Choose cotton bale strapping by bale weight: for bales around 440 lb (200 kg), 5/8 in (16 mm) embossed polyester strapping gives enough strength; for bales of about 880–1,100 lb (400–500 kg), move to 3/4 in (19 mm). Polyester (PET) strapping does not rust and holds its tension, which gives it an edge over steel and polypropylene strapping on long transits.
Strap width by bale weight
For bales around 440 lb (200 kg), a 5/8 in (16 mm) width is enough, as long as the break strength is 1,102 lbf (500 kg) or more. Polipak's typical picks for these bales are embossed polyester strapping at 5/8 in × 0.035 in (16 × 0.90 mm), 1,146 lbf (520 kg), or 5/8 in × 0.039 in (16 × 1.00 mm), 1,290 lbf (585 kg).
Heavier bales of about 880–1,100 lb (400–500 kg) call for a 3/4 in (19 mm) width. The break strength of 3/4 in polyester strapping runs from 1,235 lbf to 2,150 lbf (560–975 kg), depending on thickness and surface; Polipak's standard pick for these bales is 3/4 in × 0.050 in (19 × 1.27 mm), rated 1,929 lbf (875 kg) embossed and 2,150 lbf (975 kg) smooth.
How do transit and climate affect the strap?
On long sea voyages, humidity, temperature swings and mechanical stress cause rust in steel strapping and fatigue in polypropylene strapping. Polyester strapping keeps its tension and strength under these conditions.
Strapping tool compatibility
Because their surface is embossed, embossed polyester strapping and Superbant slip less in battery-powered strapping tools and in buckle-type strapping. Check the strap size against your baling press manufacturer's recommendation as well.
Sorting bales by strap color
You can sort bales by grade, lot or destination with color; define the color code in your own operation. Polipak makes Superbant in white, black, red, yellow and green as standard, and can make it in another color on request.
Find the size and break strength for your bales on our polyester strapping page.