Science of UV Resistant Cable Ties: What Makes Them Work So Well Material upgrades have changed the game for outdoor fastening solutions. Modern UV resistant cable ties use nylon and polyamide blends mixed with carbon black additives. These materials work together to create something that can stand up to sun damage much better than regular ties. When left out in direct sunlight for extended periods, standard cable ties usually start to break down pretty quickly. But the addition of carbon black actually soaks up those harmful UV rays before they can do serious damage. Field tests show that this simple modification makes a big difference in how long these ties last outdoors. We've all seen what happens to plastic items sitting in the sun too long right? They get brittle and eventually snap. The same thing applies to regular cable ties unless we treat them properly first. That's why many contractors now prefer these special versions for jobs that need reliable fastening without constant replacement.