In steel processing, sheet metal manufacturing, and coil slitting operations, it’s common to see the outer tail of a steel coil secured before transport. While the bulk of the coil must be secured with heavy-duty strapping, tapes such as appliance tape or crossweave filament tape are extremely useful for holding the loose outer edge of the coil in place.
This simple step prevents the outer wrap of the coil from springing open, reduces handling hazards, and keeps the product neat and controlled during storage or transport.
At MPS Packaging Australia, two tapes commonly used for this application are:
- Tensilised Polypropylene Appliance Tape (A815)
- Premium Bi-Directional Crossweave Filament Tape (G675)
Each has slightly different strengths depending on the application.
Tensilised Polypropylene Appliance Tape (A815)
Tensilised polypropylene tape is designed for applications where strong holding power and clean removal are required.
This tape is made from mono-oriented polypropylene film with a synthetic rubber adhesive, giving it high tensile strength and resistance to moisture, chemicals, and staining.
In industries such as whitegoods manufacturing, appliance tape is commonly used to hold doors, drawers, and components in place during transport.
Why it works well for coil ends
For steel coils or sheet metal rolls, this tape can be used to:
- Hold the outer tail of the coil down
- Prevent the sheet from unwinding during handling
- Provide a temporary hold without damaging the metal surface
- Allow clean removal when the coil is ready for processing
- Prevent users from cutter themselves on the sharp coil end which would otherwise stickout.
Another advantage of tensilised polypropylene tape is that it offers strong holding power while still being designed for temporary tabbing and securing applications.
This makes it ideal for light holding tasks where you want strength, but you don’t want adhesive residue left on the material.
Premium Bi-Directional Crossweave Filament Tape (G675)
For heavier or more demanding applications, crossweave filament tape is often the better option.
This tape is constructed from a polypropylene film that is reinforced with a mesh of fibreglass strands running in both directions, giving it extremely high tensile strength and tear resistance.
Because the fibres run both lengthways and crossways, crossweave filament tape has:
- High resistance to tearing
- Excellent burst strength
- Strong adhesion to metal, cardboard, and plastic
- Resistance to splitting if punctured
This makes crossweave tape ideal for strapping, bundling, and reinforcing heavy products in industrial environments.
Why it works well for coil ends
When used on steel coils, crossweave tape can:
- Hold down springy sheet metal edges
- Resist tearing on sharp metal corners
- Provide a stronger hold than standard packaging tape
For slit coils or narrow sheet products, this added reinforcement can be very useful.
Important: Tape Is Not a Replacement for Coil Strapping
While tapes such as appliance tape or crossweave filament tape are extremely useful, it’s important to understand their role.
These tapes are designed to hold the outer edge of the coil down, not to contain the full weight of the coil itself.
The main structural containment of the coil should always be done with proper strapping such as:
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Steel strapping – typically used for heavy steel coils and dense materials.
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High-strength PET strapping – commonly used for lighter coils or sheet metal bundles.
Strapping provides the primary load containment, while the tape simply keeps the outer wrap neat and prevents the coil tail from lifting or unwinding.
A Simple but Effective Coil Packaging Method
A typical method used in steel processing plants is:
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Apply several wraps of steel or PET strapping around the coil to secure the load.
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Use appliance tape or crossweave filament tape to secure the loose outer edge.
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Ensure the tape is applied firmly to a clean surface for maximum adhesion.
This combination provides both structural security and clean handling.
Coil Packaging Solutions from MPS Packaging Australia
At MPS Packaging Australia, we supply a wide range of packaging materials used in steel, engineering, and manufacturing industries, including:
- Tensilised appliance tape
- Crossweave filament tape
- PET strapping systems
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Steel strapping tools and seals
Whether you’re securing slit coils, sheet metal, or fabricated steel products, using the right combination of tape and strapping can greatly improve safety, handling, and transport stability.
