What has traveled as far as Mars, has billions of units produced yearly, and even has a day dedicated to it? That’s right, zip ties! On June 24th, you can celebrate National Zip Tie day by fastening things together with these beloved gadgets. But zip ties are more than just a fun gizmo for household use—many industries rely on these tiny strips of nylon or metal to hold together their vital components. With a name like ZipTie.com, we thought it was time to put together the ultimate guide to zip ties so we can share our inside knowledge of these fun and useful tools.
Yes, cable ties and zip ties are the same thing. Whether you call it a cable tie, zip tie, zipper tie, wire tie, wire wrap, hose tie or even mouse/rat belt, you’ll still end up with a handy and functional item that will help you corral anything that needs to be secured.
So, what is the difference between cable ties and zip ties? Nothing! It’s just what you choose to call it. Some people may point to a “cable tie” being used specifically for cables while a zip tie can be used for a multitude of things, but that is a personal preference. For this ultimate guide from ZipTie.com, we’ll use both “cable tie” and “zip tie” interchangeably.
A lot of our competitor's cable ties are made of a cheaper resin called Nylon 6. We use a resin called Nylon 66. Our ties test to UL standards and work down to -40 degrees so they can be used in the harshest environments. In addition, we're one of the few places where you can order a freight car worth of zip ties by just calling our phone number and getting connected directly with a salesperson. We don't make you jump through any hoops to get a quote.
Maurus C. Logan invented the first cable tie in 1958. Two years previously, he toured a Boeing aircraft plant. He noticed that the workers were injuring their fingers due to the waxed nylon cord they hand-tied to hold together electric cables. His engineer’s brain started turning—there had to be a better way. After two years of research and development, Logan created the first self-cinching cable tie.
The first cable ties were manufactured in 1958 by Thomas & Betts under the brand name Ty-Rap. While the first iteration was a brand name, zip ties quickly became a common, unbranded tool due to their many uses.
Logan’s initial version of the cable tie was made just for that purpose—tying together electrical cables. Due to the massive size of airplane cables, they were made out of metal. In the following years, manufacturers started using nylon and plastic to improve on the design and make cable ties with different strengths, colors, and lengths for a variety of applications.
No, “zip tie” is not a brand name. This name originates from the “zzzzz” sound that the cable tie makes when tightening it. There are several brand names for zip ties, but the term zip tie is a generic one.
The history of cable ties is one of innovation for practical solutions. Here at ZipTie.com, we follow this tradition with cable ties and wire management solutions that are highly customizable to fit your unique needs.
Many types of cable ties can be made from assorted materials with a few variations on the basic design. This basic design generally includes three parts:
Types of cable ties you’ll find on ZipTie.com include:
Another way you can categorize cable ties is by length, color, or pack size. Here at ZipTie.com you can:
Shop by length:
Shop by color:
Shop by pack size:
Essentially, if a cable tie meets certain criteria laid out by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), or CSA in Standard 62275, they will be marked with the appropriate designation. Have you ever seen a product marked as “UL type 21s cable ties” or maybe you’re wondering, “W are Type 2S cable ties?” These are referring to the cable tie classification system.
You’ll usually see cable ties marked as Type 1, 11, 2, 2S, 21, or 21S if they meet these standards for testing. These classifications help people know if the cable tie they select is appropriate for their application. For example, Type 2S and Type 21S are usually suitable for securing and supporting conduits and cables in building construction. Other types will probably not meet the building codes that the construction industry is required to follow.
At ZipTie.com, you’ll find cable ties that fall into every one of these categories so you can select the right type for your job.
Zip ties that are made out of metal are typically the strongest. However, just because you have access to heavy duty zip ties, doesn’t necessarily mean they are the right type for the job. When selecting a zip tie for your application, it’s important to consider if you really need that much power. Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions about large heavy duty zip ties to understand how strong these zip ties are and why you might select them. To learn more about heavy duty zip ties, visit our blog “How Much Weight Can Heavy Duty Zip Ties Hold?”
Most manufacturers will put the weight limit in the product description. The way that manufacturers determine the strength of each material is by testing the tensile strength. This is the amount of weight the cable can withstand before breaking. For most cable ties, the weakest point is the head, where the locking mechanism is. When there is too much tension on the tie, the shank breaks, and the zip tie fails.
