ASTM D4675-14a(2022)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Selection and Use of Flat Strapping Materials1
Standard Guide for Selection and Use of Flat Strapping Materials<sup>1</sup>
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide is intended to assist the user in selecting strapping material(s) and application method(s) for evaluation when subjected to handling, transit, and storage tests. It describes general load, unit and package types, strapping properties, strapping performance, weight considerations, shear planes, component frictional characteristics, and geometry.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide1 covers information on flat strapping materials (steel and nonmetallic) for the prospective user wanting initial guidance in selecting a strapping material and information on suggested application methods for use in packaging (closing, reinforcing, baling, bundling, unitizing, or palletizing), and loading applications (load unitization and securement to transport vehicle). The use applies to handling, securement, storage, and distribution systems.
1.2 Carrier associations have established certain packaging and loading requirements that (in some cases) specify the type of strap, the minimum size or strength, the type of joint or seal, and the number of straps, seals, and joints that must be used for particular types of shipments or under certain conditions. Users should consult with their carriers initially to determine if there are applicable published requirements. Individual carriers may establish their own requirements. (See 2.2.)
1.3 Limitations—This guide is not intended to give specific information as to how strapping must be used in any particular packaging or loading situation. Rather, it is intended to be informational in nature and is offered as a starting point for the testing of strapping being considered by the user. Thorough user testing is essential, as is a review of pertinent regulations that can influence strap selection (size and type), and application methods.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4675 − 14a (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Guide for
Selection and Use of Flat Strapping Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4675; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This guide covers two common categories of flat strapping materials: steel and nonmetallic.Within
each of these two broad categories there are distinct types that lend themselves in differing degrees to
particular applications.
The goal of this guide is to help the user focus on the desired elements of performance or service,
and the unique properties of each strapping material in order to judge which of these strapping
products is best suited for the intended strapping application. For further information, consult with
your strapping supplier, your carrier, and any packaging/loading regulations applicable to your
products. It is of particular importance, for both safety and satisfactory performance, that the user
informs the strapping supplier of all intended uses and usage conditions that may differ from industry
custom and practice or from intended strapping applications. Likewise, the user needs to inform the
strapping supplier of any practice of the user’s carrier that the user believes may differ from any
requirement or recommendation of the carrier’s association or of any applicableASTM or regulatory
provisions. The user also should inform the strapping supplier of the following expected conditions:
load, unit, or package characteristics (rigid, expanding, shrinking, or combination); severity of
handling; nature of transport equipment; storage conditions (stacking height and weight); exposure to
environmental conditions; extreme temperatures (particularly if prolonged outdoor exposure is
anticipated); exposure to chemicals; exposure to abrasive surfaces; and exposure to sharp or pointed
objectsthatcancausenicks,scratches,orholesinthestrapping.Thereareothermaterialsnotcovered
by this guide, which may also offer acceptable solutions or may be used in conjunction with flat
strappingtoprovideacceptablesolutionsfortheuser’sintendedapplication.Examplesofaccessories,
such as, edge protectors, seal protectors, etc. are shown in Fig. 1.
Strapping may be recyclable but must never be reused. Contact your supplier for further
information.
Table of Contents
Section
Introduction
List of Figures
List of Tables
1. Scope
2. Referenced Documents
3. Terminology
4. Significance and Use
5. Safety Hazard Guidelines
6. General Considerations
7. General Uses
8. Strap Tension
9. Packaging Design
10. Load, Unit, and Package Securement Configuration
11. Strap Selection
12. Joining Methods and Properties
13. Coatings, Finishes, and Resistance to Deterioration of Physical Properties
14. Environmental Considerations
15. Lubrication
16. Equipment for Strapping Application
17. Strap Application
18. Testing and Evaluation
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4675 − 14a (2022)
Table of Contents
Section
19. Evaluation of Strap Failure
20. Keywords
Supplementary Requirements
Disclaimer and Contact Information
List of Figures
Title Figure No.
