Cable ties are a staple to a lot of our home and garden organisation, but many of us assume that standard plastic zip ties are the only option out there for organising your cables, supporting your plants and securing structures.
However, this couldn't be further from the truth. There's a vast selection of cable ties you can use in and outside your home, including metal cable ties like stainless steel zip ties.
Using stainless steel cable instead of plastic zip ties is a great way to reinforce your structures and offer long-lasting support to your structures.
Interestingly, it's not just industrial professionals that can get the most use out of metal zip ties. Metal cable ties have a vast range of household uses in both indoor and outdoor environments.
We've compiled this complete guide to help you learn more about this cable tie. Today, we'll be discussing what stainless steel cable ties are, the two types of stainless steel ties you can buy from Trade Warehouse, and the benefits of using these items.
Stainless steel cable ties are similar to plastic alternatives; instead, they're made of stainless steel. Primarily, we use stainless steel cable ties for uses that require much more tensile strength, such as for heavy-weighted products.
Stainless steel is made from iron, carbon, chromium and nickel. Because of these ingredients, stainless steel is almost entirely corrosion-resistant, making it a super strong alternative to plastic ties. Like plastic zip ties, stainless steel ties have a self-locking attachment that gives users additional strength.
This works by using an internal ball that locks into place when users tighten the cable. Users can then take the tail and insert this into the locking system to secure this. You can then secure this using your hand.
Ordinarily, stainless steel ties are single-use, but don't worry if you're particularly eco-conscious! Because stainless steel is such a strong material, your cable tie will last a very long time, meaning you won't have to buy more and replace them like plastic zip ties.
Stainless steel ties are also recyclable, so that you won't be contributing to single-use pollution!
Although stainless steel cable ties are the overarching term, there are a few kinds of stainless steel ties that offer different levels of strength. Here's a guide to the different types of stainless steel cable ties you can find on Trade Warehouse's web page:
304 Grade
304-grade stainless steel is the most widely used out of the stainless steel options. It provides essential protection in all conditions and is ideal for protecting against corrosion in extreme weather.
The 304 grade is primarily made of high nickel quantities between 8 and 10.5%. The rest is made of other alloying materials like chromium, manganese, silicon and carbon. We usually cut 304-grade stainless steel for use in several household appliances. Here are some examples:
Piping
Household appliances, including refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens
Marine structures
Nuts, bolts and nails
316 Grade
316-grade stainless steel shares a lot of characteristics with 304 stainless steel. For example, both share a high level of chromium and nickel, and 316 stainless steel also uses silicon and manganese as alloying materials.
However, the two differ when it comes to chemical composition and weight. 316 stainless steel contains lots of molybdenum, in contrast to minuscule amounts traced in 304 stainless steel.
With the help of molybdenum, 316 stainless steel has very high corrosion-resistant properties, making this ideal for applications and environments likely to use lots of chemicals. Some examples of these uses include:
chemical processing warehouses
manufacturing industries
medical tools
Tools that require marine-grade materials to avoid chloride corrosion
You can also find polyester-coated 316 stainless steel cable ties. This essentially comes with a protective coating that can make your stainless steel cable even stronger and may be beneficial for structures that need installing outside in lower temperatures.
One of the key benefits of using a stainless steel cable tie instead of plastic is that they have many applications. Here are some examples of instances when you should opt for a stainless steel tie:
Extreme weather, like very low temperatures and blistering sunny spells, can wreak havoc on cable ties. After a while, ultraviolet rays from the sun start to degrade plastic cable ties, resulting in them becoming brittle and breaking.
Cold temperatures can also make cable ties very brittle; without flexibility, they will break over time. Stainless steel cables won't warp, rot or snap when exposed to harsh temperatures, making this the ideal material for outdoor applications.
So, if you're building a shed and need cable ties to secure structures, you should choose stainless steel cables.
You should always use metal cable ties if you're securing very heavy structures. Weighty objects will strain plastic cable ties, causing them to split or splinter over time. This could damage your structural integrity and jeopardise your safety and project progress.
You might want to reconsider your choices if you've got plastic cable ties currently bolstering your cable management strategy.
Electrical wires can produce a lot of heat, and while the protective coating around your wire masks some of this, over time, this may start to degrade. Exposing plastic cable ties to prolonged heat will warp and break the ties. Consider using a stainless steel tie for prolonged usage.
There are many benefits to using stainless steel cable ties instead of plastic alternatives. Here's a brief guide to what you stand to gain if you choose to switch:
One. of the dominating benefits of using stainless steel instead of plastic is that stainless steel is entirely resistant to corrosion, rust and staining. Corrosion can impact the tie's structural integrity and cause it to break over time, so this material offers users longer-lasting cable ties for indoor and outdoor uses.
Additionally, if you care about aesthetics, you won't need to worry about this material becoming discoloured over time. Stainless steel will always retain its brilliant shine, making it perfect for usage in the great outdoors.
Suppose you're planning to use stainless steel cable times in medical environments like doctor's offices and hospitals. In that case, you'll be pleased to know that this material is very easy to sanitise.
The material makes it difficult for germs to hide, so a quick wipe with an antibacterial solution will have your cable tie looking brand new.
Suppose you're working in laboratories, hospitals or manufacturing settings and are likely to come into contact with chemicals and deteriorating gases. You can rely on stainless steel zip ties to withstand these hazards and provide long-lasting strength.
Deteriorating gases can cause plastic cable ties to break over time, so using stainless steel instead of standard ties is a great way to secure your structures for longer.
If you're looking for a stainless steel cable for your project, you can shop our range at Trade Warehouse. We have a vast range of 304, 316 and polyester-coated ties that are perfect for all projects that need a little extra strength and endurance than plastic ties.
Not only do we offer incredible deals, but we also offer nationwide delivery for all items. That means everyone can get their hands on our incredible offers, no matter where you are!
At Trade Warehouse, we go to great lengths to satisfy your DIY needs and are committed to helping you take the items from your shopping cart and using them to start a project you're proud of.
To find out how we can help you, visit our web page today or contact us for more information.
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about metal ties:
Stainless steel cables are made from a combination of chromium, nickel, carbon and iron. There are also some other materials, like molybdenum, that make 316 stainless steel very strong.
Some of the key benefits of using this type of cable tie include the following:
corrosion resistance
durable
stain resistant
good for use with marine-grade materials
heat resistant
versatile uses
Stainless steel ties suit a vast range of uses, these include:
medical uses
marine maintenance
cable management
gardening
securing heavy loads in construction
With high quality products and considerate service, we will work together with you to enhance your business and improve the efficiency. Please don't hesitate to contact us to get more details of Heavy Duty Zip Tie, Stainlesss Steel Cable Ties.