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How to get it just right: Quality control in TITAN steel strap production
During the incoming goods inspection, we ensure the quality of the raw materials: only 100% flawless material that meets all inspection criteria has the chance to become TITAN packaging steel strap.
- Visual inspection: Every delivery of raw materials is visually inspected immediately upon receipt for obvious damage, rust, scratches, deformation and contamination.
- Certificate verification: In the second step, we check the manufacturer’s material certificates to ensure that the material meets the specified requirements (steel grade, chemical composition, mechanical properties).
- Random sampling: Trust is good, verification is better. That is why we additionally verify the accuracy of the material specifications by taking samples of the incoming material.
Regular checks throughout the production process ensure that the quality of the raw material is maintained in the final product.
- Dimensional accuracy testing: Throughout the manufacturing process – slitting, heat treatment, and coating – we continuously monitor the dimensional accuracy of the material. This includes constant checks of the thickness, width, twist, and flatness of the packaging steel strap.
- Surface inspection: The surface of the material is continuously checked for defects such as scratches, marks or stains. For packaging steel strap, a uniform coating application is of the utmost importance to ensure the most secure sealing during the subsequent strapping process using the TITANARG® TIG welding joint.
- Edge quality: After slitting and rounding, the cut edges undergo a final inspection. Here, we ensure that no cutting burrs remain.
The best coating a steel strap could have
All TITAN packaging steel straps are electrophoretically coated using state-of-the-art plants, just as in the automotive industry. To achieve this, we pass an electric current through the coating and apply only as much as is actually required. The amount is always exactly the same, and the thickness remains consistent across tens of kilometres of straps. This is a quality promise that no one else in Europe can match. When it comes to drying, too, we leave nothing to chance or to the blowers: we dry inductively from the inside out, which is why we never have bubbles on the surface. A final coat of wax also guarantees optimum gliding properties in the strapping machine. And energy is only used when it is really needed. Sorry, we can’t help it.
The final inspection carried out after processing ensures that we can affix the TITAN quality seal to every packaging steel strap at the end of the process.
- Dimensional inspection and tolerance checks: Before dispatch, the final dimensions of the finished steel strap are checked again with precision. Compliance with the specified tolerances (length, width, thickness, flatness, twist) is crucial to ensure that the steel strap is ideally suited to its intended purpose.
- Surface quality: The quality of the strap surface is also subject to a final inspection – to ensure everything is perfect.
- Corrosion protection: Our unique electrophoretic coating process ensures a perfectly uniform coating application with maximum corrosion resistance. Regular salt spray tests provide clear evidence of the long-lasting corrosion protection offered by our steel strapping compared to competitors.
Chemical analysis of TITAN packaging steel strap
We verify the correct chemical composition of the steel we process using spectral analysis. This tells us whether the carbon, manganese, chromium, nickel and other alloying element contents fall within the specified limits. For certain applications, we also carry out chemical tests to assess compatibility with other steel straps, thereby ensuring, for example, weldability.
The surface of our packaging steel strap is continuously inspected visually for scratches, inclusions, rolling defects or surface contamination. Particularly in the case of surfaces that are to undergo further treatment, such as painting or coating, we also measure the surface roughness (Rz, Ra).
All TITAN steel strap undergoes these mechanical tests
Steel strap has to withstand a lot during the strapping process. That’s why we put its mechanical properties through their paces before delivery. Coil by coil by coil.
- Tensile test: This test measures the tensile strength, yield strength and elongation at break of every TITAN packaging steel strap. This ensures that the material meets all mechanical requirements, such as strength and elongation/elasticity. Here, we focus particularly on potential impact loads.
- Hardness test: In this stage of the quality control process, the surface hardness of the material is measured – for example, using the Brinell or Vickers scales. This allows us to test whether the material meets the relevant requirements for hardness and wear resistance.
- Bending test: This tests whether the material can be bent without cracking or breaking, which is particularly crucial for the load-bearing capacity of our packaging straps.
- Notched impact test (Charpy test): This test measures the toughness of the material and provides information on how well the steel is able to absorb energy before it breaks. This is all the more important for steel packaging straps intended for use under dynamic loads or in cold environments.
For corrosion testing, we use the salt spray test to assess how resistant our steel strapping is to corrosion in this simulated environment. If the steel is coated or galvanised, we also measure the thickness of the protective coating – such as the zinc coating – to ensure that all corrosion protection requirements are met.
The geometry must be right too
In the geometric tests that our packaging steel strapping undergoes, we assess the properties that are particularly relevant to smooth processing and play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of the products.
- Flatness test: For steel strapping, it is important that the material exhibits a high degree of flatness, as warping can impair processability and subsequent use.
- Straightness test: Straightness, for example in cut-to-length straps, must also be checked to ensure that the material is suitable for its intended applications.
- Dimensional accuracy and tolerance: The thickness of the finished steel strapping is precisely checked using micrometres or laser measuring devices. This ensures that it meets the specified tolerances.
Does this feel like the right fit for you?
Then let's get to know each other. Make an appointment with your personal TITAN Solution Team. Our experts will ask all the important and relevant questions and develop the perfect strapping solution for you.
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