Standard Heat Shrink Tubing Materials and Required Temperature
- Polyolefin. It shrinks at temperatures of 100°C but can withstand up to 135°C.
- PVC. These shrinks consist of Polyvinyl chloride. ...
- Adhesive Lined Heat Shrinks. ...
- PTFE Heat Shrink Tubing. ...
- FEP Heat Shrink Tubing. ...
- Elastomeric Heat Shrink Tubing. ...
- PVDF Heat Shrink Tubing. ...
- Silicone Heat Shrink Tubing. ...
- Viton Heat Shrink Tubing. ...
What is a good temp to heat shrink at?
Which material of heat shrink tubing should you use?
- Polyolefin. Polyolefin heat shrink tubing is the most popular kind, and for good reasons. ...
- PVC. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) heat shrink is fairly similar to Polyolefin, but is a fair bit cheaper. ...
- Less common materials. Elastomeric heat shrink tubing stands out because of its flexibility, even at low temperatures down to -75°C (-103°F).
Can you use a lighter to shrink heat tubing?
You can also rub the tubing with the side of a soldering iron to shrink it, but be careful not to heat it too much since you could damage the wires underneath or make the tubing brittle. You may hold the tubing over the open flame of a lighter, but it won’t heat evenly and you may not have a perfect seal.
How to select the correct size of heat shrink tubing?
To choose the right tubing, you will need to know:
- Its shrink ratio. As mentioned above, a 2:1 ratio indicates that the tubing will shrink to approximately half its size when heat is applied, while a 3:1 ratio means that ...
- The thickness of the tubing walls. ...
- The ‘inside diameter’ (ID) of the tubing following shrinkage as well as its ‘expanded inside diameter’ (expanded ID) before shrinkage. ...
Does heat shrink tubing have a shelf life?
Shelf life: FIT Heat Shrink Tubing has a shelf life that ranges from 30 days to 25 years. This shelf life, which This shelf life, which depends on material type, is dictated by the AMS-DTL-23053 standard.
Will a hair dryer shrink heat shrink tubing?
Hair dryers, soldering irons, lighters and butane torches are all valid options for activating heat shrink tubing. They rarely give perfect results and are tedious to use, but they are better than nothing. Pay close attention to overheating, as this can cause heat shrink to degrade and become brittle.
What temperature does heat shrink withstand?
Their operating temperature range is -75 to 150 °C. The material is resistant to many chemicals (including diesel and petrol) and has good resistance to abrasion, even in severe environmental conditions.
At what temperature does PVC shrink?
About Heat Shrink Tubing and The Heat Shrink Tubing Temperature GuideProduct NameMaterialMinimum Shrink TemperatureHS-101-3xPolyolefin Heat Shrink Tubing212°FHS-105PVC Heat Shrink Tubing212°FHS-205Cross-Linked PVC Heat Shrink Tubing212°FHS-101-MW 2:1Polyolefin Adhesive Lined Heat Shrink Tubing250°F10 more rows•Jul 1, 2022
Can you use a heat gun for heat shrink tubing?
Evenly apply heat around the diameter of the tube by rotating the assembly or using a heat gun with a reflector. Continually move the heat gun back and forth to evenly shrink the tubing and avoid damaging your wires with too much heat.
How long does heat shrink tubing last?
30 days to 25 yearsShelf life: FIT Heat Shrink Tubing has a shelf life that ranges from 30 days to 25 years.
Can you overlap heat shrink?
Cut the heat shrink tubing to a usable length, and be sure to allow for a minimum 1/4" overlap over any existing insulation or connectors. Keep in mind that tubing also shrinks lengthwise… typically 5-7% during the shrinking process.
What can I use instead of heat shrink tubing?
What are Some Alternative Solutions to Heat Shrink Tubing?Tape wrapping – Wrapping bundles of wires using tape to create a wire harness.Dip coating – Dipping components into a liquid compound that will adhere and solidify creating a layer of protection on the dipped items.More items...•
How do you shrink tubes without a heat gun?
You can use a normal hairdryer as if it was a heat gun to activate your heat shrink. It will take a lot longer than using a heat gun, especially if you only have a basic hairdryer. Hold the hair dryer as close as possible to the heat shrink and crack it up to its hottest setting.
What can I use for heat shrink tubing?
Any commercial heat gun or heat shrink oven can be used to shrink the tubing. Since uncontrolled heat can cause uneven shrinkage, physical damage and insulation failure, the use of open flame is not recommended.
Can you use a lighter to heat shrink?
0:141:09Heat shrink tubing with a lighter. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo let's just say you got two wires twist them together. And you want to put some heat shrink tubingMoreSo let's just say you got two wires twist them together. And you want to put some heat shrink tubing over. It. There you go you're all set she's the lighter try and getting close here you could do it
Can I use a hair dryer instead of a heat gun?
