How Strong Are Zip Ties？— Comparison of Zip Tie Strength

Industry Applications

Release date: November 1, 2025 Reading time: 4 minutes

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1. What is Zip Tie Strength

Zip tie strength refers to the maximum load a zip tie can withstand before breaking. This metric is critical to ensure cables, pipes, or equipment are held securely without loosening. The most commonly used self-locking zip tie has its strength mainly determined by material type, strap width, and the design of the locking tooth. This article will guide you on how to choose the right high strength zip ties for your needs.

2. Main Factors Affecting Zip Tie Strength

1. Material differences
   The molecular structure, crystallinity, and moisture absorption of different plastics or metals directly affect the zip tie breaking strength.
2. Lock tooth design
   Nylon types use a “plastic tooth lock”, while metal types use “steel tooth locks” or a “ball-lock mechanism”; the latter tend to engage more securely.
3. Strap width and thickness
   Under the same material and environment, greater width and thickness increase the load-bearing area, and the zip tie tensile strength increases accordingly.
4. Environmental conditions
   High temperature, low temperature, and humidity can all weaken the strength of nylon-type ties; metal types are generally not affected.

3. Performance Comparison Table by Material

Performance Indicator	PE	PP	Nylon 6	Nylon 66	Stainless Steel
zip tie strength（MPa）	20–25	30–40	60–70	70–80	500+
Melting Point (°C)	105 ~ 135	160 ~ 175	215 ~ 225	255 ~ 265	1400 ~ 1510
Hygroscopicity	Very low	Low	Moderately high	Moderate	None
Weatherability (UV)	Low	Low	Fair	Good	Excellent
Corrosion Resistance	Good	Excellent	Fair	Fair	Excellent
Relative Cost	Low	High	Medium	Medium-high	High
Recyclability	Good	Good	Fair	Fair	Excellent

Conclusion:
Nylon 66 combines strength and heat resistance and is the most commonly used self-locking material; stainless steel is the material for super strong zip ties, suitable for extreme high-load and harsh environments; PP and PE are suitable for low-strength, corrosion-resistant scenarios.

4. Strength Grades by Zip Tie Type

Using Nylon 66 and 304 stainless steel as examples, different lock tooth designs also produce different cable tie tensile strength results.

Zip Tie Type	Material	Lock Tooth Design	tensile strength of cable ties	Typical Applications
Releasable Nylon Tie	Nylon 66	Press-release tooth lock	Lower cable tie strength, reusable	Frequent adjustments, temporary bundling
Self-locking Nylon Tie	Nylon 66	Nylon tooth self-lock	industrial strength cable ties — good toughness, moderate cost	Home appliances, general industrial cable management
Self-locking Nylon with Metal Teeth	Nylon 66 + Stainless Steel teeth	Stainless steel tooth lock	Higher cable tie breaking strength, impact and vibration resistant	Heavy machinery, high-load equipment, outdoor installations
Stainless Steel Ball-lock Tie	Stainless Steel 304	Stainless steel ball lock	extra strong cable ties — corrosion resistant, high-temperature tolerant	Marine, chemical plants, outdoor high-temp or corrosive environments

5. Standard Zip Ties Strength Reference Values (for widths 2.5 mm–12 mm)

For Nylon 66 under normal room-temperature and humidity conditions, tensile strength increases with width.

Type	Length	Width (mm)	Max. Bundle Dia. (mm)	Min Tensile Strength
WD-3x100MD	4″	2.5	22	18 lbs / 8 Kgs
WD-4x100MD	4″	3.6	22	40 lbs / 18 Kgs
WD-5x120MD	4.7″	4.8	24	50 lbs / 22 Kgs
WD-8x200MD	8″	7.6	50	100 lbs / 45 Kgs
WD-10x400MD	16″	9	105	175 lbs / 75 Kgs
WD-12x400MD	16″	12	105	230 lbs / 100 Kgs

6. Strength Changes under Different Environments

Environment	PP Cable Ties	Nylon Cable Ties	Stainless Steel Ties
High Temperature	tie wire strength drops significantly; softening and deformation occur	Short-term tolerance around 85–110°C, but long-term exposure reduces tie wire tensile strength due to thermal aging	Performance remains very stable; operational temperature up to 538°C
Low Temperature	Becomes noticeably brittle; impact resistance drops sharply and breakage risk increases	Nylon 66 can retain basic mechanical properties at -20°C but tends to be brittle; avoid impact	Strength may even improve; suitable down to -60°C
Humidity	Low moisture absorption; little effect on zip tie breaking strength	Absorbs moisture which can reduce tensile strength and stiffness but increase elongation and impact resistance	No effect; also prevents corrosion
Ultraviolet (UV)	Polymer chains break easily; rapid aging and embrittlement, reducing cable tie breaking strength	Long-term sun exposure leads to aging and a gradual decline in cable tie tensile strength; UV additives can improve resistance	Unaffected

7. Zip Tie Tensile Strength Test Standards and Methods

Common international standards:

• UL 62275 (Cable management ties standard)
• ASTM D4066 / ISO 527 (Plastics tensile testing)

Test procedure:

1. Sample preparation
   Randomly select zip tie samples, ensuring no pre-existing damage or deformation so results are representative.
2. Fixing and installation
   Secure one end of the tie in the tensile tester clamp and lock the other end onto a standard test rod to simulate actual bundling.
3. Uniform tensile load
   Start the machine and apply axial load at a constant speed until the sample breaks.
4. Data recording
   Accurately record the maximum strength of zip ties before breakage and note whether the lock tooth slipped.
5. Environmental testing
   Precondition samples in high/low temperature or chemical environments, then repeat tensile tests to evaluate performance retention.
6. Result analysis
   Compare test data with product specifications or industry standards to determine whether the strength grade meets requirements.

8. Selection Recommendations

1. For routine indoor fastening and household cable organization, economical PP ties or standard nylon ties are recommended.
2. For industrial equipment cabling and medium-load wiring inside cabinets, choose Nylon 66 industrial strength zip ties.
3. For long-term outdoor use, high mechanical vibration, or continuous high-tension loads, prefer nylon ties with metal lock teeth or stainless steel high strength cable ties.
4. For chemical plants, coastal, or high-corrosion/hygiene environments, prioritize 316 stainless steel ties.

9. Common FAQs

Q1: What is the difference between Nylon 6 and Nylon 66 ties?

A: Nylon 66 has higher strength, lower moisture absorption, and better heat resistance, making it suitable for industrial applications.

Q2: Are wider ties always stronger?

A: Under the same material and thickness, tie wire tensile strength is proportional to width in the same environment.

Q3: What width are High tensile strength zip ties typically?

A: Generally, tensile strength is proportional to width for the same material. Nylon cable ties commonly reach up to 12 mm width; stainless steel ties can reach up to 19 mm width.

Q4: Considering both strength and safety, which extra strength zip ties are most suitable?

A: Under comparable specifications and environments, stainless steel is the category that qualifies as extra strong zip ties and offers the highest safety margin.

10. Conclusion

Zip tie strength is mainly determined by material. For self-locking designs, Nylon 66 and metal-tooth nylon options provide the best cost-performance for high strength; if ultimate reliability is required, choose stainless steel ties. Proper material selection and correct usage are the keys to ensuring zip tie safety and performance.