Various Strapping Applications 1
Strap Cutting Techniques 2
Correct and Incorrect Applied Strapping 3
Notch Joint with Seals 4
Crimp Joint with Seals 5
Sealless Interlocking Joints 6
Loop Joint Secured to Stake Pocket 7
Loop Joint Placement 8
Buckle Styles 9
Crimp Joint Seals 10
Overlap Sealless Joints 11
Feedwheel Hand Tool Tensioning Application 12
Snap-On (Open) and Semi-Open Seals 13
Windlass Type Hand Tool Application 14
Thread-On (Closed) and Push Type (Overlap) Seals 15
Push Type Hand Tool Application 16
Nested Stack (Magazine Feed) Seal 17
Combination Tension and Seal-Feed Hand Tool Application 18
Intersection or Cross Tie Seal 19
Various Strapping Take-Up and Tensioning Methods 20
Corrugated Fiberboard Box Strap Placement S1.1
Cleated-Panel Box Strap Placement S1.2
Nailed Wood Boxes Strap Placement S1.3
Wire Bound Box Strap Placement S1.4
List of Tables
Title Table No.
Strapping Applications Commonly Used for Packaging, Unitization, and Load Securement 1
Examples of Different Package Types 2
Appropriate Strapping Use as a Function of Environmental Conditions 3
Potential Causes for Strap Failure 4
Suggested Minimum Sizes of Steel and Nonmetallic Strapping for Corrugated Fiberboard Boxes S1.1
Suggested Minimum Sizes of Flat Steel Strapping for Cleated-Panel Boxes S1.2
Suggested Minimum Sizes of Flat Steel Strapping for Nailed Wood Boxes S1.3
Weight of Contents Versus Length of Top Cleat S1.4
1. Scope 1.3 Limitations—This guide is not intended to give specific
information as to how strapping must be used in any particular
1.1 This guide covers information on flat strapping mate-
packaging or loading situation. Rather, it is intended to be
rials (steel and nonmetallic) for the prospective user wanting
informationalinnatureandisofferedasastartingpointforthe
initial guidance in selecting a strapping material and informa-
testing of strapping being considered by the user. Thorough
tion on suggested application methods for use in packaging
user testing is essential, as is a review of pertinent regulations
(closing, reinforcing, baling, bundling, unitizing, or
that can influence strap selection (size and type), and applica-
palletizing), and loading applications (load unitization and
tion methods.
securement to transport vehicle). The use applies to handling,
securement, storage, and distribution systems. 1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
1.2 Carrier associations have established certain packaging
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and loading requirements that (in some cases) specify the type
and are not considered standard.
ofstrap,theminimumsizeorstrength,thetypeofjointorseal,
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
andthenumberofstraps,seals,andjointsthatmustbeusedfor
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
particulartypesofshipmentsorundercertainconditions.Users
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
should consult with their carriers initially to determine if there
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
are applicable published requirements. Individual carriers may
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
establish their own requirements. (See 2.2.)
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD10onPackagingand
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.25 on Palletizing and Unitizing of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Loads.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D4675–14a. DOI:
10.1520/D4675-14AR22. Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
D4675 − 14a (2022)
FIG. 1 Various Strapping Applications
2. Referenced Documents 2.2 Other Standards (most current revisions):
2 Uniform Freight Classification Code,Rule 41, Section 9
2.1 ASTM Standards:
National Motor Freight Classification100-L, Item 222, Sec-
D996Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
tion 7
ments
ISTA, International Safe TransitAssociation, Pre-Shipment
D3950Specification for Strapping, Nonmetallic (and Join-
Test Procedure
ing Methods)
Association of American Railroads (AAR/TTCI)—Closed
D3953Specification for Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals
D4169Practice for Performance Testing of Shipping Con-
tainers and Systems
Available from National Railroad Freight Classification, available from Uni-
form Classification Committee, 222 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from National Motor Freight TrafficAssociation (NMFTA), 1001 N.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314, http://www.nmfta.org.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), 1400 Abbot
the ASTM website. Road, Suite 160, East Lansing, MI 48823–1900, http://www.ista.org.
D4675 − 14a (2022)
Car Loading Methods and Open Top Loading Rules 3.2.9 initial applied tension (IAT), n—highest amount of
IMO/ILO/UN ECEGuidelines for Packing or Cargo Trans- stressinducedintothestrapwhilethetensioningmechanismis
port Units (CTUs) still engaged.
Driver’s Handbook on Cargo Securement
3.2.10 initial retained tension (IRT), n—the stress that
remains in the strap immediately after completion of the joint
3. Terminology
and removal of the tensioning equipment.
