For procurement officers managing high-volume warehouses selecting the right industrial grade packaging tape is a balance between cost-efficiency and load security. However, comparing technical specifications can be a sticky situation if you don’t know which metrics actually impact performance. At Knight Packaging Supplies, we’ve spent over 50 years helping Australian businesses navigate these technicalities, and we believe that understanding the difference between micron and tensile strength is the key to reducing waste and preventing transit damage.
Understanding Micron: The Measure of Thickness
In the world of industrial grade packaging tape, the micron count refers to the total thickness of the tape, including both the backing (usually BOPP plastic) and the adhesive layer.
- Why it Matters: Generally, a higher micron count indicates a thicker tape that is more resistant to splitting and tearing during application.
- The Cold Tack Factor: In a chilly warehouse, a higher micron tape often carries a thicker layer of adhesive, which is essential for maintaining cold tack on recycled corrugated board.
- Application: While a 40-micron tape might suffice for lightweight retail boxes, heavy-duty industrial shipping usually requires a 45 to 50-micron industrial grade packaging tape to ensure a reliable seal.
Understanding Tensile Strength: The Measure of Endurance
While micron measures thickness, tensile strength measures the amount of force or stress a tape can withstand before it breaks.
- Structural Integrity: High tensile strength is what allows a pallet to stay unitised during the bumpy transit across the Nullarbor to Perth or through the humidity of a Brisbane summer.
- Machine Compatibility: If you are using a Pacmasta carton sealer, using an industrial grade packaging tape with high tensile strength is critical to prevent the tape from snapping under the constant tension of the machine.
- Material Science: Reinforced kraft tapes often have lower micron counts than thick PVC tapes but offer significantly higher tensile strength due to the fibreglass or paper reinforcements embedded within the tape.
Which Metric Should Procurement Prioritise?
The winning formula for your warehouse depends on your specific application. A thick tape (high micron) is excellent for rough handling and cold environments, whereas a strong tape (high tensile) is non-negotiable for heavy loads and automated machinery.
At Knight Packaging Supplies, we don’t just sell anything; we look after our customers’ specific needs and wants. With Michael’s 30 years and Lyndal’s 20 years of industry experience, we help procurement officers audit their current usage to ensure they aren’t over-specifying (and over-paying) or under-specifying (and risking damage). We only supply well-known, quality brands because we believe in quality with very little problems for the end user.
The Knight Packaging One-Stop Shop
As a family-owned Australian business, we are dedicated to making your life easier. We provide the hands-on support and quick decisions you won’t find at a large corporation. Whether you need a pallet of industrial grade packaging tape or a new Pacmasta wrapping machine, we are your reliable local partner.
Ready to optimise your tape procurement? Speak directly to Michael or Lyndal about the micron and tensile requirements for your specific cartons.