ASTM D3953-12

Standard Specification for Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals

ABSTRACT
This specification covers flat steel strapping and seals intended for use in closing, reinforcing, bundling articles for shipment, unitizing, palletizing, and bracing for carloading, truckloading, lifting, and lashing. This specification does not include specialty-type strapping as developed for special applications or strapping produced from alloy metals. Strapping shall be of the following types: Type 1 and Type II; shall be of the following finish: Finish A, Finish B including Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3, Finish C and Finish D; and shall have the prescribed widths and thicknesses in accordance with the specified sizes. Seals shall be of the following classes: Class R and Class H; finishes: Finish A, Finish B including Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3, Finish C, and Finish D; and styles: Style I, Style II, Style III, Style IV, and Style V. Materials shall be cold-rolled carbon steel of the prescribed quality. Strapping and seal shall conform to the physical and mechanical property requirements prescribed for: (1) breaking strength, elongation and seal joint strength, (2) lubrication (by lubricity and edge tests), (3) weld efficiency, (4) seal width, (5) seal application, (6) notch, crimp, and sealless joints, (7) galvanized strapping (by weight loss test), (8) ductility of strapping coating, (9) base metal ductility (by bending test), and (10) straightness (camber, coil set, and spiral twist). The coil configuration are specified and illustrated. Sampling and packaging requirements such as wrapping and packing are also detailed.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers flat steel strapping and seals intended for use in closing, reinforcing, bundling articles for shipment, unitizing, palletizing, and bracing for carloading, truckloading, lifting, and lashing.  
1.2 This specification includes strapping and seals made from carbon steel and applies only to the types and sizes as cataloged by strapping suppliers to be a standard, commercially available product. It does not include “specialty”-type strapping as developed for special applications or strapping produced from alloy metals.  
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard.  
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat applies only to the test method portion, Sections 11, 12, and 13, of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2012
• ICS: 55.040 - Packaging materials and accessories
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.25 - Palletizing and Unitizing of Loads

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3953-07a - Standard Specification for Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Replaced By: ASTM D3953-13 - Standard Specification for Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D4675-14a(2022) - Standard Guide for Selection and Use of Flat Strapping Materials¹
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D4727/D4727M-22 - Standard Specification for Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut Shapes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM F1312-19(2023) - Standard Specification for Brick, Insulating, High Temperature, Fire Clay
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D8505/D8505M-23 - Standard Specification for Basalt and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Bars for Concrete Reinforcement
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D7478/D7478M-11(2017) - Standard Specification for Heavy Duty Sheathed Wood Crates
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D5118/D5118M-22 - Standard Practice for Fabrication of Fiberboard Shipping Boxes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C877M-21 - Standard Specification for External Sealing Bands for Concrete Pipe, Manholes, and Precast Box Sections (Metric)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM C877-21 - Standard Specification for External Sealing Bands for Concrete Pipe, Manholes, and Precast Box Sections
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6256/D6256M-16 - Standard Specification for Wood-Cleated Shipping Boxes with Skidded, Load-Bearing Bases
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D5168-22 - Standard Practice for Fabrication and Closure of Triple-Wall Corrugated Fiberboard Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6255/D6255M-18 - Standard Specification for Steel or Aluminum Slotted Angle Crates
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM D6880/D6880M-19 - Standard Specification for Wood Boxes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Referred By: ASTM A700-14(2019) - Standard Guide for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods for Steel Products for Shipment
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D3953 −12
StandardSpecification for
1
Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3953; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope D996Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
ments
1.1 This specification covers flat steel strapping and seals
D3951Practice for Commercial Packaging
intended for use in closing, reinforcing, bundling articles for
D4332Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
shipment, unitizing, palletizing, and bracing for carloading,
Packaging Components for Testing
truckloading, lifting, and lashing.
D4675Guide for Selection and Use of Flat Strapping Ma-
1.2 This specification includes strapping and seals made
terials
from carbon steel and applies only to the types and sizes as
D6039/D6039MSpecification for Open and Covered Wood
cataloged by strapping suppliers to be a standard, commer-
Crates
cially available product. It does not include “specialty”-type
D6880Specification for Wood Boxes
strapping as developed for special applications or strapping
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
produced from alloy metals.
ASTM Test Methods
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
as standard.
3
2.2 Military Standard:
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat applies only to the
MIL-STD-105Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspec-
test method portion, Sections 11, 12, and 13, of this specifica-
tion by Attributes
tion: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety
4
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility 2.3 AAR Rules:
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
AAROpen Top Loading Rules Manual, Section No. 1,
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory General Rules for LoadingAll Commodities, Part 2, Rule
limitations prior to use. 17andSectionNo.7,RulesforLoadingAllCommodities
on Open Top Trailers and Containers for Rail Transport,
2. Referenced Documents Part 2, Rule 117
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3. Terminology
A90/A90MTest Method for Weight [Mass] of Coating on
3.1 General definitions for packaging and distribution envi-
Iron and Steel Articles with Zinc or Zinc-Alloy Coatings
ronments are found in Terminology D996.
A109/A109MSpecification for Steel, Strip, Carbon (0.25
Maximum Percent), Cold-Rolled
4. Strapping Classifications
A239Practice for Locating the Thinnest Spot in a Zinc
,
(Galvanized) Coating on Iron or Steel Articles
4.1 Strapping shall be of the following types, finish and
B504Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metal-
sizes:
lic Coatings by the Coulometric Method
Type 1, Flat Strapping: Power Machine and Hand Applica-
tion:
Regular-duty
1 Regular-duty high-strength
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.25 on Palletizing
Heavy-duty
and Unitizing of Loads.
USLM (Unit Strap Lifting Method) (See Note 1.)
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2012. PublishedNovember 2012. Originally
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D3953–07a. DOI:
10.1520/D3953-12.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or AvailablefromStandardizationDocumentsOrderDesk,Bldg.4SectionD,700
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from the Association of American Railroads (AAR), Safety and
the ASTM website. Operations, 50 F St., NW, Washington, DC 20001–1564.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3953−12
NOTE 1—For USLM applications, refer to manufacturer’s standard
6. Ordering Information
practice.
6.1 The inquiry and order shall indicate the following:
Type 2: Nail-On
6.1.1 Strapping type, duty, finish, grade, lubrication (when
4.1.1 Strapping Finish, Lubricated or Dry (see 8.3):
applicable), dimension required, and quantity of each size (see
4.1.1.1 Finish A—Organic (Pigmented or Unpigmented
Section 4).
Paint)
6.1.2 Coil of strapping dimensions, weight and feet per
4.1.1.2 Finish B—Galvanized (Hot Dipped or Electro-
pound, oscillated, ribbon wound, or cut-to-length (see Section
Depo
...

