Nylon cable ties are used in a variety of industries, including the automotive, aircraft, and petrochemical industries, so it’s vital to understand the temperatures they can withstand.
When discussing the ability of any material to withstand heat, we often use the phrases flame retardant and flame resistant but what do they mean and do they have a bearing on whether cable ties melt?
What does flame retardant mean?
Flame retardant refers to something that has been treated with a chemical that will react when the item comes into contact with flames to slow down (retard) the flame.
What cable ties are flame retardant?
At cableties-online, our standard cable ties are manufactured from nylon 6/6. They are flame retardant, meeting UL94V-2 flammability ratings and have a working temperature range of minus 40°C to 85°C (minus 40°F to 185°F)
What does flame resistant mean?
A flame resistant item will not be affected by flames and has the ability to withstand heat, therefore preventing the spread of fire.
What cable ties are flame resistant?
Our stainless steel cable ties are produced using 316 stainless steel which will tolerate temperatures up to 538°C (1000°F). this, coupled with the melting point of stainless steel 316 (1375-1530°C/2500-2785°F) makes them both fire retardant and fire resistant. Given the high melting point of stainless steel, metal cable ties are considered to be fireproof as there are so few situations where they would be exposed to temperatures in excess of this.
The melting point of nylon 6/6
Nylon 6/6 is a type of synthetic polymer, or plastic, known as a polyamide. It is widely accepted that the crystalline melting point (the point at which nylon melts and turns from a solid to a liquid) of nylon 6/6 is 265°C (509°F)
What is continuous service temperature?
Continuous service temperature – also referred to as maximum service temperature or Tmax – is the maximum temperature any material can function at before it experiences significant changes in its properties. In other words, continuous service temperature is an assessment of a material’s thermal stability. The continuous service temperature of nylon 6/6 is 99°C (210° F), so while it will not melt until it reaches a temperature of 265°C (509°F), its properties will be compromised at this much lower temperature, with the possibility of degradation or chemical change.
Are there other cable ties that will withstand high temperatures?
Where operating temperatures for nylon 6/6 cable ties will exceed 99°C (210° F), heat stabilised cable ties have a higher continuous temperature up to 125°C (257° F) and are a perfectly acceptable alternative that have the same tensile strength as standard ties.
At cableties-online, we appreciate that it can be challenging to ensure that you have the correct cable tie for your particular conditions, but it is essential that the cable tie you use will be up to the job. If you need any help or advice, our experienced sales team is available during normal office hours and can be contacted by telephone on 01623 412160 or email at sales@cableties-online.co.uk
