Most of us have used at least one cable tie in our lifetime. Although its name directly indicates its purpose (which is to tie cables), we also use these items to organise, secure, lock, repair, create, and even decorate. But how much do you know about these indispensable plastic straps?
We’ve listed down some of the most astonishing facts you should know about.
1. Marcus C. Logan, an employee of the electrical company Thomas & Betts, invented cable ties in 1956. He visited a Boeing aircraft facility and saw the bad cuts and thick calluses on workers’ hands from tying wax-coated, braided nylon cords around cable bundles.
2. The tooth of the original design was made of metal, but it was later changed to plastic. You can still find metal-toothed cable ties these days, which are used for heavier applications. Here’s a comprehensive guide to cable ties.
3. In 1958 Memphis, Tennessee, the cable tie was patented as the “Ty-Rap”. It is also called by various names, including zipper tie, zip tie, wire tie, wire wrap, mouse belt, hose tie, and rat belt.
4. If the cable ties will be exposed to sunlight, it’s best to choose black ones. This is because the black carbon additive provides (minimum 2%) UV protection to the plastic and extends its service life. Get specialised cable ties here.
5. Most cable ties are made of Nylon®, invented by the American company Dupont in 1937. Nylon® is one of the most widely used synthetic thermoplastics globally for its high strength, high dimensional stability, and high abrasion resistance.
6. The typical cable tie is made up of flexible nylon tape along an integrated gear track. One end has a ratchet within a small case. When you pull the pointed tip through the case and the ratchet, you cannot pull back; you can only pull the loop to make it tighter.
There are eight main types of cable ties:
- – standard cable ties
- – releasable cable ties
- – mounted-head cable ties
- – push-mount cable ties
- – self-adhesive cable ties
- – double-headed cable ties
- – stainless steel cable ties
- – reusable cable ties
7. Cable ties from different manufacturers can vary in tensile strength—even if they’re of the same size and colour. The tensile strength specifies the maximum weight a tie can sustain. “Make sure to check this rating for heavy applications. It would be best if you also avoid cable ties that have been exposed to sunlight.”, reminds Shane Perry, Max Funding’s business advisor and an avid DIY-er.
6. You can join two cable ties together if one is too short. Just push the tapered end of one tie into the jaw of the other until the teeth are locked. Clip any excess, and you now have a longer tie.
9. Cable ties with metal content are specifically designed for the food and pharmaceutical industry to support quality assurance, e.g., HACCP. The metallic pigment is detectable by standard equipment and helps reduce the risk of contamination. For easy visual detection, these cable ties are usually in blue.
10. More than 45 companies manufacture cable ties worldwide. This means billions of these items are produced each year!
Pricemark is a trusted supplier of a wide range of high-grade cable ties for almost any application. Whether you need standard ones or super heavy-duty straps, we have it all at the best market prices. Free shipping for over $300!
