Joint efficiency — the percentage of the strap’s own break strength that the seal retains — is the single most important number for transit reliability. A strap rated for 600kg is useless if the joint only holds 350kg. The three common methods retain very different amounts.
How each joint is made
Friction weld (sealless)
The sealing head overlaps the two strap ends and oscillates one against the other at high speed. The friction generates localised heat that melts and fuses the polymer chains, creating a single seamless joint with no separate hardware. Joint efficiency reaches up to 90%. There is no consumable seal to buy and nothing to rust.
Crimped metal clip
A metal seal is crimped over the overlapping strap ends by a hand tool. The hold depends on the crimp quality and operator strength, so joint efficiency is typically around 60% and varies pallet-to-pallet. Clips can slip, corrode in humidity and snap under sudden shock — and every joint is a recurring consumable cost.
Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic sealing is also sealless: high-frequency vibration fuses the strap. It produces a strong joint, but the sealing heads are more complex and generally carry higher maintenance and cost. Friction welding delivers comparable real-world reliability for PP/PET pallet strapping at lower lifetime cost.
| Factor | Friction weld | Metal clip | Ultrasonic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint efficiency | Up to 90% | ~60% | High |
| Sealless (no hardware) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Recurring seal cost | None | High | None |
| Rust risk | None | High | None |
| Head complexity / maintenance | Low | n/a (manual) | Higher |
| Shock performance | Strong | Bursts | Strong |
Why ErgoPack uses friction welding
On the 726X, friction welding gives near-ultrasonic joint strength with a simpler, lower-maintenance head and zero seal cost — the best balance of reliability and lifetime cost for PP and PET pallet strapping.
Stop buying metal seals — see sealless friction welding on your pallets.
Book a demoFrequently Asked Questions
- What is friction weld sealing in pallet strapping?
- Friction weld sealing is a sealless joining method: the machine oscillates two overlapping strap ends against each other so friction heat fuses the polymer into a single seamless joint, reaching up to 90% of the strap’s break strength with no metal seal.
- Is friction welding stronger than metal clips?
- Yes. Friction welding reaches up to 90% joint efficiency, while crimped metal clips typically hold about 60% and can slip, rust and burst under shock. Friction welding also removes the recurring cost of buying metal seals.
- Friction weld vs ultrasonic — which is better for pallet strapping?
- Both are sealless and strong. Ultrasonic heads are more complex and higher-maintenance, while friction welding delivers comparable real-world reliability for PP/PET strapping at lower lifetime cost — which is why the ErgoPack 726X uses friction welding.
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