Cord Strapping for Heavy-Duty Shipping & Cargo Securement
When you need a reliable solution for securing freight and bundled materials, cord strapping delivers the strength and flexibility required for demanding transportation and storage applications. Designed as a safer, lighter alternative to traditional steel banding, Cordstrap cord strapping provides exceptional load stability, tension retention, and durability across a wide range of industries.
We offer premium composite and woven cord strapping engineered to handle heavy loads while reducing damage risks and improving workplace safety. Whether you're securing lumber, machinery, construction materials, or palletized freight, you'll find the right strapping solution for your application.
What Is Cord Strapping?
Cord strapping is a high-strength polyester banding material used to stabilize, bundle, and secure cargo during storage and transportation. Unlike steel strapping, cord strapping remains flexible under tension, allowing it to conform to irregularly shaped loads while maintaining excellent holding power.
With high break strengths and superior shock absorption, cord strapping is commonly used for palletizing products, bundling lumber and building materials, securing machinery, export shipping, warehouse storage, and load containment during transit.
For a complete securement system, pair your strapping with compatible strapping buckles, strapping tensioners, and edge protectors.
Why Choose Cord Strapping Over Steel Banding?
Cord strapping offers many advantages over traditional steel banding, making it the preferred choice for modern shipping and cargo securement operations.
Improved Safety
Unlike steel banding, cord strapping has no sharp edges and does not create dangerous recoil when cut, helping reduce workplace injuries during installation and removal.
Better Load Protection
Steel banding can scratch, dent, or damage finished products. Cord strapping helps protect sensitive surfaces while maintaining secure tension throughout transit.
Weather-Resistant Performance
Cord strapping will not rust, stain, or deteriorate when exposed to moisture, making it ideal for outdoor storage and international shipping environments.
Lower Operating Costs
Lightweight construction reduces handling fatigue and shipping weight. Most cord strapping systems require only a single tensioning tool, reducing equipment costs and maintenance compared to steel banding systems.
Flexible Load Securement
The polyester construction allows the strapping to flex with load movement while maintaining tension, helping prevent shifting during transportation.
Cord Strapping vs. Ratchet Straps
While ratchet straps remain the preferred option for reusable vehicle tie-down applications, cord strapping often provides a more economical solution for shipping and freight securement.
Cord Strapping Advantages
- Lower cost per shipment
- Disposable after delivery
- Fast installation on high-volume loads
- Accommodates virtually any load size
- Ideal for palletized and bundled products
Ratchet Strap Advantages
- Reusable for repeated applications
- Ideal for vehicle and trailer securement
- Easily adjustable for changing load requirements
For one-way shipping and export applications, cord strapping is often the more practical and cost-effective choice. Browse our selection of ratchet straps for reusable cargo securement solutions.
Types of Cord Strapping
We offer both composite and woven cord strapping to meet different load securement requirements. All Cordstrap products are CTU Code compliant and have been independently witness-tested by DNV.
Often referred to as synthetic steel, composite strapping combines high-tenacity polyester filament yarn with a durable polymer coating to create an exceptionally strong and rigid securement solution.
Composite strapping is an excellent choice for heavy industrial loads, long-term storage, export shipping, construction materials, and machinery securement.
Composite Strapping Features
- High rigidity and strength
- Easier feeding under pallets and loads
- Maintains integrity even if individual fibers are damaged
- Excellent tension retention
- Available in Ultra-Flex formulations for cold-weather applications
Most Cordstrap composite products feature Ultra-Flex technology, allowing use in temperatures as low as -4°F (-20°C).
Recommended Accessories: Use with galvanized steel buckles for optimal performance and secure holding power.
Woven polyester strapping is manufactured from coated high-tenacity polyester yarns designed to provide superior flexibility and shock absorption.
Its softer construction makes it ideal for sensitive or shifting loads that require a secure hold without surface damage.
Woven Strapping Features
- Greater flexibility and conformability
- Softer feel against products
- Enhanced shock absorption
- Excellent grip on load surfaces
- Reduced risk of product damage
Recommended Accessories: Use with phosphate-coated wire buckles for maximum slip resistance and holding strength.
Understanding Cord Strapping Strength Ratings
The most important performance specification for any strapping system is its System Break Strength (SBS).
System Break Strength measures the combined strength of the complete securement system, including the cord strapping, compatible buckle, and proper tension applied with a strapping tensioner.
Keep in mind that hand-tightened strapping without a tensioner will not achieve the rated system strength.
How Much Strapping Do You Need?
As a general guideline, the combined strength of your strapping system should meet or exceed the weight of the load being secured.
For example, if your load weighs 2,000 lbs. and your strapping system has a 1,000 lb. System Break Strength, a minimum of two properly installed straps would be required to achieve sufficient securement strength.
Common Cord Strapping Applications
Cord strapping is widely used across numerous industries because of its versatility, durability, and ease of use.
- Freight and shipping terminals
- Warehouses and distribution centers
- Construction and lumber yards
- Manufacturing facilities
- Export packaging operations
- Palletizing and bundling products
- Machinery and equipment securement
Whether you're securing a single pallet or preparing large industrial shipments, cord strapping provides dependable load containment throughout the supply chain.
Complete Your Strapping System
Get everything you need for a complete cargo securement setup in one place.
