Heat shrink tubing (or heat shrink) is useful for various applications due to its reliable protection of cables and sensitive electronic fittings from the environment, as well as abrasion, cutting, or scuffing. Heat shrink is found across leading industries including telecommunications, automotive, aviation, military operations, and more. The main heat shrink tubing we offer are polyolefin, dual wall polyolefin, specialty tubing, shrinkable PVC, and non-shrinkable PVC for use in wire splices, terminations, harnesses, and electrical connections.
How to Size Heat Shrink Tubing
The size and specs of heat shrink tubing will have a considerable effect on how the product performs. These different configurations are dependent on specific measurements and application specifications. Sizing tubing correctly hinges upon correct and accurate measurements, usually determined by the smallest and largest components to be covered by the tubing. When shrunk, the tubing should tightly envelop all of the components.
There are three main considerations when measuring heat shrink:
- The inside diameter
- The inside diameter
- Lay flat width
Types of Tubing
Polyolefin tubing is a variety of heat shrink tubing that is highly resistant to flame, highly flexible and has excellent chemical, physical and electrical properties. It has a wide operating temperature range and is electrically insulating. Applications for polyolefin tubing include wire splices and terminations, wire harnesses, mechanical protection, and fire-resistant covering, insulation, and strain relief of terminals and connections.
Dual Wall
Dual wall heat shrink is optimal for moisture and corrosion protection while providing electrical insulation using specialized engineered adhesives. The adhesive protects all terminations and connections from moisture. Dual wall also:
- Provides both insulation and sealing protection
- Bonds to a wide variety of plastics, rubbers, and metals
- Increases mechanical strength and cut-through resistance
- Provides a permanent, waterproof environmental seal
- It is also useful for marine applications
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a versatile tubing material used for a wide variety of applications and industries.
Shrinkable
Shrinkable PVC tubing has several unique properties including:
- Low shrink temperature
- Highly flame retardant
- Economical
- Resists sunlight, moisture, and fungus
- Clear in crystal clear
- Vivid colors
- Meets UL, CSA, & military specifications
The shrinkable PVC tubing is CS-SPVC for applications for non-irradiated PVC wire and cable, wire harnesses and wire splices, insulating terminals, quick shrinking, superior environmental and UV stability, lower-cost alternative to Polyolefin, outstanding dielectric and mechanical protection, resistance to chlorinated cleaners, grease, etc.
Non-Shrinkable
Non-shrinkable PVC is also highly effective and has these unique qualities:
- Flexible
- High dielectric strength
- Resistant to most chemicals, oils, and acids
- Resistant to heat
- Resistant to abrasion
- Passes UL VW-1 flame test, meets UL, CSA & military specifications
It is CS-NPVC and is used for wire harnesses, flexible wire protection, chafing protection, ground-strap protection.
We carry various types of specialty tubing used for medical and other industries. The properties for Medical & Food Grade Heat Shrinkable Superior include:
- Resists a wide range of chemicals
- Resists moisture, sunlight, and fungus
- Meets USP Class VI requirements
- Flexible heat shrinkable tubing
- Resists a wide range of chemicals and oils
- Environmentally friendly and meets the requirements of USFDA Reg. C.F.R.177.1330
Heat Shrink Tubing Shrink Ratios
Our product line of heat shrink covers the gamut of tubing for any and all applications. We supply Polyolefin, dual wall, adhesive-lined heat shrink tubing, PVC shrink tubing, PVC non-shrink tubing, medium wall heat shrink tubing, and heavy wall heat shrink tubing. We also carry end caps, printed, general-purpose, flame-retardant heat shrink, and more.
The common shrink ratios include:
Shrink Ratio
2:1
Shrink Ratio
3:1
Shrink Ratio
4:1
Shrink Ratio
6:1
We also carry oversized Polyolefin heat shrink tubing in the following sizes: 5”, 6”, 7”, 8”, 9”, 10”, and 11”.
Custom Identification Markers on Heat Shrink Tubing
Depending on your heat shrink tubing marker requirements, we can custom print for you hot stamped heat shrink tubing or thermal transfer heat shrink tubing.
What information will be needed?
- Type of tubing
- Size of tubing
- Color of tubing
- Length of marker
- Print color
- Logo or Legend if apply (Digital files)
Hot Stamp Heat Shrink Tubing
Hot stamping or foil stamping is a printing method of relief printing in which pre-dried ink or foils are transferred to a surface at high temperatures. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_stamping
Hot stamp can be used to make Identification Markers for Wire & Cable and other applications. This type of process can be applied on shrinkable or non-shrinkable tubing. This process is always custom made to your specifications or requirements. Hot stamp Heat shrink Tubing can be customized with logos, part number, date code, serial number etc. This process is permanent on heat shrink tubing. It can be applied to 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 shrink ratio regular polyolefin and adhesive heat shrink tubing. If you have any need for Hot Stamp Cable Markers contact us today!
Thermal Transfer Heat Shrink Tubing
Thermal-transfer printing is a digital printing method in which material is applied to paper (or some other material) by melting a coating of ribbon so that it stays glued to the material on which the print is applied. It contrasts with direct thermal printing, where no ribbon is present in the process. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal-transfer_printing
Thermal transfer Printed heat shrink tubing Can be used to make Identification Markers for Wire & Cable and other applications.
This way of printing on heat shrink tubing is one of the most economical to generate on an as needed basis, is not permanent. This process can be applied on continuous spools or to a specific length. This process can be used only on 2:1 polyolefin heat shrink tubing, and up to 1” size approximately. If you have any need of Thermal transfer cable markers you can order them from us today!
Need a quote? Contact us today!
Call Us Today, We are Happy to Help!
It’s not always easy to decipher the best way to use tubing on wires or how to size your tubing. If you have questions about the adequate product for your needs, call the experts here at HST Cable Management Products. We are ready and happy to help!
