Nylon-coated cables and wire ropes are trusted across industries for their durability, cost-effectiveness, and resistance to abrasion and corrosion. Available in an array of colors and textures to suit diverse applications, nylon-coated cables offer enhanced protection and versatility over traditional bare metal cables. While nylon-coated cables are not commonly employed in heavy lifting or hoisting, they excel in consumer goods and high-wear environments.
These cables have a durable nylon casing surrounding a wire rope core—a construction that provides flexibility for a wide range of mechanical applications, such as sheaves, pulleys, and other high-use environments. Nylon-coated cables can also tolerate temperature fluctuations and other demanding conditions over long periods of use.
Learn more about the benefits and applications of nylon-coated cables from Sandin Manufacturing.
Key Benefits
Nylon-coated cables provide several benefits that set them apart from other cables with plastic coatings, such as HDPE and polyethylene-coated cables. Here are some of the reasons manufacturers choose nylon-coated cables from Sandin Manufacturing:
- Abrasion resistance. The natural toughness of nylon minimizes damage from repetitive push-pull actions. This can extend cable lifespan by two to three times.
- UV protection. UV inhibitors in nylon protect cables from sunlight exposure, making them suitable for outdoor applications.
- Corrosion and chemical resistance. The nylon coating prevents rust and corrosion, even in harsh environments.
- Water resistance. Nylon acts as a barrier against water intrusion, preserving the integrity of the cable.
- Debris resistance. The smooth surface repels debris, ensuring a clean surface and smooth operation.
- Resistance to peeling and cracking. The coating withstands high-friction environments without cracking or peeling.
- Durability. Nylon outlasts PVC and vinyl with superior toughness and resilience.
- Color customization. Available in various colors, nylon-coated cables can meet specific aesthetic requirements.
These benefits make nylon-coated cables ideal for high cycle count applications.
Applications
Nylon coating is an ideal option for situations where protecting the cable is essential to meet the application’s requirements. Nylon protects cables against mechanical push-pull or pull-pull motions and prevents the plastic jacket from delaminating.
If an application uses pulleys to route the cable, a nylon coating will protect the inner wire from making direct contact with the pulley. For extra protection and flexibility, lubricants can be added between the cable and nylon coating. By reducing wear and preventing metal-to-metal friction, lubricated nylon-coated cables enhance performance and extend product lifespan. For example, nylon-coated cables are often used for sheaves and pulleys in flight control systems, offering robust protection against metal-to-metal contact.
Other specific mechanical applications that benefit from nylon-coated cables include:
- Commercial cable assemblies
- Lock-clad cable assemblies
- Medical applications
- Military assemblies
- Custom cable assemblies, such as exercise equipment
Nylon Coated Cables from Sandin Manufacturing
With over six decades of industry experience, Sandin Manufacturing is a trusted supplier of bare cables, coated cables, cable hardware, and custom mechanical assemblies. We extrude all coated cables in-house from our ISO 9001:2015 certified facility. Our expertise ensures precision, quality, and reliability for all products, regardless of order size.
Sandin Manufacturing specializes in extruding various jacketing types for wire rope, strand, and aircraft cable from .014″ to .625″ in diameter. We primarily offer galvanized steel and stainless steel coated cables. Adding a nylon jacket to your cable enhances its durability and longevity, and our custom coatings are available in a wide range of colors to meet the unique demands of your application.
Contact us today or request a quote to get started with your nylon-coated cable solution.