3.2.11 joint effıciencies, n—joint strength divided by the
3.1 Definitions—For general definitions of packaging and
minimum breaking strength of the strap, expressed as a
distribution environments see Terminology D996.
percentage (For minimum acceptable percentage values, see
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: The
Section 12, and Specifications D3950 and D3953.)
following refers to the characteristics and properties of strap-
3.2.12 joint strength, n—the highest longitudinal tension
ping materials. These can be objectively measured to some
(strain) that must be applied to cause a strap joint to fail. A
extent and are used to rank the relative effectiveness of
failure at the gripper marks (outside of the joint) made by the
different strapping materials in different applications. The
hand tool, strapping head, or tensile tester specimen holding
definitions given here are for the purposes of this guide only
grippers is not to be considered the strength of the joint.
and do not necessarily reflect general usage orASTM standard
definitions. Some properties are common to both steel and 3.2.13 lubrication, n—an intentionally applied substance on
nonmetallic strapping. Other properties pertain to just steel
the strap surface that lowers the coefficient of friction.
strapping or to nonmetallic strapping only.
3.2.14 mechanism, n—device used in application of
3.2.1 break strength, n—thelongitudinaltensileforcethatis
strapping, such as tensioner and sealer, combination tool, or
applied to cause a strap to rupture. (See Specifications D3950
power strapping equipment.
and D3953.)
3.2.15 moisture sensitivity, n—thedegreetowhichmechani-
3.2.2 chemical contamination, n—exposure to chemicals
cal properties degrade due to the presence of moisture or
which may degrade the strap’s physical properties. (See Sec-
moisture vapor. (See Section 13.)
tion 13).
3.2.16 notch sensitivity, n—the measure of a strapping
3.2.3 corner break strength, n—the reduced break strength material’s ability to resist tearing or breaking due to a nick or
due to the strapping being bent around a corner or edge. (See cut.
Specification D3953.)
3.2.17 settling tolerance, n—the ability of a strap to remain
tautwhenusedtoconfineadimensionallyshrinkingload,unit,
3.2.4 dead stretch (creep), n—strain (elongation) resulting
or package.
from constant tensional stresses over time.
3.2.18 shear plane, n—thecontactsurfaceareabetweentwo
3.2.5 ductility in bending (resistance to “work hardening”),
itemsatwhichtheymoverelativetooneanotherwhenparallel
n—refers to the ability of steel strapping to deform without
and opposing forces are applied to these areas. The parallel
rupture under the tensile stress resulting from bending, or its
application of forces causes the items to slide against one
resistancetoworkhardening.Itistheoppositeof“brittleness.”
another.
Ductility is related to corner break strength and closely
3.2.19 system strength, n—the strength of an applied strap
associated to strength and elongation. (See Specification
D3953.) (closed loop) including both the strap and joining method.
3.2.20 temperature sensitivity, n—the degree to which the
3.2.6 elongation at break, n—the increase in strapping
mechanical properties degrade due to extreme low or high
length (strain) when the tensional loading (stress) gets high
temperatures.
enough to cause strap failure. (See Specifications D3950 and
D3953.)
3.2.21 tension transmission, n—the ability of strapping to
slide around a corner/edge during tensioning.
3.2.7 energy-to-break, n—the energy/force (total area under
3.2.22 ultraviolet (U.V.) light resistance, n—the degree to
the stress-strain curve), resulting from strength and elongation
properties required to break a strap. which the mechanical properties degrade due to ultraviolet ray
exposure. U.V. inhibitors are available for all types of nonme-
3.2.8 environmental resistant properties, n—the ability of
tallic strapping.
steel or nonmetallic strapping to withstand degradation from
3.2.23 unit strap lifting method (USLM), n—a specialized
(but not limited to) exposure to sunlight, low and high
application for overhead lifting and transport of large and
humidity, and caustic chemicals.
heavyloads,units,orpackagesprimarilyatportfacilities.(See
Table 1.)
6 3.2.24 yield point, n—the stress at which a material begins
Available fromAssociation ofAmerican Railroads, Transportation Technology
to deform physically. Prior to reaching the yield point, the
Center,Inc.(AAR/TTCI),55500DotRoadPueblo,CO81001,http://www.aar.com.
Available from International Maritime Organization, Publishing Service, 4
material will deform elastically and will return to its original
Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7SR, United Kingdom, http://www.imo.org.
shapewhentheappliedstressisremoved.Oncetheyieldpoint
Available from Driver’s Handbook on Cargo Securement, 1200 New Jersey
is passed, some fraction of the deformation will be permanent
Avenue, SE, Suite W60-300, Washington, DC 20590, http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
documents/cargo/cargosecurement-16-04.pdf. and non-reversible.
D4675 − 14a (2022)
TABLE 1 Strapping A
...
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