Banding

A cable tie isn't designed for use in demanding or industrial environments because it has limited tensile strength and degrades over time when exposed to heat, UV light, chemicals or vibration. In comparison, a steel banding strap is made from either type 304, or type 316 stainless steel, and is designed primarily for heavy-duty cable bundling, because it has higher levels of tensile strength, which enables it to maintain consistent pressure over prolonged periods of time, provides tighter tension and is resistant to extreme temperatures, UV exposure and mechanical stress.

The lifespan of a banding strap depends heavily on the type of steel it is made from, if it has a protective coating and the conditions it is exposed to.

Banding straps can be made from galvanised steel, which is essentially steel with a coating, such as zinc or PPA571, that acts as a barrier against moisture and slows down corrosion. This type of banding is OK to be used in normal outdoor conditions, away from salt and heavy industrial pollution. The zinc layer slows corrosion, but it is gradually consumed, so life varies with coating thickness and local conditions. Examples of zinc loss are shown below -

• Mild rural and low pollution environments (C2), zinc loss is up to about 0.7 microns per year.
• Urban and light coastal environments (C3), it is up to about 2.1 microns per year. 
• In harsher industrial or more saline conditions (C4), it is up to about 4.2 microns per year.

Stainless steel banding straps are used in the most demading environments, such as marine, coastal and chemical environments, because they are highly resistant to rust, chemicals, UV exposure and extreme temperatures. 316 stainless steel is typically chosen over 304 stainless steel in salt and chloride exposed environments, because it resists corrosion better, as highlighted by the British Stainless Steel Association. Stainless steel banding straps can also be coated with zinc or PPA571 to enhance their lifespan even further when used in exceptionally corrosive environments.

It should be noted that proper installation and correct tensioning will also play a part in the durability of a banding strap. Always follow manufacturers guidelines.

For most banding applications, a steel banding strap should be tensioned until the items in the bundle no longer shift or separate when lifted or handled. Ideally there should be no visible slack in the band and it should sit firmly against the load. However, the band should not dig into the surface, deform the materials or crush sensitive items in the bundle, such as cables or hoses.

Some banding straps are shielded from EMI (electromagnetic interference) or RFI (radio frequency interference) because they are used in environments where interference can disrupt sensitive equipment or compromise system performance. EMI and RFI are both forms of unwanted electrical noise, that can affect data transmission, signal integrity and the safe operation of electronic systems. Large bundles of cables often carry high-frequency signals or electrical currents, and if these cables are not properly shielded, they can act as antennas, emitting or picking up interference. EMI/RFI shielded banding straps are mostly manufactured from conductive materials like stainless steel, which helps maintain electrical continuity and grounding across cable bundles.

Industries where banding straps are commonly shieled from EMI and RFI include telecommunications, defence, data centres, rail, automotive, aerospace and power utilities.