Can you use a hair dryer instead of a heat gun? As hair dryers and heat guns have very similar functions, you can use a hair dryer instead of a heat gun for certain applications. If you are removing labels/stickers, removing candle wax, or similar tasks then a hair dryer can be used instead of a heat gun.
Can you use a soldering iron on heat shrink?
Thanks, DR. You can shrink heatshrink with your soldering iron, but it tends to leave little bits of solder behind. If you don't have a hot air gun, a cigarette lighter just waved over the heatshrink will do the job better.
At what temperature does shrink wrap melt?
about 250 to 350 degrees F.It should be remembered that the average shrink film will have a "shrinking temperature range" of about 250 to 350 degrees F. The shrink film will melt at about 350 degrees F and will burn at 650 degrees F.
How hot can a heat gun get?
around 1,100 degrees FahrenheitMost heat guns have a minimum temperature of around 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius), although a few start even lower at 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). The top temperature of a heat gun typically reaches around 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit (593 degrees Celsius), although some get even hotter.
Is heat shrink tubing waterproof?
Specialty marine heat shrink tubing is waterproof and can be applied quickly and easily using a simple heat shrink gun. Check out some of the benefits: Marine grade heat shrink tubing is adhesive lined, meaning it creates a reliable waterproof seal.
How do you heat shrink tubing?
0:211:19How to Use Heat Shrink Tubing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTwo slide it around your wire. And then after forming your splice. Slide it over the joint. ApplyMoreTwo slide it around your wire. And then after forming your splice. Slide it over the joint. Apply some heat with a lighter or even better yet a heat gun. And watch it shrink around your cable.
What is heat shrink tubing?
Heat shrink tubing (also called heat shrink sleeving) is a hollow, polymer tube that contracts when heated. According to cableorganizer.com, heat shrink tubing was developed in the late 1950s by Paul Cook of the Raychem Corporation.
Why is heat shrink tubing important?
Heat shrink tubing is essential in improving the protection, lifetime, and maintenance of wires in a circuit. It is great for securing connections, avoiding tangling with wires, and insulating against shocks or short-circuits.
What is the best material for heat shrinking?
Polyolefin is the most common material used for heat shrink tubing. It is flexible, fast shrinking, has excellent durability, high flame and UV resistance. It has a shrinking temperature of 120°C and withstands a high temperature of 125°C - 135°C. It is mostly used for mechanical protection, insulation and marking.
What to know before buying heat shrink tubing?
Before you purchase your own heat shrink tubing you have to understand the needs of your application first and foremost. What the heat shrink tubing will be used for will implicate the type of tubing you buy. There are a variety of different types of heat shrink tubing that vary based on material, shrink ratio, inner diameter size, length and thickness.
How much extra diameter for heat shrink?
Diameter is also another important consideration. For the best coverage, you should allow for 20-30% extra inner diameter to ensure the appropriate space for the heat shrink tubing to be able to merge along with the wiring tightly.
Why is webbing used in wires?
It is typically used in projects that contain a complex webbing of wires or cables to ensure that the wires are insulated and protected from external forces like water damage or shocks.
When is Teflon heat shrink used?
Teflon heat shrink on the other hand, is used in circumstances that require a high-temperature operation. It is mostly used in industrial settings versus standard applications.
What is heat shrink tubing?
Heat shrink tubing (also known as heat shrink) is a shrinkable plastic tube with many useful applications in electronics work. It shrinks along its radius when exposed to heat, which is where its name comes from.
What is elastomeric heat shrink tubing?
Elastomeric heat shrink tubing stands out because of its flexibility, even at low temperatures down to -75°C (-103°F). It is resistant to dangerous liquids like diesel fuels, petrol fuels and hydraulic fluid. It also has good resistance to abrasion.
What size of heat shrink do you need?
But once you know what to keep in mind, choosing the correct diameter heatshrink is actually fairly straightforward.
How much does tubing shrink?
For example, tubing with a 5 mm diameter and a shrink ratio of 2:1 shrinks to 2.5 mm when sufficiently heated.
What is FEP tubing?
FEP (Fluorinated ethylene propylene) heat shrink tubing is fairly similar to PTFE in its resistance to chemicals. It shrinks at a lower temperature, however, and is a bit cheaper. Viton heat shrink tubing is a popular option for hydraulic equipment.
Why is heat shrink used for electrical repairs?
Because heatshrink is non-conductive, it forms a protective layer that prevents accidental short circuits. Aside from insulating electrical connections, heat shrink can also be used for repairs. For example, a wire with damaged insulation and exposed copper can be easily fixed with a section of shrink tubing.
