How to choose the right cable tie? What is their application for?

There are many types of cable ties, definitely not just the common and usual Nylon 6,6 cable ties.

Most cable ties are made of Nylon, invented by the American company Dupont in . Nylon is one of the most widely used synthetic thermoplastics globally for its high strength, high dimensional stability, and high abrasion resistance.

During World War II -, the invention of the aero-gas turbine engine accelerated the use of jet aircraft and the exponential growth in production. In order to repair these aircraft in a short time and to bundle the large number of lengthy wires of the aircraft, self-locking ties, similar to the hair curler concept, were used to fasten and bundle the cable wires, and to shorten the time to arrange the cables and to prevent hand calluses or injuries caused by the large number of tied wires during assembly.

In , Kurt Robel filed a patent for nylon ties in France (FRA), and in , Maurus C Logan also published a patent document describing this concept (USA).
In , when the Vietnam War began, in addition to military aircraft, more and more civilian airliners were added to the fleet, as well as portable instant airbases, and aircraft were pre-wired to meet the demand for quick and immediate assembly on site. In addition to aircraft during the Cold War, space races, the manufacture of missiles, satellites and spacecraft, and even computers, used more complex and extensive wiring, and the installation and management of cables became more important and widespread.

The most common material is Nylon 6,6 cable ties, they are like an all-around product. They are available in different lengths, widths, tensile strengths, mechanical designs, colors, etc. Binding wires and cables together with cable ties in life can keep them in order and prevent damage to the wires or pipes, which could lead to the risk of fires in the wires.

Different materials of ties have different characteristics and are used for different purposes in various industries. For example, in extreme cold climates, extreme harsh climates, extreme chemical environments, deserts and special industries, general Nylon 6,6 may not be able to adapt to temperature changes, chemical properties, etc., and may break or become fatigued in these special environments. Therefore, if you need a UV resistant solution, you can choose a Nylon 6,6 weather resistant material or a Nylon 12 material that will work better in outdoor environments, even in desert and solar field applications. In addition, cable ties with metal content are designed for the food and pharmaceutical industries to support quality assurance, such as HACCP, and metallic pigments can be detected by standard equipment, helping to reduce the risk of contamination. For visual detection, these cable ties are usually in blue.

The material determines which solution is right for your industry, from the most general Nylon, to additive materials such as heat-resistant, UV-resistant, cold-resistant, metal-detectable, Nylon 6, Nylon 12, or Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), stainless steel 304, stainless steel 316, etc.

The table below allows you to find out the characteristics of different materials according to your industry or application, and can help you select the right material, as well as provide a product overview for the professional and high-quality products offered by Hua Wei.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Zhonggu.

A guide to the tensile strength of cable ties

The strength and reliability of cable ties, also commonly known as zip ties, is reflected in tensile strength. Cable tie tensile strength is primarily based on a combination of factors such as the material composition and dimensions of the cable tie. We&#;ve written this guide to help you understand cable tie tensile strength so that you can make the right choice for your application. We&#;ll cover:

• What is Cable Tie Tensile Strength?
• How to Measure Cable Ties
• Cable Ties: Sizes

What is Cable Tie Tensile Strength?

Cable tie tensile strength refers to the maximum amount of force or load that a cable tie can withstand before breaking or failing. Think of it as a measure of the strength and durability of the cable tie when subjected to tensile or pulling forces.

Cable tie tensile strength is typically specified in pounds (lbs) or kilograms (kg). The value indicates the maximum load that cable ties can withstand without breaking or deforming significantly. Higher tensile strength values indicate stronger and more robust cable ties capable of handling greater loads.

When selecting cable ties for a specific application, consider the anticipated tension or pulling forces that the cable ties may experience. The appropriate cable tie tensile strength ensures that they can securely fasten and support the cables or components without failure.

Different materials that make cable ties, such as nylon cable ties or stainless steel cable ties, may have varying tensile strength values, depending on the type of nylon or grade of stainless steel. Always make sure you have the cable tie tensile strength needed for reliable and secure fastening.

What is minimum looped tensile strength?

This refers to the minimum load capacity that the looped portion of cable ties should be able to withstand without breaking or deforming significantly.

When using a cable tie, the looped end is inserted through the head or locking mechanism and pulled tight to secure the cables together. The minimum loop tensile strength tells you the strength required for the looped portion to maintain its integrity and securely hold the cables or objects in place. When we talk about cable tie tensile strength, this is what is meant. 

