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Use polyester strapping (PET) when you need serious load securement—but your load still needs a strap that can handle settling, vibration, and shock without going slack or snapping.

In plain English: PET is the strap you use for most real-world pallets, because most real-world pallets don’t stay perfectly rigid. They compress. They shift. They get abused. PET keeps pulling back and holding tension when that happens.

Here are the specific scenarios where PET is the best move, plus the times you should NOT use it.

Use polyester (PET) strapping when…

1) You’re strapping pallet loads of cartons

Most palletized cartons settle slightly in transit. PET holds tension better than PP and is safer than steel.

Use PET for:

stacked case goods
distribution pallets
warehouse outbound shipments

2) Your load settles or compresses

PET shines on loads that change shape under compression.

Examples:

cartons compressing as weight shifts
bagged products (pellets, powders, resins, feed-style goods)
lumber or stacked goods with small gaps

Settling loads loosen straps. PET is built to fight that.

3) You ship LTL or longer routes

More touches = more abuse.

PET absorbs shock better than rigid strapping options, which helps reduce snap failures and loosening.

If shipments get handled a lot, PET is usually the smarter default.

4) You need “steel-like” strength without steel’s downsides

PET provides high tensile strength for many applications while reducing:

injury risk
product damage
handling difficulty

Steel still wins for extreme sharp/hot/rigid loads, but PET covers a huge portion of industrial pallets.

5) You want safer operations

PET is easier and safer to handle than steel:

less recoil danger
fewer sharp edges
less cutting hazard

For warehouse teams, this is a big deal.

6) You’re already using stretch wrap but need extra “lock”

Stretch wrap provides containment. PET provides securement.

PET is perfect when:

you already wrap pallets
but you still want straps to clamp the load, prevent layer shift, or secure heavy product

Best practice is often: strap + wrap, not “strap only.”

Call or Text us at 832.400.1394 for a Quote!

Don’t use PET strapping when…

1) The load has razor-sharp edges with no protection

Sharp metal edges can cut PET. If you can’t protect edges, steel may be required.

2) You’re in high heat environments

Plastic straps can creep or soften. Steel is better in extreme heat.

3) The load is ultra-rigid and requires maximum clamp with minimal stretch

Steel may be the better choice for some rigid heavy metal applications.

Quick decision rules (fast)

Choose PET if you answer “yes” to any of these:

Is the load medium to heavy?
Does the load settle or compress?
Is shipping abusive (LTL, long distance, export)?
Do you want strong retained tension and shock absorption?
Do you want safer handling than steel?

If yes → PET is usually the move.

If your load is razor sharp, ultra-rigid, or high heat → steel might be the move.

The two rules that make PET actually work

Rule #1: Use edge protection when cartons or corners can crush

PET tension can crush corners if you strap “naked.”

Use:

edge protectors / corner protectors
strap guards
layer pads if needed

Rule #2: Use PET as part of a securement system

PET secures. Stretch wrap contains. Pads protect.

That combo is how you reduce damage and claims.

Bottom line

Use polyester (PET) strapping for most pallet loads—especially cartons and loads that settle—because it provides strong retained tension, absorbs shock in transit, and is safer than steel while still handling serious weight. Use steel only when the load is extremely rigid, sharp-edged, or exposed to high heat.