We know about cable ties!

What are cable ties, and what are they used for?

KACAB has cable ties for you!

To begin with, KACAB’s cable ties are a type of semi-permanent fastening solution. A cable tie is another type of fastener used to hold objects together, primarily electrical cables or wires. Due to their relatively low cost and ease of use, they are found everywhere across a wide range of applications. They were originally used to bundle wiring in aircraft, but have since been adopted for many other purposes.
These products are mainly manufactured in plastic, usually nylon, although they are also available in stainless steel. Stainless steel ties, with or without coating, are often used outdoors and in demanding environments. Our metal-detectable ties are particularly common in the pharmaceutical and food industries as a result.

Cable ties – what are they?

Cable tie or strap also known as a cable tie is a type of fastener, to also hold objects together, that is, for example, electrical cables or wires.

Design and use

There are many different types and designs, but most follow the same basic principle: a strap with teeth on one side. At one end of the strap there is a locking head through which the strap is inserted. As the strap is tightened, a pawl inside the locking head rides over the teeth and prevents the strap from loosening. Lastly, this product is generally not intended for reuse.

A cable tie gun can also be used to apply a cable tie with a specific level of tension. To clarify, the tool can cut off the excess “tail” flush with the head, helping to avoid a sharp edge that could otherwise cause injury.

Extend the life even further

To increase resistance to ultraviolet light in outdoor applications, the nylon contains at least 2% carbon black. This provides maximum resistance to UV radiation and helps extend the service life of the cable tie.
Blue cable ties are supplied, among others, to the pharmaceutical and food industries and contain metal particles so that they can be detected by industrial metal detectors.
Stainless steel ties are also available with a plastic coating to prevent contact corrosion between different materials. Companies often use stainless steel ties in extreme environments involving, for example, high temperatures, acids, and similar conditions.
Ties made from ETFE (Tefzel) are used in particularly harsh environments where high temperatures are present. The horticultural industry sometimes also uses specially flexible ties, for example to secure plants to support stakes. Laundries and the garment industry, for instance, often seal their laundry or garment bags with sealable ties.
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When choosing a cable tie, you should ask yourself the following questions:

Length – how long does the band have to be to reach around what I specifically want to bundle?
Strength – does the cable tie need a specific tensile strength? Will it be used to secure something heavy?
Environment – will the cable tie be used in a particularly harsh environment, such as outdoors with UV exposure or in contact with chemicals?
Temperature – what is the ambient temperature where the cable tie will be used?

This is how we handle cable ties according to our Cable Ties guide

The quality of the cable ties is thus dependent on a number of surrounding factors. In part, the most commonly used material is Polyamide 66 (PA66) hygroscopically, which means that it absorbs and releases water. This in turn means that the cable tie is differently flexible at different water contents. In order to always have as good a cable tie as possible, it is important to store these in a suitable way. It is especially important not to leave an opened bag for a long time without using the straps. In addition, there is the risk that the water will disappear out of the bands and they can be perceived as more inflexible. This is especially true during the cold season.

Some storage tips!
Always store the cable ties in a sealed plastic bag.
Similarly, do not expose the ties to direct sunlight.
Finally, do not leave the ties too close to direct heat sources (radiators).

In summary, if you have questions regarding cable ties, contact KACAB Teknik AB first!