In order to test the tensile strength of the cable ties, they are zipped closed and placed on two semi circles, just how they are designed to be used. These semi circles then move away from each other, stretching the cable tie and applying weight until it breaks. The machine measures the amount of force it takes to break the tie, and that is the number the manufacturer puts on the product description. Here at ZipTie.com, we rigorously test all of our cable ties to make sure they are meeting our exacting standards.
As discussed above, the strongest zip ties will have the strongest head or locking mechanism. Metal zip ties are typically the strongest, since the shank is made out of metal and is able to withstand more force.
Yes, metal zip ties are typically stronger than plastic. Metal zip ties are commonly made out of stainless steel. In addition to being able to withstand more force than nylon, stainless steel can tolerate higher temperatures, radiation, and vibrations than nylon. However, nylon can be blended with other materials to enhance its strength.
Here at ZipTie.com, our strongest metal zip tie is a 26.7-inch UV resistant stainless steel cable tie with 350-lb tensile strength. There are some custom-manufactured metal zip ties that can withstand up to 800 pounds! If you are searching for a custom strong metal zip tie, contact us today.
Our nylon zip ties range from small zip ties that are 5 inches and can withstand 18 pounds to zip ties that can hold 175 pounds. The weight that a plastic zip tie can hold will depend on the size and manufacturer specifications. Be sure to check the product description to select the correct cable tie for your application.
Cable ties are generally considered to be “heavy duty” when they can withstand 120 pounds or more of force. Each manufacturer will have a different designation for which zip ties qualify as “heavy duty,” so it is important to check the product specifications for the exact tensile strength.
It depends—it could be because you have secured them improperly, or it may be a case where you’ve chosen the incorrect zip tie material for the application. For example, a nylon zip tie may get brittle and break easily when exposed to the dry, cold winter air. For this reason, you may want to select a different material for your zip ties if they will be in these types of conditions.
Most large zip ties are considered heavy duty and should be over the 120-lb tensile strength mark. However, their tensile strength will vary depending on the material and size of the cable tie.
Here at Ziptie.com, you can shop by strength to find the perfect cable tie for your situation:
Yes, a cable tie is a tool that many industries rely on daily. In fact, there are so many cable tie uses that it would be impossible to list them all! While cable ties uses in the computer industry are one of the most obvious applications, we’ve decided to highlight a couple interesting use cases so you can understand just how versatile these tools truly are.
From tree farms to cannabis operations to construction, heavy duty zip ties can often be found in the great outdoors. Often used for securing branches, fences, and other outdoor uses, cable ties are an adaptable and hardy tool for outdoor applications. At the construction site, you’ll often see heavy duty zip ties used for fencing or to temporarily hold materials in place before they are permanently secured.
That’s right, your favorite sport probably uses zip ties! Here at Ziptie.com, we’re the proud supplier of many different sports centers. Small cable ties are often used for securing sports netting, banners, windscreens, and other entertainment paraphernalia.
As you can see, zip ties have a wide variety of uses and can be applied to virtually any industry. However, you may find yourself asking, “What can I use instead of a zip tie?” While you can come up with a MacGyvered “fix,” the truth is that simply using a zip tie will probably be the stronger, safer solution.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to list an exact cable tie price. It will vary depending on the material, size, width, and quantity you order. If you look up “zip ties Lowes” or “zip ties Home Depot,” you’ll quickly notice how different the prices are and how expensive it is to order zip ties in bulk through common retailers.
If you’re trying to purchase bulk zip ties through a manufacturer, you’ll also find that it’s difficult, as many vendors don’t provide upfront pricing transparency. We do things differently here at ZipTie.com. Whether you’re searching for bulk long zip ties, black zip ties, wide zip ties, or any other criteria, you can view our prices on our website. You’ll notice that most of our zip ties have a price per pack and an individual price, as well as savings per unit when you order in bulk.
When searching for a cable tie provider, it’s important to evaluate the vendor’s catalog, materials, customer service, and ability to deliver the quantity you need. High quality cable ties are important tools you rely on for your work. Here at ZipTie.com, our cable ties are made from US materials like nylon 6/6 or stainless steel. We offer UL-Listed and UV Resistant, as well as a wide range of options so you can find your exact cable tie material specification.
We offer a guarantee that we’ll replace or refund your order if there are any issues—because our comprehensive in-house testing ensures the quality of our products. And, with our stable inventory and fast shipping, we can get you as many zip ties as you need right when you need them. Explore our cable tie offerings or give us a call today (+1-855-947-8433 between 8:30 AM—5:30 PM EST) to talk with us about your exact needs—we’re looking forward to partnering with you!