About Strapping and Lashing

The difference between Strapping and Lashing:

Strapping: strap up to 19 mm, for securing pallets and pallet loads
Lashing: cargo securing strap with a width of 25 mm and up, for loading security

These two groups can be divided into 6 types:


PP - Strapping Extruded Polypropylene	PET - Strapping Extruded Polyester	Hotmelt - Strapping Glued Polyester

Composite - Strapping/Lashing Co-extruded Polyester	Polyester Lashing Woven Polyester	Polypropylene Lashing Woven Polypropylene

Application Areas

Strapping/Lashing type	Applications	Closures
PP (extruded polypropylene)	light-duty strapping machines strapping packages and boxes	melting (strapping machines) plastic buckles steel buckles strapping seals
PET (extruded polyester)	light-duty light pallet loads strapping packages and boxes	strapping seals
Hotmelt (glued polyester)	inexpensive alternative pallet loads where security is less important	strapping seals steel buckles
Composite (co-geëxtrudeerde polyester)	heavier pallet loads lashing container loads	steel buckles
Woven Polyester	lashing of goods on trucks, ships, containers, on ship decks, in and on trains, in aircraft, etc.	stalen buckles lashing frames
Woven Polypropylene	lashing of goods on trucks, ships, containers, on ship decks, in and on trains, in aircraft, etc. safety belts in cars, airplanes, etc.	stalen buckles lashing frames

Safety Standards	Applicable in Europa	Applicable in USA/Canada
Strapping = secure on pallets:	none	none
Lashing = cargo securing:	there are no standards for lashing however if the lashing is used for a ratchet tie down, the combination to meet the band/ratchet and 12195 the Breakingstrength of theis band must be at least 3 x the Load Capacity (LC) Certification not required, no control, no penalties	ASTM 3950-D series Breaking Strength (BS) of the band in a linear tensile strength test = minimum 3 x the Load Capacity (LC) Breaking Strength combined with a Buckle = minimum 55% of the BS without buckle Approval required where the approval number on the band must be printed for the traceability

The quality of band is among others determined by the tensile strength of the strapping/lashing:

According to the EN 12195 and ASTM 3950-D the Tensile Strength has to be determined with a series linear tensile testing of the strapping/lashing.

This continued with a series of tensile tests of the band combined with a buckle or frame.

The result must be at least 55% of the linear tensile tests with only the strapping/lashing.

In order to be able to come with a higher value customers is often the System Strength specified. This System Strength is only used as a selling point and is in fact the double value of the Linear Tensile Strength because the band is double.

The System Strength is not applicable in testing protocols.

Also at the System Strength is often specified a value for the band and then the band with a buckle or frame in system.