What are the strongest zip ties on the market?

Zip tie strength is measured in loop tensile strength (LTS), which is the amount of weight that can be applied to a zip tie’s locking mechanism once it has been fastened. This is tested on a machine specifically designed for this purpose. The zip tie is closed and tightened onto the machine, which then slowly attempts to pull the zip tie apart until it eventually breaks. The amount of force required to break the zip tie is then recorded, and that weight limit is what is listed by most manufacturers. We at ZipTie.com rigorously test their cable ties to ensure that they consistently meet their standards.

We can categorize them into five primary ranges of strength:

• Miniature – 18 pounds
• Intermediate – 40-45 pounds 
• Standard – 50-75 pounds
• Heavy Duty – 120-175 pounds 
• Extra Heavy Duty – 200–350 pounds

Another thing to keep in mind is that zip ties come in different thicknesses and material types, which means the target numbers of force vary depending on the kind of tie, how thick it is, and what it’s going to be used for. This, of course, means that some ties are stronger than others. Automotive zip ties, for example, typically have an LTS range of anywhere from 18 to 250 pounds.

What Are the Strongest Cable Ties?

In general, metal zip ties are the strongest, though there are also some strong zip ties made of nylon. All heavy duty (and extra heavy duty) zip ties are specifically designed to be as strong and as durable as possible, though ones made of stainless steel can also withstand extreme temperatures, vibration and even radiation. On metal zip ties, the shank (typically the weakest part of the device) is made of metal, which greatly increases its capabilities. They can get pretty strong, too; at ZipTie.com, the strongest zip tie we have can withstand up to 350 pounds, and we can make custom ties that are even stronger! It’s also worth noting that while nylon zip ties are weaker than metal ones, they are still nothing to scoff at, as their tensile strength can reach up to 175 pounds.

Additionally, you can expect stainless steel zip ties to last quite a while. They typically can endure for about five years or more, barring any sustained extreme conditions or exceptional circumstances. If they’re needed in an outdoor setting, zip ties can also be made UV resistant to withstand continuous exposure to sunlight radiation, which can cause zip ties to lose flexibility and ultimately break.

What Are Metal Zip Ties Used For?

You likely won’t see metal zip ties being used around the house or in your office. That’s because they’re reserved for extreme environments and high loads—oftentimes outdoors, and oftentimes securing things like hoses or cables. They are used in many industries, including automotive, construction, electrical, or even offshore situations. Anywhere the conditions are hardy, the weight is heavy, and failure is not an option, metal zip ties are the best choice.

If you’re looking for a tough zip tie to fit a tough job, we’ve got you covered. We offer a wide selection of zip ties—both nylon and stainless steel—in a wide variety of colors and sizes up to 60 inches in length. We also offer same day shipping and expedited shipping options to ensure that you’ve got the strength and reliability you need, right when you need it.

With rigorous testing and quality control, we at Ziptie.com are confident in our products. If you’re looking to buy the best zip ties out there, explore our full line—including the strongest of the strong—or reach out to us at +1-855-947-8433 between 8:30 AM—5:30 PM ET to talk more about what you’re looking for.

How strong cable ties are depends on their size (length and width), what they are made from, their bundle diameter and their tensile strength. But what do all these things mean and exactly how strong are cable ties?

What is bundle diameter?

As the name implies, bundle diameter is the collective size of all the cable to be bundled together, measured in millimetres. To ensure your cable ties are sufficient for your bundle diameter, the length of the cable is important. If you are unsure, it is always recommended that you buy longer ties that can be trimmed to size. Cable tie length is measured (in mm) from the head or pawl of the tie to the end of the tail. The width is measured from edge to edge on the body of the tie.

Cable tie tensile strength

Given in kilograms, cable tie tensile strength measures the resistance, or weight, that a cable tie will bear safely, without the material breaking. Loop tensile strength is the amount of weight required to compromise a fastened cable tie. The loop tensile strength can be found in the technical data sheets for our nylon cable ties and our metal cable ties. 

Cable tie materials

At Cableties-online, all our non-stainless steel cable ties are manufactured from nylon 6/6, a durable polyamide. All our metal cable ties are manufactured using only 316 marine grade stainless steel. The science and the technical specification of our cable ties can be found in our article ‘What are cable ties made of?’

What are the strongest cable ties?

In terms of minimum tensile strength, stainless steel, metal cable ties are the strongest with a 4.6mm wide tie having a tensile strength of 89kgs, rising to 1160kgs for a 7.9mm wide tie. 

The following table illustrates the tensile strength of a selection of our most popular cable ties.

Type of cable tie

Size

Tensile strength (kg)

Nylon cable ties

80mm x 2.5mm

8

All other 2.5mm

8.1

All 3.6mm wide

18.2

All 4.8mm wide

22.2

All 7.6mm wide

54.4