Essentra Components provides the minimum tensile strength value for cables, which helps you select the correct cable tie tensile strength for reliable and secure fastening.

How to Measure Cable Ties

In addition to the minimum tensile strength, accurate measurements will help ensure that the cable ties are suitable for your application and can withstand the necessary loads effectively.

First, it helps to measure the cable tie bundle diameter, which is the diameter of the cable bundle that you plan on securing. This determines the sizes of cable ties that you&#;ll need. Group the cables or objects you intend to fasten with zip ties into a bundle. Use a flexible measuring tape or a caliper to measure the maximum outer diameter of the bundled cables. Make sure to measure at the widest point of the bundle.

To measure zip ties themselves:

• Length Measurement: Use a measuring tape or ruler to measure the distance from the locking head to the tip of the cable tie. This measurement determines the usable length of the cable tie.
• Width Measurement: Some people refer to this as zip tie thickness. Measure the width of the cable tie along the strap part. 

Wire clips, also known as cable clips, might serve your purpose better than cable ties, depending on your application. You can learn more about these components in our Guide to Cable Clips. 

You should also check out our Guide to Cable Twist Ties and watch our video, Types of Cable Ties & Clips.

Related links:
How Are Self-Locking Cable Ties Revolutionizing Organization?
Self-Locking Cable Ties ODM: Custom Solutions vs. Off-the-Shelf Options

Contact us to discuss your requirements of 304 Stainless Steel Cable Ties. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Cable Ties: Sizes

Pay special attention to the middle column in each cable ties sizes chart below. The cables or components you&#;re bundling should not exceed that weight. 

Note, more sizes are available, which you can check out by following the links. The examples in each zip tie size chart are to illustrate what you should pay attention to when determining the cable tie tensile strength needed for your application. 

Standard cable ties &#; Nylon 6/6

Tough, high-quality standard nylon cable ties are suitable for a wide range of electrical applications. These standard cable ties come with a built-in locking mechanism to prevent accidental removal. Also available are heat-stabilized locking cable ties. If your application is outdoors, consider using weather-resistant standard cable ties, which stands up to UV rays. 

Size: length x width Minimum loop tensile strength Maximum cable tie bundle diameter 3.780 in x 0.100 in 18 lbs 0.910 in 5.910 in x 0.140 in 40 lbs 1.480 in 6.300 in x 0.180 in 50 lbs 1.520 in 14.960 in x 0.250 in 100 lbs 4.330 in 8.580 in x 0.300 in 120 lbs 2.010 in 14.960 in x 0.300 in 120 lbs 4.330 in 24.020 in x 0.350 in 175 lbs 7.01 in 9.060 in x 0.500 in 250 lbs 2.480 in

 

Standard cable ties &#; releasable, thumb press

Also made of nylon 6/6, these standard cable ties remain locked until intentionally released by pressing your thumb against the tab. These are great for temporary bundling purposes or if frequent maintenance or changes are necessary. 

Also available are standard cable ties with a releasable tab.

Size: length x width Minimum loop tensile strength Maximum cable tie bundle diameter 8.094 in x 0.300 in 30 lbs 1.880 in 5.500 in x 0.210 in 40 lbs 1.250 in 6.000 in x 0.190 in 50 lbs 1.500 in 14.570 in x 0.190 in 50 lbs 4.020 in

 

Stainless steel cable ties

Self-locking and made from 304 and 316 grade Stainless Steel. They&#;re easily installed by hand and are ideal for assemblies in various environmental conditions. Stainless steel cable ties provide strength and durability, while resisting extreme temperatures. Use 304 grade for indoor or outdoor applications and grade 316 if the environment is corrosive. Operating temperature range: &#;328°F to °F (&#;200°C to 538°C).

You can learn more about these grades in our guide, 304 vs. 316 Stainless Steel: What&#;s the Difference?

Size: length x width Minimum loop tensile strength Maximum cable tie bundle diameter 7.913 in x 0.18 in 100 lbs 2.008 in 39.291 in x 0.18 in 100 lbs 11.969 in 20.512 in x 0.31 in 250 lbs 5.984 in 32.992 in x 0.31 in 250 lbs 10 in 39.291 in x 0.31 in 250 lbs 11.969 in

 

You can find additional information about the different types of cable ties, their different applications, and materials in our Guide to Cable Ties.

Download free CADs and try before you buy

Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download. You can also request free samples to make sure you&#;ve chosen the right product for what you need. 

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 dispatch. Request your free samples or download free CADs now.

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