You have just received a coil of polyester (PET) strapping and are about to use it. PET is the modern substitute for steel strapping: it withstands similar tensions to steel, does not rust, does not cut like metal, and maintains its hold during prolonged transits thanks to its elastic memory. This guide covers loading the coil into the dispenser, starting the strapping tangle-free, compatible tools, and proper storage for heavy construction, export, or agribusiness loads.
Product specifications
Fortemo PET strapping is offered in a standard format of 16 mm × 1 mm × 1,200 m on a 16-inch industrial core, sized for professional heavy-duty strapping. The relevant technical data are:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 887489 |
| Material | Virgin Polyester (PET) |
| Strap width | 16 mm (5/8 in) |
| Thickness | 1 mm (0.04 in) |
| Length per coil | 1,200 m (3,937 ft) |
| Core | 406 mm × 152 mm (16 in × 6 in) |
| Color | Green |
| Compatible closure | Serrated metal seal for PET (with specific crimper) |
| Tensioner compatibility | Manual tensioner or battery-powered strapping tool for PET |
| Brand | FORTEMO |
Step-by-step usage guide
The following procedure covers the cycle from opening the coil to the first test strap. PET is heavier and tensions more than PP: wear gloves, keep the coil on a stable dispenser, and never release the first loop without securing it, as the elastic energy of polyester can cause whiplash.
Inspect the coil and prepare the dispenser
Carefully remove the coil from the box: the assembly weighs more than a PP coil of the same format, and handling it with one hand can damage the edges of the strapping. Check for loose layers or bends and ensure the roll is uniformly tight. The PET core is industrial 16-inch, so you need a dispenser or coil holder compatible with that diameter (it does not fit small PP dispensers).
Load the coil into the dispenser or coil holder
Fit the core onto the dispenser axle, ensuring the coil spins freely. The end of the strapping should come off the outside of the roll. If the coil holder has an adjustable brake (common in PET dispensers), adjust it so that the roll does not spin by inertia: PET has more mass, and without a brake, it can continue to spin after cutting the strap and release several meters.
Release the end of the strapping, securing the first loop
The end of the strapping is secured with a staple or adhesive. When removing the stop, firmly hold the first loop against the coil with your other hand: PET accumulates elastic tension during winding, and if released without being secured, it recoils with considerable force and can cause whiplash or deep tangles. Wear work gloves during this step.
If you plan to open several coils during the day, leave the new coil with the stop engaged until the last moment. A PET coil with a free end and not loaded in a dispenser is prone to partial unwinding with any vibration or bump; several loose meters in storage are meters that end up bent, dirty, and discarded. Maintain the discipline of "stop until loaded."
Thread the end through the guide of the tensioner or strapping tool
Lead the end of the strapping to the tensioning system: manual tensioner for PET or battery-powered strapping tool. Thread the strapping through the slot following the marked direction, ensuring it enters flat and without twists. PET is more rigid than PP, which helps it enter straight, but also means that a twisted strap generates more friction and wears out the tensioner's geared wheel faster.
Test tension before operating in series
Before you start strapping actual pallets, perform two or three test tensions on any package. PET can withstand higher tensions than PP: the difference is noticeable in how much you have to operate the lever or button of the strapping tool before feeling resistance. Calibrate the optimal point (firm against the package, without deforming the cardboard) and you will have the reference for the entire operation.
Does your dispenser accept the industrial core?
The PET strapping core (16 inches) is larger than the PP core (8 inches) and does not fit lightweight coil holders. If you are unsure whether your cart or dispenser is compatible, ask the virtual assistant before ordering.
Complementary products
PET strapping is the consumable: the complete operation requires tools calibrated for polyester tension. These are the system products:
The PET tensioner and crimper are specifically calibrated for the hardness of polyester and for notched seals (they are not interchangeable with PP ones). PET seals have serrated internal teeth that bite into the rigid surface of the strapping and prevent slippage under real tension. If your strapping volume exceeds 100-150 closures per day, the battery-powered strapping tool integrates tensioning, friction welding, and cutting in a single operation, and eliminates the consumption of metal seals.
Maintenance and care
PET is more resistant than PP to moisture and UV radiation, but it retains its properties better under controlled conditions. These are the guidelines for keeping the coil in operation:
- Store the coil on the core, horizontally or vertically, on a flat and firm surface. Due to its weight, do not stack PET coils on top of each other without rigid separators: the bottom roll will become oval and cause irregular unwinding.
- PET tolerates indirect sun better than PP, but prolonged direct UV exposure still degrades the polymer over time. If the coil is stored outdoors for months, consider covering it with opaque plastic.
- Keep the warehouse ventilated and free of stagnant moisture. PET is not damaged by occasional moisture, but saturated conditions for months can affect the packaging and the coil's starting adhesive.
- If the coil arrives with a severe side impact (fall during transport), check the core before loading: a deformed core will not fit properly in the dispenser and will cause eccentric rotation that uncalibrates the tension.
- An unopened PET coil retains its properties for several years indoors; PET does not age like polypropylene. This makes it ideal for maintaining safety stock without the risk of rapid degradation.
Do not use this PET strapping with tensioners, crimpers, seals, or buckles dimensioned only for PP strapping. The actual tension that polyester can withstand is much higher than that of polypropylene; tools calibrated for PP will deform or operate out of range if forced with PET, leading to faulty closures and tool damage. Use exclusively PET line accessories (specific tensioner, crimper, and seal) or the battery-powered strapping tool that supports both materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is PET strapping considerably more expensive than PP?
Polyester requires more expensive raw material, a narrower gauge, and more demanding manufacturing processes than polypropylene. The difference is offset in heavy loads: a PET coil secures loads that PP cannot hold, avoids oxidation that metallic strapping would cause, and reduces claims for loosened merchandise in transit. For light operations (cardboard boxes, parcel shipping), PP is the correct choice; PET makes sense when the load justifies it.
Can I substitute metallic strapping for PET in any application?
In most cases, yes, especially in construction, export, and heavy agro-industry. PET withstands similar tensions to metal with two operational advantages: it does not rust or stain the merchandise, and it absorbs transport vibrations without losing tension. The exception is very high-temperature applications (near ovens or hot processes), where PET can soften and metal is still necessary.
Can the PET coil be used with automatic factory strapping machines?
Yes, provided the strapping machine accommodates the 16-inch industrial core and is calibrated for 16 mm × 1 mm plastic strapping. Check your machine's specifications for the allowed thickness and width range; older equipment dimensioned only for PP may not handle PET's hardness well. The Fortemo battery-powered strapping tool is calibrated for both materials.