Thomas & Betts 7.31"l,black,pkg 100 Ty-rap Cable Tie [Misc.] [Misc.]

In 1958, Thomas & Betts invented the Ty-Rap cable tie for use in bundling wires during aircraft assembly. In 1963 they revised the original Ty-Rap by adding a metal barb, which began over 50 years of refinements resulting in the current incarnation. With few exceptions, other manufacturers (and T&Bs own lower end products) use a Nylon barb, which is more prone to age or stress related failure. More importantly, the Nylon barb is physical larger, so the cogs in the plastic strip are spaced further apart, resulting in a noticeably less precise tension adjustment. They go from too loose to too tight very quickly.

Imported nylon cable ties are simply inferior imitations of the original T&B Ty-Rap. You can feel the difference in the smoothness of ratcheting, precise tensioning adjustment, as well as the details in the build (if you look close, there are a lot) - rounded corners on the sides, the scaling on the entire bottom to provide more grip, the turned up tail to stand off flat surfaces, and the low profile tapered head which slides through restrictions and wires easily. The pliability of the high quality polymer results in a more flexible tie thats easier to work with. There are big differences between brands, try them side by side and you'll see what I'm talking about.

This particular product (7.31" Black") is probably the most commonly used size & color. The Black (part number suffix -X, i.e.: TY-525M-X) and other colored Ty-Raps (part number suffix -0, -1, -2, etc) are made of a UV resistant Nylon polymer direct or indirect exposure to sun. The lower priced "natural color" (p/n has no suffix, i.e.: TY-525M) is not UV resistant, and should only be used indoors with no exposure to sunlight, as UV will break the nylon down with time and weaken it, potentially to the point of failure.

For critical applications, go with the best. You won't regret it, especially at these sub-wholesale prices. Newark is offering this same TY-525MX pack for $21, "on sale" from the list price of $35.23.

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