Are Cable Ties Waterproof? (Everything You Need to Know) | Shangbo

Are cable ties waterproof? It’s one of the most common questions we get from contractors, engineers, site managers, etc. before investing in a product. As with all things in materials specification, the answer is, it depends on the cable tie.

The common nylon 66 used in cable ties from a basic supplier is a hard and economical thermoplastic, which is suitable for most applications due to its moisture resistance. However, there is a difference between a material that can take occasional rain and one that is actually engineered to perform in a continuous and long-term wet environment and getting that wrong is one of the most common specification mistakes we encounter everywhere from construction to marine, electrical to outdoor, and it’s all too easy to get right.

You’ll be able to get a full, honest answer to the waterproof question in this guide, including how the various cable tie materials react to water, what cable ties that are waterproof really mean, and how to pick the right product for your particular environment. When you’re finished, you’ll be ready to make a confident, correct decision.

The Short Answer: Water Resistant, Not Waterproof — Unless You Specify Correctly

While standard nylon cable ties are water resistant, they are not waterproof in all respects. Nylon does not corrode or rust, and neither will it dissolve nor immediately break down when it comes into contact with water. In this regard, a regular nylon tie will hold up fairly well in the event of a rain, splashes, or brief exposure to water.

But, nylon is also hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs moisture from its surroundings. With extended exposure over time the nylon undergoes a slight change in mechanical properties, including stiffness and tensile characteristics. More critically, standard nylon is degraded much more rapidly outdoors under UV radiation, moisture and temperature cycling, which is essentially what occurs at any outdoor installation.

For continued performance in water, salt spray, chemical wash-down and even immersion, specific materials must be used: UV-stabilised nylon designed to be more resistant to weather conditions, Nylon 12 (PA12) which is more moisture resistant, special polymer materials such as PVDF for the most extreme environments or stainless steel for permanent wet installations. The ordinary Nylon 66 tie in the standard hardware bag is not that one.

How Water Affects Nylon Cable Ties Over Time

When nylon is exposed to water for a long period of time, it helps to understand the material level implications of the water resistance of nylon for outdoor cable tie.

Moisture Absorption and Dimensional Change

Nylon absorbs water from the environment around it, called “moisture equilibration”. In dry indoor conditions, this happens slowly and the effect on mechanical properties is negligible. When there is regular rainfall or high humidity in an outdoor environment, moisture absorption is faster and more significant. Nylon absorbs water and its tensile strength is modified, not so much reduced as it is changed — not too much, and not so much that it won’t provide the strength required in a precision application.

The larger problem is what occurs when it dries and re-wets. The material experiences a micro-stress when the cable tie is repeatedly applied and removed over months and years, especially at the locking head and at the strap root of the cable tie which is the highest stress point in any cable tie. This is a breakdown of the nylon that occurs over time, even before it shows any sign of failure.

The combined effect of UV radiation and moisture.

As with most things, moisture and UV attacks don’t just add up, they multiply. UV degrades the polymer chains in nylon, and moisture hastens the process by absorbing through the surface and into the material where it can cause oxidative degradation. The outdoor cable tie that is wet and subjected to UV exposure will wear out much more quickly than the outdoor tie that is only wet or only exposed to UV.

This is the case in most outdoor construction, garden, marine and electrical projects and the common nylon tie that works very well in an indoor environment simply will not make the grade in an outdoor setting. In our experience, nylon ties placed in direct outdoor environments lose some of their softness and become brittle after 6 months to 12 months. The alternatives that are UV-stabilised will continue to be reliable for 5-10 years in the same conditions.

Salt and Chemical Exposure in Wet Environments

In coastal, industrial areas water exposure is not clean rain water but salt spray, chemical wash down or contaminated run-off. Ordinary nylon has moderate resistance to chemicals, but salt water speeds up degradation of the surface and — more importantly when used in metal parts — can cause corrosion on any locking mechanism or fastener that is made from metal. The stainless steel 316 is the right material for marine and coastal waterproof zip tie applications because it is specially formulated to meet the challenge of chloride-induced corrosion, which over time would cause degradation and failure of other materials and standard polymers.

Which Cable Ties Are Truly Waterproof?

UV-Stabilised Nylon 66 — Weatherproof for Most Outdoor Applications

UV-stabilised Nylon 66 is the right answer for most outdoor weatherproof cable tie applications from electrical installations, construction sites to garden and landscaping, outdoor signage and general use outside cable management. These ties are produced using UV absorbers and antioxidants incorporated into the nylon resin that greatly retard photo-oxidation and water-driven breakdown of the nylon that occurs in outdoor environments.

Nylon ties are waterproof, but only in the sense that they don’t win in the rain table tennis; they will still pick up water, but in the outside world years not months. For outdoor and weatherproof use, look to the Browse UV-Resistant Cable Ties — engineered for outdoor and weatherproof use.

