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Metal staples rank among the most popular types of staples and are used in many settings ranging from construction to crafting. They are made from various metal types and, therefore, come in diverse shapes, sizes, and designs. The following are the most common types.
Standard staples are the most common staples and are widely used in normal paperwork. These are used in regular office work, hence called office staples. While they are typically made from stainless steel, some are also sold as chromated steel or galvanized steel. Most standard staples are sold in 1,500 count refill packs and are most compatible with basic staplers that require no extra force for stapling.
As their name suggests, heavy-duty staples are designed for staplers that apply a lot of force during stapling. Such staplers are usually called heavy-duty staplers, and they use bigger staple sizes. Metal heavy-duty staples are primarily made of stainless steel for increased durability and are mostly used for binding large documents, corrugated boards, and upholstery.
Industrial-strength staples are designed for heavy loading and extreme conditions. These staples are used at the construction level for projects like roofing, insulation, and drywall. They are made from stainless steel, chrome, or galvanized steel and are highly resistant to corrosion.
U-shaped staples, known as "horseshoe staples," have a design that looks like a "U." This design allows them to be used in fencing, wiring, and anchoring materials. Metal U-shaped staples are ideal for outdoor use as they are resistant to moisture and weather conditions. They give an anchored foundation and are hence widely used in agricultural and construction projects.
Crown staples are designed for pneumatic staplers or compressor staplers. They are used extensively in the furniture industry, construction, and woodworking because they are strong enough to replace nails in low-load applications. The coronet or crown part of the staple gives it splendid holding power while distributing pressure evenly across the staple.
These staples come in varying widths from 10 mm to 50 mm and are mainly made of stainless or galvanized steel. The wide staple crown allows the staple to penetrate thick materials without bending or breaking, making it ideal for tough applications.
The durability of metal staples depends significantly on the materials they are made of and the application in which they are used. Some of the common materials used to make metal staples and their durability include:
This is the most common material for making metal staples. Stainless steel is highly durable, rust-resistant, and strong. These properties make the staples ideal for both indoor and outdoor usage, especially in environments exposed to moisture.
Chromated steel staples have a thin chromium layer on the staple to enhance its resistance to rust and corrosion. This makes staples out of this material good for areas with high humidity or adverse weather. Their strength properties are similar to those of stainless steel.
Galvanized staples are made from steel and then coated with zinc to increase resistance to rust and corrosion. Commonly used for outdoor applications, these staples are considered an affordable and durable solution. While they do not rust as easily as regular steel staples, after prolonged exposure to elements, the zinc coating may wear off, and eventually, they will rust.
Bronze and copper staples are ideal for specialized applications such as marine environments. They double as corrosion-resistant and anticorrosion materials, which is extremely useful in marine conditions, i.e., salt water exposure. This makes them suitable for use in boats, piers, and other marine equipment.
Such staples have steel as their core material for strength and are hence coated with a polymer layer, i.e., plastic. The polymer provides additional moisture and corrosion resistance. They are mainly used in medical applications because they are less likely to cause allergic reactions and in environments where electrical conductivity must be avoided.
The commercial value of metal staples arises from possible large-scale production and multipurpose applications across various industries.
The biggest use of metal staples is in the supply of office and school stationery. These staples are used to staple together documents, papers, files, and educational materials. In large offices and schools requiring a lot of stapling, heavy-duty staples are also needed as they are used on staplers that require a lot of force.
In the construction industry, metal staples fasten roofing materials, insulation, and even lath for plaster walls. They are also used as an inexpensive fastening system for framing, drywall, and other structural components. The strength of U-shaped and crown staples provide the required tensile integrity and bearing capacity for these construction projects.
Metal staples are used in the furniture industry to make pieces like cabinets, chairs, and sofas. They are fasteners for upholstery, attaching fabrics to wooden frames, and giving them a nice and smooth finish. Crown and pneumatic staples are also used to make glued joints of low load in veneered particleboard and plywood easy.
Metal staples also have quintessential roles in agriculture and landscaping. For example, they are used to secure fence wire, which keeps livestock and other animals away from the crops. In addition, U-shaped staples anchor drip irrigation tubing, plant supports, and other temporary or permanent outdoor installations like tree guards and trellising systems for plants like vines.
In wire management in electrical and low-voltage communication installations, metal staples hold wires and cables down. They are meant to ensure that wires are routed consistently to avoid electrical interference while making the system easy to trace and service.
In industrial packaging, metal staples are used to secure boxes, crates, and other containers. It is because these staples add extra security and reinforce the bottom or top flaps of boxes, so the products in them will be tightly bound for shipping and transporting them to various places without them getting damaged.
There is also a polymer-coated metal staple option in the medical field, i.e., for surgical procedures, particularly for stapling tissues during surgeries. Such staples reduce the probability of interaction with the surrounding tissues compared to staples that are simply metal. They are also used in other medical devices.
When choosing metal staples, it is important to consider the specific application, environment, and staple requirements to ensure optimal performance. Below are these factors:
Application
The first step is to consider the job type that will determine the staple type. For normal day-to-day use in the office or home, standard staples would be enough. In contrast, heavy-duty, industrial staples, or crown staples would be the best for intense industrial or construction applications.
Finally, modem or digital woodworking furniture manufacturers should opt for pneumatic staplers, which require staples with crowns that are wider than average, while primitive and analog cabinet crafters easily staple using manual staplers and need narrower crowned staples.
Staple Gauge
This is where one must consider the staple gauge, the lower the number on the gauge, the thicker and stronger the staple. High-gauge products are thinner and, therefore, suitable for less intensive applications. Low-gauge staples are best suited for upholstery and heavy loads.
Staple Length
The staple length should be proportional to the material stacking depth. Forcing a short staple into a thick substrate will not have the necessary holding power to put it down flush, whereas an overly long staple could split the wood, tear the fabric, or bend.
Therefore, select the appropriate staple length, taking into account the total thickness of the material that is being stapled together.
Corrosion Resistance
For staple use in environments that are highly humid, corrosive, or outdoor, always select stainless steel, galvanized, or chrome-plated staples because of their anticorrosion properties. They are the best solution for outdoor applications, marine environments, or even areas with high humidity, as they will not rust and weaken.
Compatibility with Stapler
Ensure that the type of staple one is purchasing is compatible with the stapler or staple gun. The specific types of staple guns, i.e., pneumatic staplers, manual staplers, and electric staplers, need particular staple sizes and gauges. Always consult the staple gun manufacturer to find out what type of staple to use.
A. Standard staples are suitable for lightweight, everyday tasks in offices or schools, while heavy-duty staples are designed for more demanding applications, such as binding thicker materials or in heavy industry. Heavy-duty staples have larger gauges and are stronger than standard staples to withstand greater loads and pressures, making them ideal for furniture, construction, and upholstery work.
A. In the commercial sector, metal staples are the primary fastening technique for boxes, crates, and containers used in industrial packaging. They reinforce the top and bottom flaps of boxes to secure the products during transit, ensuring that the packages arrive at their destination safely and without damage.
A. Surgical staples are mostly made of nickel-free stainless steel or titanium. Stainless steel surgical staples (sewing staples) include strength, durability, and corrosion resistance; titanium staples are lightweight, very strong, and biocompatible. Both types of metal staples offer smooth staple application and reduced tissue damage during surgery, which facilitates quick and risk-free healing.
A. Staple guns are hand and mechanical tools that are used to insert staples into the target objects. Manual staple guns are operated by pulling a handle to drive a staple by nothing but brute hand strength. An electric staple gun uses power-assisted engines that give out native electrical energy to drive the staple.