Designation: D3953 − 07a D3953 − 12
Standard Specification for
1
Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3953; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers flat steel strapping and seals intended for use in closing, reinforcing, bundling articles for shipment,
unitizing, palletizing, and bracing for carloading, truckloading, lifting, and lashing.
1.2 This specification includes strapping and seals made from carbon steel and applies only to the types and sizes as cataloged
by strapping suppliers to be a standard, commercially available product. It does not include “specialty”-type strapping as developed
for special applications or strapping produced from alloy metals.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard.
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat applies only to the test method portion, Sections 11, 12, and 13, of this
specification:This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A90/A90M Test Method for Weight [Mass] of Coating on Iron and Steel Articles with Zinc or Zinc-Alloy Coatings
A109/A109M Specification for Steel, Strip, Carbon (0.25 Maximum Percent), Cold-Rolled
,
A239 Practice for Locating the Thinnest Spot in a Zinc (Galvanized) Coating on Iron or Steel Articles
B504 Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metallic Coatings by the Coulometric Method
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
D4675 Guide for Selection and Use of Flat Strapping Materials
D6039/D6039M Specification for Open and Covered Wood Crates
D6880 Specification for Wood Boxes
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3
2.2 Military Standard:
MIL-STD-105 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes
4
2.3 AAR Rules:
AAR Open Top Loading Rules Manual, Section No. 1, General Rules for Loading All Commodities, Part 2, Rule 17 and Section
No. 7, Rules for Loading All Commodities on Open Top Trailers and Containers for Rail Transport, Part 2, Rule 117
3. Terminology
3.1 General definitions for packaging and distribution environments are found in Terminology D996.
4. Strapping Classifications
4.1 Strapping shall be of the following types, finish and sizes:
Type 1, Flat Strapping: Power Machine and Hand Application:
Regular-duty
Regular-duty high-strength
Heavy-duty
USLM (Unit Strap Lifting Method) (See Note 1.)
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3953 − 12
NOTE 1—For USLM applications, refer to manufacturer’s standard practice.
Type 2: Nail-On
4.1.1 Strapping Finish, Lubricated or Dry (see 8.3):
4.1.1.1 Finish A—Organic (Pigmented or Unpigmented Paint)
4.1.1.2 Finish B—Galvanized (Hot Dipped or Electro-Deposit Galvanized) (see 8.10):
Grade 1—Heavy Coating
Grade 2—Moderate Coating
Grade 3—Commercial Coating
4.1.1.3 Finish C—Organic Painted Metallic Filled (Aluminum or Zinc)
4.1.1.4 Finish D—Uncoated
4.1.2 Strapping Sizes— Strapping shall have the widths and thicknesses in accordance with sizes shown in Table 1, Table 2,
Table 3, and Table 4.
5. Seal Classifications
5.1 Seals shall be of the following classes, finishes, types, and styles:
5.1.1 Seal Classes:
R—Regular duty
H—Heavy duty
5.1.2 Seal Finishes:
Finish A—Organic (painted)
Finish B—Galvanized (hot dipped or electro-deposit galvanized)
Grade 1—Heavy coating
Grade 2—Moderate coating
Grade 3—Manufacturer’s standard commercial practice
Finish C—Organic Painted Metallic Filled (Aluminum or Zinc)
Finish D—Uncoated
5.1.3 Seal Styles:
I—Snap-on or open
II—Thread-on or closed
III—Push-type or overlap
IV—Magazine-feed
V—Intersectional or cross-tie
5.2 Seal Sizes—Seals shall have widths in accordance with strapping width shown in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, and Table 4.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.25 on Palletizing and Unitizing
of Loads.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2007Nov. 1, 2012. PublishedOctober 2007November 2012. Originally approved
...