If your next project needs some seriously strong cable ties but you aren’t sure which ones, our latest helpful guide looks at the strongest ties on the market.
How strong cable ties are depends on their size (length and width), what they are made from, their bundle diameter and their tensile strength. But what do all these things mean and exactly how strong are cable ties?
What is bundle diameter?
As the name implies, bundle diameter is the collective size of all the cable to be bundled together, measured in millimetres. To ensure your cable ties are sufficient for your bundle diameter, the length of the cable is important. If you are unsure, it is always recommended that you buy longer ties that can be trimmed to size. Cable tie length is measured (in mm) from the head or pawl of the tie to the end of the tail. The width is measured from edge to edge on the body of the tie.
Cable tie tensile strength
Given in kilograms, cable tie tensile strength measures the resistance, or weight, that a cable tie will bear safely, without the material breaking. Loop tensile strength is the amount of weight required to compromise a fastened cable tie. The loop tensile strength can be found in the technical data sheets for our nylon cable ties and our metal cable ties.
Cable tie materials
At Cableties-online, all our non-stainless steel cable ties are manufactured from nylon 6/6, a durable polyamide. All our metal cable ties are manufactured using only 316 marine grade stainless steel. The science and the technical specification of our cable ties can be found in our article ‘What are cable ties made of?’
What are the strongest cable ties?
In terms of minimum tensile strength, stainless steel, metal cable ties are the strongest with a 4.6mm wide tie having a tensile strength of 89kgs, rising to 1160kgs for a 7.9mm wide tie.
The following table illustrates the tensile strength of a selection of our most popular cable ties.
Type of cable tie | Size | Tensile strength (kg) |
Nylon cable ties | 80mm x 2.5mm | 8 |
| All other 2.5mm | 8.1 |
| All 3.6mm wide | 18.2 |
| All 4.8mm wide | 22.2 |
| All 7.6mm wide | 54.4 |
| All 9mm wide | 79.4 |
| All 12.7mm wide | 114 |
UV & heat stabilised cable ties | All 2.5mm wide | 8 |
| All 3.6mm wide | 18 |
| All 4.8mm wide | 22 |
| All 7.6mm wide | 55 |
| All 9mm wide | 80 |
| All 12.7mm wide | 114 |
Stainless steel cable ties | All 4.6mm wide ties | 89 |
| All 7.9mm wide ties | 160 |
Our coloured cable ties share the same tensile strengths as our nylon 6/6 ties and our epoxy resin and PVC-coated cable ties have the same strength as our metal cable ties.
Using cable ties with insufficient tensile strength i.e. that are not strong enough for your needs, is of utmost importance in all situations. While metal cable ties are the strongest on the market, they may not be the best for your project. If you would like any advice on the correct cable tie for your needs, please get in touch. Our sales team can be contacted by phone on 01623 412160 or by email at sales@cableties-online.co.uk
FAQs
In terms of minimum tensile strength, stainless steel, metal cable ties are the strongest with a 4.6mm wide tie having a tensile strength of 89kgs, rising to 1160kgs for a 7.9mm wide tie.
What is the strongest cable tie? ›
In terms of minimum tensile strength, stainless steel, metal cable ties are the strongest with a 4.6mm wide tie having a tensile strength of 89kgs, rising to 1160kgs for a 7.9mm wide tie.
What is stronger than zip ties? ›
Stainless steel cable ties are a great alternative to plastic zip ties. They are strong, durable, and long-lasting, making them perfect for securing heavy loads or organizing cables. Unlike plastic zip ties, stainless steel cable ties can be reused over and over again, reducing waste.
What color zip ties are the strongest? ›
What sizes do zip ties come in and what are the strongest zip ties?
- Standard Nylon Zip Ties (Black, white and colored zip ties have the same tensile strength and bundle diameter)
- Releasable / Reusable Nylon Zip Ties (Black, white and colored releasable zip ties have the same tensile strength and bundle diameter)
Heavy duty zip ties (aka “cable ties”) usually hold between 120 and 175 pounds. Some of the strongest zip ties can handle up to 350 pounds. This is the tensile strength of zip ties, or the maximum load it can support when stretched before breaking.
What is the best material for cable ties? ›
Nylon 6/6, the grade most often used for cable tie production, meets UL 94V-2 flammability ratings. Its working temperature range is from -40° F to 185° F. Heat Stabilized Nylon 6/6 is used in continuous or extended exposure to high temperatures (up to 257° F).
Is chain or steel cable stronger? ›
Strength, Load Capacities, and Work Environments
Overall, wire rope is stronger than chain.
What is a stronger alternative to cable ties? ›
Compared to a traditional nylon cable tie, the rapstrap is made from elasticated polyurethane, meaning sharp edges and snagging sides are a thing of the past. It comes in tear-off sheets of six and the binding can be pulled to whatever grip is required, as well as being completely resistant to any oils or fuels.
How strong are police zip ties? ›
XTREME™ Zip Ties are used by many Law Enforcement & Corrections agencies to secure and transport suspects quickly and safely, providing a strong tamper resistant hold. The original XTREME™ Zip Tie is a rubber-based polymer zip tie with a tensile strength of 250-300 lbs. plus.
What are military grade zip ties? ›
Military-Specified cable ties or Mil-Spec cable ties conform to the Military Specification #3367. All are manufactured by quality domestic manufacturers. Mil-Spec cable ties are available in a wide variety of lengths, strengths, and colors and conform to military specifications.
There is no difference between zip ties and cable ties.
Made from materials like nylon, polypropylene, stainless steel or other specialised materials, they are crucial for electrical engineers, offering adjustable, secure bundling to meet diverse tensile and environmental requirements.
What is the weight limit for cable ties? ›
The Most Common Zip Tie Tensile Strengths.
Miniature Cable Ties have a tensile strength of 18 lbs. Intermediate Cable Ties have a 40 lb. tensile strength. Standard Cable Ties have a 50 lb.
Do black zip ties last longer? ›
Black was the color of the cable ties we used outdoors, 40+ years ago, and black it still is. For all the same reasons Telephone cables are black. The material they are made of is designed to survive outside forever, or as close to forever as practical. Other colors are made of other materials.
How much force does it take to break a cable tie? ›
UV And Heat Stabilised Cable Ties
| Tensile Strengths |
|---|
| All 4.8mm wide | 22kg |
| All 7.6mm wide | 55kg |
| All 9mm wide | 80kg |
| All 12.7mm wide | 114kg |
3 more rowsMany adult humans might be able to snap Intermediate zip ties with some effort, but the Extra Heavy Duty cable ties wouldn't give nearly as easily. It's also worth noting that these aren't even the strongest zip ties out there, as custom-made ones can be made even stronger!
How tight should cable ties be? ›
How tight should a cable tie be? Finger tight. A bad example, notice the cables being deformed. Most consultants will refuse to sign off on a cable system if they see this, even if the test results show a pass.
What is the strongest type of wire rope? ›
Compacted varieties of crane wire rope provide increased fatigue resistance, strength, stability, and abrasion resistance. Often considered the strongest wire rope on the market, these types of wire rope are perfect for mining, industrial, construction, logging, and oilfield applications.
What is the strength of a cable tie loop? ›
Mechanical Strength – Cable Ties
Traditional loop 1 tensile strength ratings: 18 lbs., 30 lbs., 50 lbs., 120 lbs., and 175 lbs. are most common although other ratings may be declared.
Can cable ties break? ›
While cable ties are generally versatile and reliable, they can be affected by extreme temperatures: Brittle in Cold Temperatures: Nylon cable ties, the most common type, can become brittle and more prone to breakage in extremely cold temperatures.
