wide range of fastening and securing uses:

Pallet and Crate Securing

For transport of palletized goods by truck, rail or ship, steel bands wrapped and tensioned around a pallet or crate provide reliable load containment.

Structural Bracing and Reinforcing

In construction, perforated banding acts as an adjustable brace or fastener for structural elements like trusses, scaffolds, forms, and more.

Cable and Pipe Securing

Wrapping bundles of electrical cable or plumbing pipe for better organization and support during installation and use.

Outdoor Signage and Lighting

Perforated bands permanently or temporarily fasten signage, lights, antennas, awnings, and other exterior fixtures to poles and buildings.

Securing Irregular and Round Loads

From barrels and drums to rolls of fabric or carpet, steel bands easily secure irregular cylindrical items to pallets during transport and storage.

Perforated Steel Banding Types

Beyond the basic banding styles of rounded and flat, there are a few key variations to consider:

Galvanized Steel

Gavanized steel straight fixing band offers corrosion resistance for long term outdoor use. Either hot dipped or electrolytic zinc coating processes provide protection.

Stainless Steel

More expensive but even more rust-resistant for extreme weather exposure. Often required for sea transport.

Tool-Applied

These bands integrate a buckle or seal that is crimped or applied using a specialized tensioning tool for extra tightness and consistency.

Manually Applied

All round banding fixing band use simple mechanisms like screws or clips that can be fastened by hand without special tools.

Fixed Length

Steel fixed banding comes pre-cut to standardized lengths designed for common pallet sizes.

Variable Length

Bulk banding on rolls or spools allows cutting to custom length on site based on application requirements.

Selecting the Right Perforated Steel Banding

To choose the best perforated steel banding product for your specific use, keep these key selection criteria in mind:

Banding Width

Common widths range from 5/8″ for light duty up to 1-1/4″ for heavy loads. Wider banding spreads pressure across more surface area.

Banding Thickness/Gauge

Thickness ranges from 28 gauge for light loads to 20 gauge for heavy industrial uses. Thicker gauge provides more strength.

Perforation Size and Spacing

The size of the holes and their spacing along the band affects adjustability. Larger perforations spaced closer together allow for more incremental tightening.

Corrosion Resistance

Select galvanized or stainless steel for wet, outdoors applications. Raw steel bands can rust quickly with moisture exposure.

Buckle Versus Seal

If you need tools for consistent tensioning force, choose tool-applied seal banding. For simple hand tightening, pick a buckle band.

Package Quantity

Buy in bulk for cost savings and to have inventory on hand for high usage and frequent replacement.

Conclusion

With its durability, strength, reusability, and ease of installation, perforated steel banding is highly versatile for securing pallets and loads, bracing structures, bundling materials, and general fastening needs. This practical metal banding delivers reliable service across many industry and construction applications. By selecting the right combination of banding width, thickness, perforation pattern, and closure method, perforated steel bands can be customized to your specific securing requirements. So rely on this adaptable product for your strapping and fastening needs both indoors and out.

FAQs

How are perforated steel bands installed?

They wrap around the load or objects being secured. The perforations allow for incremental tightening by hand or tools. Then a mechanical clip, buckle or seal is applied to the band ends.

What tools are needed for steel band installation?

Tool-applied systems use a specialized tensioning plier or crimper for the band seal. Manually applied bands only require standard hand tools like pliers or screwdrivers.

How is perforated steel banding removed?

Tool-applied seals must be cut off with end cutters. Manually applied bands can be detached by removing the screw, bolt or clip. The band can then be unwrapped and reused.

Can weather exposure damage steel banding?

Proper galvanized or stainless steel bands resist corrosion in all weather. Raw steel bands will eventually rust from moisture exposure.

How long does perforated steel banding last?

With proper corrosion-resistant coating and retensioning, steel bands can provide up to 5 years of service life on a load securing or structural application.