Heat-shrink tubing . Specifications. Application.

The main area of ​​application of heat shrinkable tubes is the insulation of current-carrying wires. Excellent electrical insulating properties and ease of installation allow you to successfully replace them with conventional insulation tape. In this article we will talk about how to use shrink tubing.

Today, in specialized stores you can buy shrinkable tubes that insulate electrical contacts, wires, cable connections, etc. The price for them is quite acceptable, about 0.5-0.75 cu. for 1 mp

The popularity of heat shrinkable tubes as an insulating material is due to their main feature - the ability to reduce its diameter (shrinkage) under the action of high temperature (0-120 degrees).

This allows the tube to tightly cover the subject, which provides excellent insulation and mechanical protection.

Manufacturers produce shrinkable tubes of various colors. This allows you to use them not only as insulation, but also as a color marking of various products.

For example, red, yellow and green are used to mark a three-phase electric circuit - they mark the corresponding phases. For marking grounding wires using a yellow-green color. Red (plus) and black (minus) colors are used to label DC wires.

Using a shrink tube for marking is very convenient, since the tube does not need to be shrunk over the entire length of the cable - just a small section of the tube should be seated over the insulation at the end of the conductor. The tight-fitting conductor is securely fastened to the conductor, contact, or cable.

Such a marker is not afraid of either external influences or high or low temperatures, its service life exceeds 20 years, it is distinguished by its durability, low cost and ease of use.

The main characteristics of heat shrinkable tubing

Manufacturers offer a wide selection of heat shrinkable tubes with different properties. To make the right choice, you need to know the features and basic characteristics of this insulating material. TUBE tubes are characterized by:

1. - shrinkage ratio (ability to shrink 2-6 times);
2. - the presence of an adhesive layer;
3. - resistant to aggressive environment (heat-resistant, chemically resistant, light-stabilized, oil-resistant);
4. - polymer composition (PVC, polyolefins, elastomers, fluorine polymers, etc.);
5. - color (can be both standard color and combined - two-color).

How to use shrink tubing?

Shrink tubing is installed quite simply, it does not need special tools or skills. The main characteristic that you need to pay attention to before using the shrink tube is the choice of the desired diameter.

Interestingly, insulating wires with these tubes is much faster than using insulating tape.

The first thing is selected shrink tube need diameter. This is done in such a way that the diameter of the fully seated tube is less than the minimum diameter of the product to be insulated.

For example, a tube with a pre-shrink diameter of 4.8 mm and a maximum post-shrink diameter of 2.4 mm or a tube with a diameter of 6.4 mm, the maximum diameter of which after shrinkage is 3.2, can be used to isolate wires. mm

A piece of the desired length is cut from the heat shrink tube. The cut should be smooth and free of burrs, otherwise a rupture is possible in the place of an uneven cut. A piece of tube is put on the insulated area.

After that, you can proceed directly to shrinkage. This is best done with a heat gun. If you do not have one, you can use a torch, cigarette lighter or other suitable tools.

Shrinkage can be done in two ways - from the middle of the tube to its edges or from one edge to another.

The optimum shrink temperature of the heat shrinkable tube can be obtained from the seller or selected by practical consideration. Increasing the temperature does not affect the speed of the process, therefore it is meaningless to use a high temperature.

Moreover, in the case of overheating of HERE bubbles may form in it, it can become charred and even burst.

Scoped glue tubes

The excellent anticorrosive properties of adhesive heat shrinkable tubes make it possible to successfully use them as waterproofing and anticorrosion protection of various equipment and materials.

On the inner surface of special adhesive HERE there is a hot-melt adhesive layer, which not only protects the equipment from the effects of external factors due to the additional mechanical strength.

The adhesive seals the joints, preventing the influence of moisture on the insulated materials.

In the process of shrinkage, an even distribution of glue occurs inside; air cushions, irregularities, and voids are filled with it. If the adhesive HERE sat correctly, then it is almost impossible to dismantle. This is very important, for example, to protect an electrical cable that runs in the ground.

Glue HERE can be seated on a metal or wooden pole before installing it in the ground to prevent metal corrosion or wood rotting. With the help of adhesive heat pipe, mechanical strength, frost resistance of equipment, etc. can be significantly enhanced.

Foreign automakers special hard shrinking is used for anti-corrosion and mechanical protection of brake hoses and fuel lines of cars.