Our latest guide takes a deep dive into stainless steel cable ties, looking at what they are made from, how strong they are, and exactly who uses them.
What are stainless steel cable ties?
As their name suggests, they are made from stainless steel, but there are different grades of stainless steel, which impact the cable tie’s properties. Most of the metal cable ties in today’s market are manufactured from 304 stainless steel which contains chromium and nickel. At cableties-online, our metal cable ties are manufactured with marine-grade 316 stainless steel which benefits from 2% molybdenum. Molybdenum is a metal used to give greater hardness, resistance to high temperatures, as well as resistance to chlorine corrosion and pitting.
How strong are stainless steel cable ties?
Stainless steel are the strongest of all cable ties, and the most durable. The tensile strength of any cable tie is measured in kilograms, indicating how much weight a cable tie can safely bear before breaking. So, a cable tie with a tensile strength of, for example, 8kg will break if it is used to carry weights in excess of 8kg. Available in 9 lengths and two widths, our metal cable ties have a tensile strength as follows:
|
Size of metal cable tie |
Tensile strength |
|
4.6mm wide (all lengths) |
89kg |
|
7.9mm wide (all lengths) |
160kg |
Who uses stainless steel cable ties?
Their unique features and exceptional strength make stainless steel cable ties indispensable in many industries and areas of manufacturing.
- The European automotive industry is at the top of the league in the use of metal cable ties, as they are fully able to cope with petrol, grease and oil, and offer great heat resistance.
- Mining industries – marine-grade stainless teel cable ties are ideal for use where they will be exposed to harsh environmental conditions, extreme temperatures, and chemical corrosion.
- Construction – since 2015 in the UK, the HSE has accepted stainless steel cable ties as being suitable for securing mesh panels in scaffolding, as they exceed the recommended 75kg minimum tensile strength. For securing scaffolding netting and sheeting, our 4.8mm wide X 300mm nylon 6/6 cable ties are available in packs of 100 with volume discount for bulk purchases.
- Manufacturing - suitable for securing the heaviest of plant machinery against damage from vibration in transit, metal cable ties are also used in HVAC systems where they will not perish over time, or give off harmful gases.
How to use stainless steel cable ties
At cableties-online, our stainless steel cable ties have a unique roller-ball locking system, featuring a ball bearing which tightens and secures the tie when it is tensioned, to produce a non-releasable locking system. It can be difficult to secure metal cable ties sufficiently by hand or to achieve consistency across several ties. Cable tie installation tools are advised which not only secure the tie but also remove the surplus, leaving no sharp edges. A heavy duty installation tool is also available.
Stainless steel cable ties from cableties-online
Our metal cable ties are made from 316 marine-grade stainless steel and comply in full with the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations (BS7671) which came into force on January 1st 2019. Metal cable ties should not be allowed to come into contact with galvanised steel as a reaction can occur and where this is a possibility, coated stainless steel cable ties are recommended.
To discuss any aspect of stainless steel cable ties or to make trade enquiries, please email us at sales@cableties-online.co.uk or call our sales team on 01623 412160.
