ASTM D3953-15

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 Performance characteristics may be negatively affected by extremes of temperatures, such as occur during the annealing of steel.  
1.5 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: 30-Apr-2015
• ICS: 55.040 - Packaging materials and accessories
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.25 - Palletizing and Unitizing of Loads

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 −15
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.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 U.S. Department of Defense.
,
1. Scope (Galvanized) Coating on Iron or Steel Articles
B504Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Metal-
1.1 This specification covers flat steel strapping and seals
lic Coatings by the Coulometric Method
intended for use in closing, reinforcing, bundling articles for
D996Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
shipment, unitizing, palletizing, and bracing for carloading,
ments
truckloading, lifting, and lashing.
D3951Practice for Commercial Packaging
1.2 This specification includes strapping and seals made
D4332Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
from carbon steel and applies only to the types and sizes as
Packaging Components for Testing
cataloged by strapping suppliers to be a standard, commer-
D4675Guide for Selection and Use of Flat Strapping Ma-
1
cially available product. It does not include “specialty”-type
terials
strapping as developed for special applications or strapping
D6039/D6039MSpecification for Open and Covered Wood
produced from alloy metals.
Crates
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded D6880Specification for Wood Boxes
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
as standard.
ASTM Test Methods
1.4 Performance characteristics may be negatively affected
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
by extremes of temperatures, such as occur during the anneal-
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
ing of steel.
3
2.2 Military Standard:
1.5 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
2.3 AAR Rules:
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
AAROpen Top Loading Rules Manual, Section No. 1,
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
General Rules for LoadingAll Commodities, Part 2, Rule
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
17andSectionNo.7,RulesforLoadingAllCommodities
limitations prior to use.
on Open Top Trailers and Containers for Rail Transport,
Part 2, Rule 117
2. Referenced Documents
2
3. Terminology
2.1 ASTM Standards:
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
4. Strapping Classifications
Maximum Percent), Cold-Rolled
A239Practice for Locating the Thinnest Spot in a Zinc
4.1 Strapping shall be of the following types, finish and
sizes:
Type 1, Flat Strapping: Power Machine and Hand Applica-
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
tion:
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.25 on Palletizing
Regular-duty
and Unitizing of Loads.
Regular-duty high-strength
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2015.PublishedJune2015.Originallyapproved
in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D3953–13. DOI: 10.1520/
D3953-15.
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 ----------------------
D3953−15
Heavy-duty 5.2 Seal Sizes—Seals shall have widths in accordance with
USLM (Unit Strap Lifting Method) (See Note 1.) strapping width shown in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, and Table
4.
NOTE 1—For USLM applications, refer to manufacturer’s standard
practice.
6. Ordering Information
Type 2: Nail-On
4.1.1 Strapping Finish, Lubricated or Dry (see 8.3):
6.1 The inquiry and order shall indicate the following:
4.1.1.1 Finish A—Organic (Pigmented or Unpigmented
6.1.1 Strapping type, duty, finish, grade, lubrication (when
Paint)
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D3953 − 13 D3953 − 15
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 U.S. 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 Performance characteristics may be negatively affected by extremes of temperatures, such as occur during the annealing of
steel.
1.5 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
1
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
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 April 1, 2013May 1, 2015. PublishedJune 2013June 2015. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 20122013 as
D3953 – 12.D3953 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/D3953-13.10.1520/D3953-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
4
Available from the Association of American Railroads (AAR), Safety and 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 − 15
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.)
NOTE 1—For USLM applications, refer to manufacturer’s standard practice.
Type 2: Nail-
...