Cable ties go by a variety of names, including zip ties, zipper ties, wire ties, mouse belts, wire wraps, and hose ties. They are a very basic and convenient bundling technique, commonly used for cable bundling, that ensures the neatness of wires or cable bundles. There are various types of cable ties. This post will introduce you to Nylon Cable Ties and Stainless Steel Ties, as well as evaluate and analyze them from many perspectives, so that you may have a better understanding of cable ties and choose the proper ones.
Definition Comparison
Both are called cable ties, but Nylon Cable Ties are made of nylon 66 material, which has good flexibility, simple operation, good wear resistance and corrosion resistance. They are often used as disposable and efficient binding ropes to bundle wires, cables or hoses together for temporary binding or fixing. Stainless Steel Ties are a kind of slender ribbon binding material made of 304 stainless steel. Compared with nylon cable ties, stainless steel cable ties can provide stronger mechanical strength and high temperature resistance. They are generally used to fix, bundle and bind various industrial materials such as pipelines, cables, equipment, etc. Nylon cable ties are also called plastic cable ties or cable ties, while stainless steel cable ties are generally called steel cable ties or metal cable ties. The names of the two are also different.
Comparison of Tensile Strength
We may have a better knowledge of cable ties’ performance by comparing them to others with similar specs and dimensions, as well as their respective tensile strength. The following are the specific comparative parameters:
Nylon Cable Ties：
| Width(mm) | Length(mm) | Min. Loop Tensile Strength(KG) |
| 4.6 | 150 | 22 |
| 7.6 | 150 | 55 |
| 12 | 400 | 114 |
Stainless Steel Ties：
| Width(W) | Length(L) | Min. Loop Tensile Strength(KG) |
| 4.6 | 150 | 110 |
| 7.9 | 150 | 150 |
| 120 | 400 | 300 |
The above strength parameter comparison chart clearly shows that when the width and length criteria are identical, there is a five-fold difference in the minimum ring tensile strength that nylon and metal cable ties can withstand. It can be shown that when choosing cable ties, if you simply consider the tensile strength that must be sustained during operation, metal cable ties are unquestionably the best option. Metal cable ties have a higher tensile strength than nylon cable ties.
Material Performance Comparison
Depending on the different materials used in their production, their final performance characteristics will also vary. Below, we will introduce and compare the characteristics of nylon cable ties and stainless steel cable ties from the perspective of material structure:
Nylon Cable Ties: They are primarily made from 100% pure nylon PA66 material. This material is a synthetic polyamide thermoplastic, synthesized from two monomers, adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine, through a condensation reaction. It consists of repeating units made up of six carbon atoms (hexamethylene) connected by amide groups, giving them a long-chain structure of repeating units. The chemical formula for Nylon 66 is (NH-(CH2)6-NH-CO-(CH2)4-CO-)n, where n represents the number of repeating units in the polymer chain, which gives Nylon PA66 higher crystallinity and wear resistance.
Source:NLZD
Stainless Steel Ties: 304 stainless steel is a very common type of stainless steel material, classified as austenitic stainless steel. It generally consists of iron, chromium, nickel, and a small amount of carbon, among other elements. From the molecular structure diagram of austenite below, we can see that austenite has a stable molecular structure, providing good ductility and formability. Additionally, metals like chromium and nickel form a stable oxide film, ensuring the stability of the internal structure of the stainless steel, preventing external interference. Therefore, 304 stainless steel possesses excellent corrosion resistance and formability.
Source:nickelinstitute
Design Structure Comparison
Nylon and stainless steel cable ties are used to bundle goods, secure them together, or connect them to other objects. Therefore, they both have a slender belt body and a locking function, so that they can ensure that objects are bundled and fixed. The distinction between their designs is that nylon cable ties are often toothed structures, and attachment is accomplished by coupling the toothed structure on the belt body with the lock buckle. To secure the cables, stainless steel cable ties use ball bearings or toothed metal structures. To achieve a firm bundling, they are typically utilized with specific installation equipment during installation.
Application Scenario Comparison
Cable ties have a very wide range of applications. We frequently utilize cable ties to tie and fix objects in our daily lives. Still, nylon cable ties and stainless steel cable ties have unique qualities and various applications.
Nylon cable ties are commonly used for daily bundling or routine wire and cable bundling. They are simple to use, with good wear resistance and some UV protection. They are frequently used for electrical devices, ordinary cable bundling, and automotive wiring harness fixation, among other things; stainless steel cable ties are commonly used in harsh environments and environments with high bundling strength, such as petrochemicals, marine factories, buildings, mines, and so on, due to their high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and temperature resistance.
Installation and Maintenance Comparison
The installation and subsequent maintenance of cable tie products are often easily overlooked. By understanding the installation and maintenance requirements of the two cable ties, we can have a more comprehensive understanding of nylon cable ties and stainless steel cable ties, as well as the issues that need to be considered when choosing cable ties. Nylon cable ties are noted for their ease of installation. We used them on a daily basis. There is no need to use special tools during installation. Just pass the strap through the buckle, and then tighten it manually to complete the self-locking. Finally, cut off the excess strap part. It is very simple and convenient to use. In terms of maintenance, the durability of nylon cable ties is relatively weak, especially in an environment with corrosion, high temperature or exposure to the sun, the rack and buckle of the strap body may be found to be aged and lose the locking strength, so regular inspections are required, and aging cable ties should be replaced in time.
Stainless steel cable ties are more difficult to install than nylon cable ties due to their high strength and hardness. Stainless steel cable ties cannot be fastened directly with both hands, especially while bundling large products or handling heavy loads. To tighten and cut the cable tie tails, you’ll need cable tie guns or pliers. Stainless steel cable ties may have sharp edges after being cut, so exercise caution. In terms of maintenance, stainless steel cable ties have good wear and corrosion resistance, and there is essentially no need for regular replacement, making maintenance costs low.
Summary
By analyzing the differences between nylon cable ties and stainless steel cable ties from many perspectives, we can gain a thorough understanding of their unique performance characteristics and application situations. In general, nylon cable ties are appropriate for daily use and household appliance bundling due to their quick and easy installation and low cost of use; stainless steel cable ties have the advantages of high strength, corrosion resistance, and low maintenance, but their installation is relatively complicated, making them appropriate for heavy industry and other harsh environments. Whether you choose nylon cable ties or stainless steel cable ties, our company can offer you with a bundling solution that is appropriate for your needs and operating environment.
