Sterilization Test Report
Strong-Ty® · Technical resources
Effect of gamma radiation sterilization on the tensile strength of polymer cable ties.
Gamma sterilization testing
This study compares the tensile strength of cable ties before and after exposure to 32.3–40.8 kGy of gamma radiation.
Testing included Nile Polymers PVDF cable ties alongside polyethylene and nylon 6,6 cable ties. Five exposed and five unexposed samples of each type were evaluated.
At the tested dose, gamma radiation did not significantly change the immediate tensile strength of the tested polymers. Polyethylene changed by +2.6% and nylon 6,6 by −0.7%.
Sani-Tech West observed long-term failures in the irradiated non-fluorinated ties. The report does not identify separate failure rates for polyethylene and nylon or the time to failure; long-term tensile-strength loss was not investigated further.
Radiation exposure: Sani-Tech West and STERIS Isomedix Services. Tensile testing: University of Utah Materials Characterization Lab.
The report evaluates the specific tie designs and materials listed in the original document. Tensile-strength values should not be used to compare different cable-tie designs directly.