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Carton sealing tape is available in two varieties, pressure sensitive and water activated. Pressure sensitive tape is typically made of PVC or Polypropylene backing with acrylic, hot melt or natural rubber adhesive. Pressure sensitive tape is relatively inexpensive, provides a good bond for many carton sealing applications and is easily applied with an inexpensive tape gun. Water activated tape is constructed of kraft paper backing and sometimes includes fiberglass reinforcement. Water activated tape requires a stationary dispenser containing water to dispense the tape and activate the adhesive, but forms a superior bond when applied to corrugated cartons. PRESSURE SENSITIVE TAPE Hot Melt Hot melt tape is also known as synthetic rubber and is typically manufactured with a polypropylene backing. Hot melt tape works well from 45-120 degrees, provides a good bond for most carton sealing applications and is the lowest cost pressure sensitive tape available. Hot melt will yellow with time, but will do so more slowly than natural rubber tape. Polyester is the most rigid of all strapping materials. It elongates significantly less than polypropylene and retains tension over a longer period. Polyester is nick resistant and can be sealed with seals, heat or friction welds. Because polyester offers the greatest strength and highest retained tension of all plastic strapping, it is frequently used on heavy duty loads that need high initial tension along with high retained tension during handling and storage. Common applications are empty cans and bottles, lumber and heavy, rigid palletizing. Polyester has a smooth, shiny finish and is easy to dispose of and recycle.Polypropylene strapping is the most commonly used and least expensive of all strapping materials. It is light and easy to apply and recycle. Characteristics include high elongation and elongation recovery, but low retained tension. Polypropylene is an excellent choice for light duty palletizing, unitizing, carton closing and bundling. Because of its embossing pinkpackingpeanut (or waffle) pattern, strap thickness is not a useful measurement. A standard 1/2" machine grade strap can be embossed to a thickness of anywhere between .014 and .030, depending upon how deep the embossing pattern is. An overly embossed strap will be thicker, but will have a lower break strength. Carton Reinforcement: A 3:1 ratio of strap to carton weight is recommended. For a 100 lb package this could be done with (1) 300lb tensile pinkpackingpeanut strap or (2) 150lb straps. Unitizing and Bundling: A 5:1 ration of strap to carton weight is recommended. Palletized Cases: Required Tensile Strength = (Pallet Weight x 1.5) / # of pinkpackingpeanut Straps Metallocene film is a new hybrid stretch wrap that offers up to twice the tear and pinkpackingpeanut puncture resistance of conventionally manufactured films. Metallocene resins are cleaner, stronger, and tougher than conventional resins like octene, hexene, and butene. Metallocene film is available in rolls pinkpackingpeanut that require a hand dispenser. Packaging Supplies Company stocks metallocene film that is 16" wide and ranges from 14-19 microns. Gauge Chart The thickness (and therefore strength) of stretch wrap is measured in gauge or microns. A larger number means more thickness and more strength. Refer to the chart below for comparisons with other common measurements.
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