03 February | Cableties Online
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What are nylon cables ties? What are they made from and what can I use nylon cable ties for? And exactly how strong are they? We have the answers to all your questions in this helpful guide.
A nylon cable tie is a long thin strip of nylon that is used to hold items, usually cables, together in bundles. Cable ties were originally invented by Maurus C Logan after a visit to an aircraft facility in the s. He witnessed the devastating effects that securing the aircraft cabling and wiring had on workers' hands, and decided to create something to make their lives easier. It took him 2 years to finalise the design, which was patented in . Cable ties are also known as zip ties, hose ties or Ty-Rap (a brand name).
One end of a cable tie is pointed and features serrations or ridges (a gear rack). The opposite end of the tie has a ratchet within a square hole. When the pointed end is passed through the square head and past the ratchet, it cannot be pulled back, resulting in a loop which can be tightened and which self-locks.
Nylon cable ties are made from a group of plastics known as polyamides and are usually either nylon 6 or nylon 6/6. These figures refer to the chemical structure of the particular nylon used and while each type shares some qualities, we supply only nylon 6/6 cable ties. To learn more about the science behind the types of nylon used in the manufacture of cable ties, read our blog What are cable ties made of?
Still predominantly used to bundle wiring and cables together, cable ties today play a part in industrial, commercial and domestic applications. In the aircraft and automotive industries, cable ties enable efficient cable management and the range of sizes available allows them to be used for everything from large, heavy hoses to delicate wiring in confined spaces. Their chemical and heat resistant properties also makes them ideal in environments where oil and petrol are to be found. In food production and the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, variations of the standard nylon 6/6 cable tie are used. Closer to home, cable ties are indispensable for keeping unruly and unsightly cables at bay in the home office or behind the entertainment station. However, they can also be used in the garden and elsewhere around the house and some people have been known to create works of art out of them!
Cable tie strength is known as tensile strength and is generally measured and given in kilograms. For example, our 80mm x 2.5mm nylon 6/6 cable tie has a tensile strength of 8kg which refers to the maximum load this cable tie can bear before breaking. Our widest nylon 6/6 cable tie (12.7mm) has a tensile strength of 114kg. Our blog, How strong are cable ties? discusses the tensile strength of all our cable ties.
Nylon 6/6 cable ties are strong and flexible and offer a high resistance to heat and chemicals. With a working temperature range of minus 40°C to 85°C (minus 40°F to 185°F), nylon 6/6 meets all UL94V-2 flammability ratings. Nylon 6/6 can also be heat stabilised without compromising its physical properties when exposed to temperatures up to 125°C, and it can also be UV stabilised making it ideal for prolonged outdoor exposure.
In addition to our standard nylon 6/6 cable ties, we offer printed nylon cable ties, releasable cable ties, marker cable ties, metal detectable nylon cable ties, and UV & heat stabilised cable ties. So, whatever the job you are tackling, we are sure to have a cable tie to meet your needs.
For any further information about any of our cable ties, our knowledgeable staff can be contacted with any questions on or by at
Also known as zip ties, cable ties are fasteners that bundle your cables and wires together to keep them organized and prevent damage. They come in different sizes, lengths, materials and even colors. The different uses of cable ties vary across industries, but what they all have in common is that they're the most effective way to manage your cables.
Scottish-born Maurus C. Logan, who worked at Thomas & Betts, invented cable ties in . He got the idea while touring an aircraft facility, noticing how difficult and complex the job of wiring was. It involved thousands of feet of cabling manually secured with knotted, wax-coated, braided nylon cord, leaving the workers' hands with deep cuts and callouses. This is an example of a simple invention having a profound effect on lives.
Materials play a large role in determining which solution is right for your application. You'll find durable cable ties in these materials:
Nylon produces a high-strength zip tie with good thermal and abrasion resistance. It also resists fuels and most chemicals. Nylon 6/6, the grade most often used for cable ties, meets UL94 V-2 flammability ratings and can operate in temperatures as low as -40°F. Typically, a nylon zip-tie melting point is 185°F.
Nylon cable ties can be heat stabilized for continuous or extended exposure to high temperatures of up to 250°F. The manufacturing process can also produce UV stabilized ties for outdoor use. For example, you can have the same cable tie, but manufactured for different applications.
Example:
Nylon standard cable ties, releasable
Outdoor use
Indoor use
Natural'
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Black UV stabilized'
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If you're looking for chemical resistant cable ties, consider polypropylene (PE). It resists acids, polyhydric alcohols, neutral salts and basic salts, making it a better choice in this instance than nylon. It does have a lower tensile strength than nylon 6/6, but it's also more flexible. Polypropylene can also stand up to UV exposure.
Just as you can get the same cable tie formulated differently, you can get the same cable tie in different materials. For example, beaded cable ties are available in nylon or polypropylene.
View our range of polypropylene cable ties
Low density polyethylene (LDPE) has a high-ductile nature and less-than-average tensile strength. As a material for cable ties, it's not commonly used. However, it stretches and conforms well to surfaces and has excellent chemical resistance to dilute and concentrated acids, alcohols, bases and esters, so it has its uses. For these reasons, it's often used for ties that are meant to bundle cables temporarily.
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Stainless steel cable ties provide high tensile strength. They can also stand extremely high temperatures, from '328°F to °F. There are two types of stainless steel used in cable ties: 304 and 316. Type 304 is used for general purposes, with both indoor and outdoor applications. When corrosion is a threat, it's Type 316 you need.
Browse stainless steel cable ties
Learn more about the tensile strength of cable ties in our expert guide.
Now that you understand the difference in materials, let's look at applications. It also might help you to read Cable management ' the design engineer's application guide
Ties are available as single-use and reusable. You can remove zip ties without cutting if they're single-use, but it will slow down your processes to open them. To open a traditional tie:
We advise you not to re-use a single-use tie too many times. The more you open and retie them, the quicker the ribs, or teeth, will wear down. Another issue is the locking mechanism itself. Its grip loosens over time when you push or pull against it multiple times.
Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download. You can also request free samples to make sure you've chosen exactly what you need. You might find The ultimate guide to cable management helpful. If you're not quite sure which solution will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you.
Whatever your requirements, you can depend on fast despatch. Request your free samples or download free CADs now.
Questions?
us at or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 800-847-.
For more information, please visit Self Locking Cable Tie.