Nylon 12 (PA12) — Superior Moisture Resistance for Demanding Environments

Compared to normal Nylon 66, nylon 12 retains a much lower amount of moisture, some four to five times lower. That is why PA12 is the preferred choice for use when moisture contact is anticipated continuously: automotive external wiring, adjacent equipment in marine applications, cold-chain and refrigeration applications, and in any application where moisture contact would be expected repeatedly and would stress traditional nylon.

PA12 is also more flexible in cold and wet weather conditions than PA66, which becomes brittle at −40°C. In cold climate and wet conditions, PA12 is an ideal specification as it tackles both the temperature and moisture issues in one go for outdoor usage.

Stainless Steel — The Definitive Solution for Permanent Wet Installations

In a permanent or structural installation, or where the installation must withstand continuous exposure to moisture, salt, chemicals, stainless steel cable ties are the right and appropriate solution. Stainless steel is free of moisture, will not corrode in normal outdoor conditions and is not affected by the UV radiation that can damage polymer ties.

Grade 304 stainless is suitable for most outdoor and industrial wet conditions. Grade 316 has molybdenum added to the alloy, significantly improving resistance to chloride corrosion making it the recommended grade for marine installations, coastal structures and any location where salt water spray is a common occurrence. For more information about Stainless Steel Cable Ties, check out the following: Explore Stainless Steel Cable Ties — Grade 304 and 316 available.

The main benefits of stainless steel for wet permanent applications is not only its resistance to water, but its resistance to corrosion, high tensile strength and service life of forever. Correctly installed correctly, a stainless steel tie will still be functioning in twenty years time when a nylon alternative would have been replaced several times during that period.

PVDF and Specialist Polymer Ties — For Extreme Wet and Chemical Environments

Specialist polymer materials like PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride, otherwise referred to as Kynar and Tefzel) offer the greatest chemical, UV and water resistance of any cable tie material for the most demanding applications including offshore platforms, chemical processing facilities, environment where harsh solvents or acids are used, and subsea installations. They are premium products for applications where the standard nylon materials are not up to environmental requirements and come at a higher price than standard nylon.

Water Resistance Comparison: Cable Tie Materials at a Glance

Use this table to quickly compare how different cable tie materials perform across the key water-related performance criteria:

Waterproof Cable Ties by Environment: What to Use and Why

It is important to consider the water resistant cable ties from the environment that they will be used in rather than from the product catalogue. Depending on the wet environment, there are different primary failure drivers: UV (outside electrical applications), salt (marine applications), chemical contamination (industrial applications), and the right product selection would depend on which of these is the most important to your application.

For the ten applications listed below, a cable tie type is recommended and the reason for the recommendation is provided in the table below. It is designed as a ‘how-to’ reference book for the specifier, contractor and engineer when specifying products for existing projects.

Getting the Most Out of Waterproof Cable Ties: Installation Guidance

The waterproof or weather resistant cable tie will not work as well if it is not installed correctly. While important, installation practice is also important, particularly when installing the tie in an outdoor or wet application where it will be exposed to long-term mechanical and environmental stresses.

The first and most important tip is to stretch the film correctly. If the cable tie is over-tightened, a concentration of stress will take place at the locking head; this is a lot more vulnerable to moisture induced fatigue and degradation under the sun’s UV rays than a correctly tensioned cable tie. It is much better to use the tensioning tool which is calibrated to the correct load for the tension, or to tension the hand by hand, rather than tugging a tie to the absolute limit and hoping it is correct.

The second is the correct sizing. If the narrow width of the tie is not matched by the load to be carried, it will result in the high local stress in a narrow contact area. A wider tie will spread out the stress, thus reducing stress levels at any one point, which is directly beneficial in areas where the tie already has to deal with stress, like outdoors and in wet areas, and will increase the tie’s lifespan.

A lot of people don’t even know how vital it is to have an orientation. The locking end of a cable tie is a ‘stress concentration’ and this will also be the most likely area of moisture ingress and localised degradation. When used on an exterior, the Tie Head faces down, away from rain, to reduce the moisture rate which can enter the mechanism. In a marine application, where this is not sufficient, there is no problem at all with stainless steel ties, as the water will not have an effect on the metal, but rather on the polymer.

Finally, if you are doing an outdoor, permanent installation, take into account establishing an effective inspection schedule as part of your maintenance plan. Nylon ties that are to be worn in environments with continuous moisture exposure, such as high UV exposure, should be checked once a year for UV stabilisation. If the tie has surface cracks, abnormal stiffness or colour change and brittleness, it is an indication that it is time to replace it before it fails.

How to Choose the Right Waterproof Cable Tie for Your Application

When determining the correct outdoor cable tie water resistance specification, you should consider four points, and working through them is a safe bet in nearly all instances.

The first factor is permanence. Where the tie is going to be accessible for future inspection and replacement, there is more scope for choosing materials: a nylon material that is UV-stabilised and which can be replaced every five years could be entirely suitable. From the start stainless steel is the answer when it is to be installed inside a structure, or underground, or in a position where it will be very expensive to replace it.

