FITCOTUBE® HEAT SHRINKABLE TUBING

Heat-shrinkable tubing, usually based on heat-resistant PTFE or PVDF, is drawn over the object to be protected and then heated with various processing devices. The heat applied shrinks the tubing into a tightly enclosing sleeve.

How far down the shrink tube shrinks depends on the shrinking rate, which is also called shrinking range or shrinking ratio. The usual shrinking rates are 2:1 to 4:1, although there are also other variations.

The material of a shrink tube is crosslinked after production. This step ensures that the molecule chains are connected to each other. Silanes or electron radiation can bring about this state. The respective plastic is extruded in the warm state and expanded to a desired diameter. This then leads to tension between the molecular chains. Subsequent cooling ensures that the diameter and the tensions are “frozen”, which dissolve under the influence of heat and the diameter of the shrink tube returns to its original size.

A heat shrinkable tube is made of plastic, which contracts when heated. Depending on the material, it is usually used to insulate something electrically and/or to protect something from damage (thermal or mechanical). There are countless variations of heat shrinkable tubing. For example, there are differences in the shrinking ratio (how much the tubing shrinks), the wall thickness (thin, medium, thick), the color, the approval (Mil, UL, CSA) and the material (polyolefin, fluoroplastics, elastomers, polyester, etc.) of the respective heat shrink tubing. Depending on the design, the shrink tubing then has specific properties.

The right choice of heat shrink tubing is essential for the successful use of the product. There are a multitude of possible criteria that could be relevant for you, so that we have a four-digit repertoire of different products in the area of heat shrink tubing alone. The wall thickness, the material used, the shrinking temperature, the necessary approvals or the possibility of printing are only a few of the most important characteristics that must be clear when selecting the shrink tubing. This is why we at GREMCO are not just one of many shrink tubing manufacturers, but we have specially trained personnel who will provide you with professional support in the decision-making process. Our individual customer advisory service in the field of heat shrink tubing protects you from unnecessary mispurchases and guarantees you a smooth use of the optimal suitable plastic tubing.

The usual temperature to shrink a heat shrink tube is normally 200°C. However, it is often no problem to use a higher temperature, as the data sheet always indicates the minimum shrinking temperature. For example, if you use a hot air blow dryer as a processing device, you will reach temperatures around 400°C. Basically, the higher the temperature used, the faster the hose shrinks. However, be careful during storage, because even below the shrinking temperature a shrink tube can start to shrink (but then not completely). A normal hair dryer is not suitable for this. Other possible products for shrinking are heat guns, soldering irons and shrinking ovens/infrared ovens.

Heat shrink tubes are used in various fields of application and industries. Thus, you have a wide range of possible applications, such as protection against moisture (shrink tubing with inner adhesive), protection against mechanical as well as thermal environmental influences, electrical insulation or protection against chemical substances. They can also be used for connecting cables or as corrosion protection.