Heat-shrink Tubing FITCOTUBE®

Shrink tubing made of fluoroplastics: types and properties

Due to its excellent material properties, FITCOTUBE® shrink tubing made of fluoroplastics is suitable for insulating sensors and electrical connections at high temperatures and for protecting cables and components. It can be used in automotive, aerospace, medical and environmental engineering.

Fine-tuning for the desired application can be achieved by using different fluoroplastics for the desired application. In particular, processing temperatures and the desired final condition can be influenced. At GREMCO, the following fluoropolymers are used:

• Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
• Tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP)
• Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF/ Kynar®)

Shrink tubing made of fluoroplastics: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Polytetrafluoroethylene is a long molecular and semi-crystalline polymer of fluorine and carbon, which belongs to the thermoplastics. The white and odorless solid has a very high material purity, which means that there is no risk of contamination of other materials. Due to a compact shell of fluorine atoms and the associated kinetic inhibition, PTFE is very inert, making it ideal for use with aggressive chemicals. Due to its high dielectric constant, the material is also used for insulation or as a dielectric in coaxial cables and high-frequency applications. In addition, PTFE shines with UV resistance and a low coefficient of friction, which makes the fluoroplastic wear-resistant. PTFE’s temperature resistance and non-combustibility are also worthy of special mention at this point.

Tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP)

FEP is a copolymer of the monomers tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene, which appears as a white to transparent, also yellowish/brownish, odorless solid. FEP is stable to almost all chemicals and is also extremely weather and radiation-resistant. Also, like PTFE, FEP exhibits UV resistance, has a high dielectric constant, and is wear-resistant. In contrast to polytetrafluoroethylene, FEP can melt from a temperature of 275°C, but at the same time, it is characterized by its very good applicability in the low-temperature range. In addition, FEP shines with its long service life, easy thermoplastic processing, high surface quality, and great flexibility.

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF/ Kynar®)

Polyvinylidene fluoride is an opaque, semi-crystalline, thermoplastic fluoroplastic whose base materials are hydrogen fluoride and methyl chloroform. These are then reacted to form chloride fluoro ethane and further to vinylidene fluoride, which in turn is polymerized to polyvinylidene fluoride in highly pure water under controlled pressure and temperature conditions using a catalyst. The self-extinguishing PVDF, which is marketed under the brand name “Kynar®”, is characterized by its very good thermal and chemical resistance as well as its ferroelectric properties. The high mechanical strength and clarity of PVDF must also be emphasized at this point.

Temperature properties of shrink tubing made of fluoroplastics

Finally, we would like to point out some specific applications for our shrink tubing made of fluoroplastics:

• PTFE shrink tubing to protect temperature sensors or high-temperature splice connections.
• PVDF shrink tubing for industrial applications such as protection of temperature sensors and temperature switches
• FEP shrink tubing for transport roller shrinkage in the printing industry