ASTM D3950-23

Standard Specification for Strapping, Nonmetallic (and Joining Methods)

ABSTRACT
This specification covers nonmetallic strapping and joining methods for closing, reinforcing, and bundling materials for shipment, unitizing, palletizing, and bracing for car and truck loading. The strappings are classified into five types according to the type of materials used. If necessary, seals and buckles made from steel with zinc, black iron oxide, or any equivalent corrosion protective coatings or plastic buckles may be used. Each sample should be collected and tested using the given procedures and should conform to the required values of breaking strength and elongation, transverse strength, and joint strength, when applicable, for each strapping type.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers nonmetallic strapping and joining methods intended for use in closing, reinforcing, and bundling articles for shipment, unitizing, palletizing, and bracing for car loading and truck loading.  
1.2 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.  
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 12, 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2023
• ICS: 55.040 - Packaging materials and accessories
• Technical Committee: D10 - Packaging
• Drafting Committee: D10.25 - Palletizing and Unitizing of Loads

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3950-17 - Standard Specification for Strapping, Nonmetallic (and Joining Methods)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2023
• Refers: ASTM D3951-18(2023) - Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2023
• Refers: ASTM D3951-18 - Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging
• Effective Date: 01-May-2018
• Referred By: ASTM D8505/D8505M-23 - Standard Specification for Basalt and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Bars for Concrete Reinforcement
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D1974/D1974M-22 - Standard Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing, and Reinforcing Fiberboard Boxes
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2023
• Referred By: ASTM A700-14(2019) - Standard Guide for Packaging, Marking, and Loading Methods for Steel Products for Shipment
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D4727/D4727M-22 - Standard Specification for Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut Shapes
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D5168-22 - Standard Practice for Fabrication and Closure of Triple-Wall Corrugated Fiberboard Containers
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D4675-14a(2022) - Standard Guide for Selection and Use of Flat Strapping Materials¹
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2023
• Referred By: ASTM B660-21 - Standard Practices for Packaging/Packing of Aluminum and Magnesium Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2023
• Referred By: ASTM D5118/D5118M-22 - Standard Practice for Fabrication of Fiberboard Shipping Boxes
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2023

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: D3950 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Strapping, Nonmetallic (and Joining Methods)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3950; 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 2.2 Other Standards:
ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 Sampling Procedures and Tables for
1.1 This specification covers nonmetallic strapping and
3
Inspection by Attributes
joining methods intended for use in closing, reinforcing, and
ANSI/ASQC Z1.9 Sampling Procedures and Tables for In-
bundling articles for shipment, unitizing, palletizing, and
3
spection by Variables for Percent Nonconforming
bracing for car loading and truck loading.
3. Terminology
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.1 breaking strength, n—the maximum load a sample of
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
strap will bear when tested as described in Section 12, Test
and are not considered standard.
Methods, and by the procedure described in 12.6.1, Breaking
Strength, expressed in units of force.
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
test method portion, Section 12, of this specification: This 3.2 For general definitions of packaging and distribution
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, environments, see Terminology D996.
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
4. Classification
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
4.1 Types and Grades:
regulatory limitations prior to use.
Type I — Strapping, bonded rayon cord.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- Grade 1—Light duty.
Grade 2—Regular duty.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Grade 3—Heavy duty.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Type IA — Strapping, Bonded, Composite or Woven polyester cord.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- Grade 1—Light duty.
Grade 2—Regular duty.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Grade 3—Heavy duty.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Grade 4—Extra heavy duty.
Grade 5—Special duty.
Grade 6—Special duty.
2. Referenced Documents
Grade 7—Special duty.
2 Type II — Strapping, polypropylene plastic.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Type III — Strapping, nylon plastic.
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-
Type IV — Strapping, polyester plastic.
ments
D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging 5. Ordering Information
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or
5.1 The inquiry and order shall indicate the following:
Packaging Components for Testing
5.1.1 Type, grade, and dimensions required (see 4.1 and
7.1),
5.1.2 Length per coil (see 8.1),
1
5.1.3 Joining method (see 6.2 and Note 1), type and size
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on
Packaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.25 on Palletizing
required (if needed),
and Unitizing of Loads.
5.1.4 If an embossed finish on strapping is desired or
Current edition approved July 1, 2023. Published October 2023. Originally
allowed (see Footnote in Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3),
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D3950 – 17. DOI:
10.1520/D3950-23.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3950 − 23
TABLE 1 Breaking Strength of Type II Strapping (PP)
Nominal Width Nominal Thickness
0.0250 in. (0.635 mm) thick or less, ±0.0025 in. (±0.06 mm) Minimum
±0.030 in. (±0.76 mm)
Breaking Strength
>0.0250 in. thick, ±0.0030 in. (±0.08 mm)
A B
in. (mm) in. (mm) lbf (N)
0.0120 (0.30) 80 (355)
3
⁄16 (5)
0.0145 (0.37) 100 (445)
0.0130 (0.033) 135 (600)
0.0135 (0.34) 130 (580)
0.0140 (0.36) 155 (690)
1
⁄4 (6)
0.0150 and 0.0160 (0.38 an
...

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: D3950 − 17 D3950 − 23
Standard Specification for
1
Strapping, Nonmetallic (and Joining Methods)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3950; 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 nonmetallic strapping and joining methods intended for use in closing, reinforcing, and bundling
articles for shipment, unitizing, palletizing, and bracing for car loading and truck loading.
1.2 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.
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 12, 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.4 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environments
D3951 Practice for Commercial Packaging
D4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, or Packaging Components for Testing
2.2 Other Standards:
3
ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes
3
ANSI/ASQC Z1.9 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Variables for Percent Nonconforming
3. Terminology
3.1 breaking strength, n—the maximum load a sample of strap will bear when tested as described in Section 12, Test Methods,
and by the procedure described in 12.6.1, Breaking Strength, expressed in units of force.
3.2 For general definitions of packaging and distribution environments, see Terminology D996.
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 Sept. 1, 2017July 1, 2023. Published October 2017October 2023. Originally approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 20162017 as
D3950 – 16.D3950 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/D3950-17.10.1520/D3950-23.
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 American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3950 − 23
4. Classification
4.1 Types and Grades:
Type I — Strapping, bonded rayon cord.
Grade 1—Light duty.
Grade 2—Regular duty.
Grade 3—Heavy duty.
Type IA — Strapping, Bonded, Composite or Woven polyester cord.
Grade 1—Light duty.
Grade 2—Regular duty.
Grade 3—Heavy duty.
Grade 4—Extra heavy duty.
Grade 5—Special duty.
Grade 6—Special duty.
Grade 7—Special duty.
Type II — Strapping, polypropylene plastic.
Type III — Strapping, nylon plastic.
Type IV — Strapping, polyester plastic.
5. Ordering Information
5.1 The inquiry and order shall indicate the following:
5.1.1 Type, grade, and dimensions required (see 4.1 and 7.1),
5.1.2 Length per coil (see 8.1),
5.1.3 Joining method (see 6.2 and Note 1), type and size required (if needed),
5.1.4 If an embossed finish on strapping is desired or allowed (see Footnote in Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3),
5.1.5 Make and model of strapping equipment that the strapping and joining method must work in, if applicable (see Note 1),
5.1.6 Coil dimensions (see 8.1),
5.1.7 Level of packaging and packing if other than commercial (see Section 15), and
5.1.8 AS
...