How to determine heat shrink size?
Calculating heat shrink size 1 Measure the diameter of the component that you intend to insulate. Digital calipers work best for this. 2 Multiply this measurement by 1.25 so that the tubing will have enough clearance to move. In the example from the picture above, this would give us 3.4mm × 1.25 = 4.25mm. 3 Choose a heat shrink with an unshrunken diameter larger than the number from step 2, and a shrunken diameter smaller than the number from step 1. In our example, 6mm tubing with a 2:1 shrink ratio would work well. It is large enough (> 4.25mm) to slide over the wire, and smaller than 4.25mm in diameter after it shrinks.
What is the temperature range of PTFE tubing?
PTFE provides the most flexibility with a continuous operating temperature range of -270°C to 260°C.
Can you heat shrink tubing?
Using an oven to heat the heat shrink tubing is ideal, as the heat distribution will be even, but if that's not possible, you have to make sure that you heat everything uniformly and that there is sufficient circulation so that everything cools at the same rate as well. Also, if possible , rotate the object to ensure even distribution of heat.
Do you heat PTFE?
A: There are heat guns and torches that put out sufficient heat to do the job, but the important part with PTFE is that everything is heated evenly and, in the case of underlying parts with large diameters, including mandrels, that you pre-heat these before placing the shrink tubing.
What temperature does heat shrink tubing need?
For the most popular tubing materials, Polyolefin and PVC, these lie around 90°C (194°F) and 100°C (212°F), respective ly.
How to use heat shrink?
For heat shrink, you would use it like a standard heat gun. Set the heat to the appropriate temperature for your heat shrink and move the nozzle around the tubing until it has evenly shrunk. That’s all there is to it.
What to use to activate heat shrink tubing?
Hair dryers, soldering irons, lighters and butane torches are all valid options for activating heat shrink tubing. They rarely give perfect results and are tedious to use, but they are better than nothing.
How to shrink wire with soldering iron?
To use a soldering iron for heat shrink, hold the barrel of the iron close to the tubing without touching it. Move the iron back and forth while rotating the wire, so that heat can reach all sides. When using this method, make sure to not touch ...
How to use polyolefin heat shrink?
Polyolefin heat shrink is likely to work best, as it has the lowest activation temperature of common heat shrink materials. To use a hair dryer on heat shrink, simply set it to its highest heat setting and hold its nozzle close to the tubing until it shrinks.
Why is heat shrink so brittle?
Pay close attention to overheating, as this can cause heat shrink to degrade and become brittle . Picking the right size of heat shrink is important too. If you choose a diameter that is too big for your wires, it will never shrink to the right size.
How to use soldering iron for shrinking?
To use a soldering iron for heat shrink, hold the barrel of the iron close to the tubing without touching it. Move the iron back and forth while rotating the wire, so that heat can reach all sides.
What is Heat Shrink Tubing?
Heat shrink tubing is a versatile plastic layer which can be applied to cabling and components for several purposes by electricians, engineers and similar professionals, including:
What is the shrink ratio of heat shrink?
Watch out for the ‘ shrink ratio ’ – the relationship between the original size of the heat shrink tube and its shrunken form following application. This is usually either 2:1 or 3:1, with higher numbers indicating a greater ratio and therefore a tighter fit. For example, tubing with a 2:1 ratio will shrink to half its size and a 3:1 ratio indicates shrinkage to one third the full size.
What is a heat shrink connector?
Heat shrink connectors or splices are a form of tubing used to join cabling together or to connect it to power outlets. They are available in various sizes and colours. Typically made from versatile materials like polyolefin, they usually feature a dual wall design, with a shrinkable outer layer and an inner which will melt into place when heat is applied to create a strong, watertight seal.
What is the most widely used heat shrink tubing material?
The synthetic polymer polyolefin is the most widely used heat shrink tubing material due to its resistance to high temperatures and chemical contamination. PVC Heat Shrink Tubing. Polyvinyl chloride or PVC is another widely used material in heat shrink tubing. It is versatile and provides a smooth surface.
How to heat shrink wrap?
Cut a suitable length of tubing using standard scissors and lay or slide this over the target components. It’s now time to heat the shrink wrap. This can be done with a hand held heat gun or a heat shrink oven. The latter are specialist appliances for more precise and advanced heat application
Why is silicone heat shrink tubing used?
Silicone heat shrink tubing is noted for its flexibility and resilience when exposed to very high or very low temperatures. It is an excellent choice for insulation heating elements and bundling fibre optic cables. It is also widely used in medical environments because it withstands sterilisation conditions well.
How to avoid burns on tubing?
If you use a gun, move the heat back and forth across the tubing and avoid staying in one place to minimise the risk of burns. Continue until the wrap has been tightly secured
