Tefzel® (ETFE) cable ties – Use & properties

These cable ties are made of ETFE (an abbreviation of ethylene-tetrafluorethyleen copolymer). This is a copolymer of ethane and tetrafluoretheen. It is a thermoplastic polymer with very good thermic, mechanical, electrical and chemical properties. ETFE was first brought onto the market in 1972 under the brand name Tefzel® and is currently mostly known under this name. But when do you use a cable tie made of Tefzel®? And which options do you have in choosing a Tefzel® cable tie? You will find the answer to those questions in this blog!

For what applications are Tefzel® cable ties used?

Cable ties made of Tefzel® (ETFE) are resistant to a lot of aggressive chemicals, such as acids and organic solvents, and are resistant to radiation and extreme temperatures up to 150 °C. In addition, Tefzel® cable ties have excellent resistance to wear. Due to these properties, these cable ties are often used in extreme environments in extreme conditions – such as environments where radiation as a threat (nuclear power plants for example), of where the cable tie is exposed to chemicals, gamma rays, UV radiation or extremely high and extremely low temperatures.

Different Tefzel® cable ties: the brand WKK versus Ty-Rap®

WKK offers Tefzel® cable ties of two brands: the own WKK brand and the widely known Ty-Rap® brand. A number of important differences:

The price:

• Ty-Rap® Tefzel® cable ties cost (length 92 mm, width 2,3 mm – the smallest version) € 59,23 excl. VAT per 100 pieces
• WKK Tefzel® cable ties cost (length 100 mm, width 2,5 mm – the smallest version) € 20,09 excl. VAT per 100 pieces

The maximum operating temperature:

• Ty-Rap® Tefzel® cable ties can resistant a constant temperature of 170 °C
• WKK Tefzel® cable ties can resistant a constant temperature of 150 °C

The closure:

• Ty-Rap® Tefzel® cable ties have a plastic closure with a stainless steel locking barb
• WKK Tefzel® cable ties have a plastic closure with a plastic locking barb

The colour:

• Ty-Rap® Tefzel® cable ties have a lighter colour (light blue) than WKK Tefzel® cable ties – WKK Tefzel® cable ties have a colour which is a bit darker

Due to the cable ties of Ty-Rap® and WKK® both being made of Tefzel®, the properties of the cable ties of both brands have the same properties with regards to chemical resistance and resistance to radiation. The difference is therefore mostly focused on the operating temperature that the cable ties can resist and the difference in price; these are often the most important factors when choosing WKK Tefzel® cable ties on one hand, and Ty-Rap® Tefzel® cable ties on the other hand.

View our full range of Tefzel® cable ties here!