In short: Ty-Rap is a cable tie brand created by Thomas & Betts, distinguished by a stainless steel locking barb in the head that grips the strap — instead of the moulded nylon pawl used by conventional ties. This gives a strong, vibration-resistant hold. Thomas & Betts, and the Ty-Rap brand, are now part of ABB Installation Products. Cable Ties Supply stocks Ty-Rap ties; orders over $99 ship free.

What Makes Ty-Rap Different

Ty-Rap Stainless Locking Barb: A small stainless steel element set in the locking head of a Ty-Rap cable tie that bites into the strap as it is tensioned. Unlike a conventional moulded nylon pawl, the metal barb grips firmly and resists loosening under vibration and temperature cycling.

Most cable ties lock with a moulded nylon pawl — part of the same plastic as the head. Ty-Rap’s signature design instead uses a stainless steel locking barb that grips the strap directly. The result is a hold that resists slipping under vibration and temperature change, which is why Ty-Rap built its reputation in demanding electrical and industrial work.

The strap itself is typically nylon 6/6, so Ty-Rap ties share the general temperature and handling characteristics of quality nylon ties while adding the metal-barb locking advantage. Confirm the exact specification of any given Ty-Rap part against the manufacturer datasheet before relying on it for a critical application.

Ty-Rap Product Range

Ty-Rap is a family of ties rather than a single product. Common variants:

Because product lines and part numbers change over time, treat this as a category overview and verify the current Ty-Rap range and specs against Thomas & Betts / ABB documentation.

Thomas & Betts and ABB

Thomas & Betts is a long-established American electrical products manufacturer and the originator of the Ty-Rap cable tie. Thomas & Betts became part of ABB, and the Ty-Rap brand now sits within ABB Installation Products. For buyers this means Ty-Rap is the same established product line, now under the ABB umbrella — a point worth stating plainly because the dual branding can cause confusion when searching or specifying.

Where Ty-Rap Is Used

Ty-Rap ties are specified where a secure, vibration-resistant lock matters: industrial machinery, electrical panels and switchgear, utilities, transportation, and outdoor or high-vibration environments. The stainless locking barb is the reason engineers reach for the brand in applications where a conventional nylon pawl might creep or release over time. For lighter, general bundling, standard nylon ties remain a cost-effective choice.

Conclusion

Ty-Rap earned its reputation on one idea — a stainless steel locking barb that grips the strap and holds through vibration and temperature change — backed by Thomas & Betts and now ABB Installation Products. Where a secure, lasting lock matters, it is a brand engineers trust; for light bundling, standard nylon ties remain economical.

Shop Ty-Rap and Thomas & Betts cable ties at cabletiesupply.com. Free shipping over $99, free returns. For specific part numbers or bulk pricing, call 866-455-8437.