The safest steel strapping joint worldwide

In this article, Itipack would like to provide an overview of the different types of steel strapping joints for the metal Industry.

These are the 3 most used types of joint in the field:

The seal joint
The first sealing type ever used. The lower and the upper steel strap are being crimped mechanically two or four times. The joint efficiency is approx. 70-75% of the strap breaking load.

Advantages:
+suitable for the strapping of small surfaces.

Disadvantages:
-additional material “seal” necessary;
-less joint efficiency in comparison to all other joint types;
-the steel strap is being damaged at both sides due to the crimping;
-decreased joint efficiency due to mechanical wearing of the crimping unit.


The no-seal joint or punched joint
The safety joint is formed by successive punching. The strap in the joint area is almost tension free. The punching process prevents the strapping joint from breaking (that is, re-opening). The joint efficiency is approx. 85% of the strap breaking load.

Advantages:
+higher joint efficiency in comparison to the seal-joint;
+no additional “material” necessary;
+clearly visible joint.

Disadvantages:
-the steel strap is being damaged mechanically due to the punching;
-decreased joint efficiency due to mechanical wearing of the cutting unit.


The TIG-weld joint
This type of joint is based on the TIG welding process and is today the safest sealing for steel strapping worldwide. The strapping heads operate using the “TIG” (“Tungsten-Inert-Gas”) welding technology with a non-melting Tungsten electrode and inert gas. The welded joint is created without contact by an electric arc between the electrode and the strap under inert gas.
As a result of this process, the metal melts and the two overlapping straps are joined. The joint efficiency is approx. 90% of the breaking load of the strap.

Advantages:
+suitable to strap small packages;
+the highest joint efficiency in comparison to other joint types;
+guaranteed minimum joint efficiency;
+reduction of strap cross-section = reduction of material costs;
+cost-efficient joint building process;
+clearly visible and recognizable joint;
+AAR approved;
+weld-joint is the most demanded strapping joint technology in the steel and non-ferrous industries when it comes to fully automatic applications worldwide.


Here is a clear comparison of joint efficiency:


As you may have guessed, the most efficient strapping method (as well the one suggested by Itipack) is the third one. However, the Italian company has gone even further: Itipack doesn't employ electrical resistance welding, but uses, instead, the most effective technology on the market: contactless TIG welding.

For more details about Itipack strapping machines, please visit www.itipack.com.