The second factor is the type of water exposure. Clean rain water, salt spray, chemical wash down and complete submergence are vastly different environments and they demand increasingly more resistant materials. Rainwater — UV-stabilised nylon. Slightly corrosive salt spray — stainless steel 316. Chemical exposure – special polymer or stainless steel 316. Full immersion, offshore or subsea – 316 stainless steel or PVDF.

The third aspect is load and tensile requirement. If the tie does not perform under the load before it does under the environment, then it is not waterproof! Always use a higher rating than you need, for instance if you use the tie outdoors, where dynamic load from wind and vibration contribute to the static load; always a higher rating rather than a lower one is recommended, with respect to the weight of the cable bundle.

The fourth factor is temperature. Often a wet environment is a cold environment and the combination of moist and cold environment enhances the nylon brittleness. Standard UV stabilised nylon 66 becomes less cold weather flexible at about −15°C to −20°C and is not suitable where frequent sub-zero temperatures and water exposure will be experienced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do normal nylon cable ties get wet?

Normal nylon cable ties are water resistant, but not 100% waterproof. They have good resistance to short-term exposure to moisture and will not rust or corrode, but will absorb moisture over time, which will impact their mechanical properties. Regular nylon cannot withstand the combination of water, UV radiation and temperature cycling as well as its degradation in other outdoor conditions.

Which are the best waterproof zip ties for outdoors?

In most outdoor applications, UV-stabilised nylon 66 cable ties prove to be the ideal compromise in terms of performance and price — they are UV-stable, do not deteriorate in the presence of moisture and will last 5-10 years in normal outdoor exposure. In applications requiring exposure to saltwater or chemicals, or permanent installations, stainless steel 316 is the ultimate outdoor waterproof cable tie. Shop UV Resistant Cable Ties.

Are cable ties suitable for underwater/fully immersed application?

Full-immersion and subsea applications should not use nylon cable ties. Nylon can withstand a short period of time underwater, but it will gradually deteriorate in saline water. PVDF ties are used in the most chemically challenging offshore applications and stainless steel 316 cable ties are the appropriate product for permanently submerged or subsea applications.

Are weatherproof cable ties different from the normal cable ties?

Not always — many weatherproof cable ties will actually look exactly like the traditional nylon tie. The difference lies in the formulation of the nylon resin which contains invisible to the naked eye UV stabilisers and antioxidants. Always refer to the product specification / data sheet, not by appearance only. A good manufacturer will label weatherproof and UV stabilised products accordingly.

Which color cable tie is more waterproof, black or white?

Carbon black pigment in the black cable ties reflects and dissipates the UV rays, making the tie more UV resistant than a natural tie or white tie. In an indirect way, black ties do better outside, because better UV resistance means that the tie is less likely to be compromised by photo-oxidation at the start of the high humidity season or a wet season. But this is not a true weatherproof when it comes to colour. For wet outdoor applications, use UV stabilised nylon in any colour, or stainless steel.

What’s the difference between water resistant and waterproof cable ties?

Most nylon cable ties are water resistant and will not break down immediately if they get wet. A waterproof cable tie is one that is able to withstand water exposure for its entire design life, or in continuous or extreme conditions. Stainless steel and high specification polymer materials such as PA12 and PVDF are examples of materials that are available to fulfil this higher specification. This is most important in permanent applications or those where safety is a critical factor or exposure is high, and ‘good enough for now’ is not a specification requirement.

How long will weatherproof cable ties last outdoors?

Outdoor weatherproof cable ties can last for a long time depending on the materials and environment. The typical life of UV stabilised nylon 66 in direct outdoor exposure is 5-10 years. The nylon 12 is comparable but has better cold and moisture resistance. Stainless steel 304 and 316 are the most commonly used materials for their time-tested durability and ability to resist corrosion outdoors in normal service conditions, and are an excellent choice for outdoor permanent installations where replacement access is limited or expensive.

Conclusion: Yes, Cable Ties Can Be Waterproof — If You Choose the Right One

Are cable ties waterproof? Yes – as long as the right material is selected for the environment. Standard nylon will handle normal moisture, but is not suitable for outdoor, coastal, marine, or chemically wet applications.

Fortunately, there is a proven effective solution for each level of water damage. Most outdoor electrical & construction applications are covered by UV stabilised nylon. Nylon 12 ensures enhanced moisture resistance for cold, wet or automotive conditions. For something permanent, marine adjacent or chemical demanding, stainless steel 316 is the professional solution. PVDF is the highest performing material on the performance chart for offshore and extreme-chemical applications.

Correctly doing this at the specification stage is minimal extra cost and huge time, labour and risk saving on an installation. There have been plenty of instances where the first cable tie bought was cheaper, and found no fault, but then staff were asked to make multiple trips to the site which resulted in failed inspections and safety issues that could have been prevented from the beginning with the correct cable tie.

Shop UV-Resistant Cable Ties — designed and tested for long-term outdoor and weatherproof performance.

Explore Stainless Steel Cable Ties — Grade 304 and 316 available for marine, industrial, and permanent wet-environment applications.