Heat Shrink Tubing

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
RNF-100-1/16-CL-SP-CS5868 TE Connectivity Aerospace Defense and Marine	HEATSHRINK 1/16" CLEAR	0
Q-PTFE-16AWG-02-QB48IN-25 Qualtek Electronics Corp.	HEATSHRINK 16AWG 48"	128
47-10550-Y NTE Electronics, Inc.	H/S 1/4IN 50FT YEL THIN	15
FP301-1/8-48"-GREEN-HDR-25 PCS 3M	HEATSHRINK 1/8"X4' GRN 1=1PC 48"	62
FFLEX12 SL005 Alpha Wire	HEATSHRINK 0.984" X 100' SLATE	1
47-101100-BK NTE Electronics, Inc.	H/S 1/16IN 100 BLK THIN	89
ES2000-NO.3-B8-0-55MM TE Connectivity Raychem Cable Protection	HEATSHRINK 0.427" X 0.18' BLACK	0
0192690102 Woodhead - Molex	3/4 INCH DUAL HST BK(800/1.5 INC	0
Q2-F-3/32-01-QX50FT Qualtek Electronics Corp.	HEATSHRINK 0.093" X 50' BLACK	0
495922 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	3:1 HEAT SHRINK TUBING RED	0
Q2-F-2-01-QB6IN-3 Qualtek Electronics Corp.	HEATSHRINK 2" X 0.5' BLACK 3PC	0
HSTT05-48-TLC Panduit Corporation	HEATSHRINK 0.046" X 4' CLEAR	499
HSTT25-C2 Panduit Corporation	HEATSHRINK 1/4" X 100' RED	1
HSTTA50-48-T2 Panduit Corporation	HEATSHRINK 1/2" X 4' BLACK	2003600
47-20648-OR NTE Electronics, Inc.	H/S 5/16IN 48IN ORNG THIN	1830
47-23248-BL NTE Electronics, Inc.	H/S 1/4IN 48IN BLUE DUAL	86
HSTT06-48-Q2 Panduit Corporation	HEATSHRINK 1/16" X 4' RED	82
TECT-13.5/4.5-0-30MM TE Connectivity Raychem Cable Protection	HEATSHRINK 0.531" X 0.098' BLACK	0
47-105100-R NTE Electronics, Inc.	H/S 1/4IN 100 RED THIN	51
RMW-10/3-1200/ADH-0 TE Connectivity Raychem Cable Protection	HEATSHRINK 0.394" X 3.94' BLACK	0

Heat Shrink Tubing

1. Overview

Heat shrink tubing is a type of polymer material that contracts radially when heated, forming a tight, protective covering over cables, wires, and components. Its ability to provide insulation, mechanical protection, and environmental sealing makes it indispensable in modern electronics, telecommunications, automotive, and aerospace industries.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
PVC Heat Shrink	Low-cost, flexible, good dielectric properties	Consumer electronics, automotive wiring
Polyolefin Tubing	High abrasion resistance, UV stability	Industrial machinery, outdoor cable joints
Fluoropolymer Tubing	Chemical resistance, high-temperature tolerance	Aerospace hydraulics, semiconductor equipment
Adhesive-Lined Tubing	Sealing against moisture and dust	Marine cables, underground sensors
Split Braided Tubing	Easy installation without disconnecting components	Retrofit cable protection in robotics

3. Structure and Composition

Typical heat shrink tubing features a three-layer structure:

Base Material: Cross-linked polymer (PVC/Polyolefin/PTFE) for mechanical strength
Adhesive Layer: Thermoplastic adhesive for sealing (in dual-wall variants)
Outer Coating: UV-resistant or flame-retardant additives for environmental protection

The cross-linking process through irradiation or chemical methods enables shape memory functionality.

4. Key Technical Parameters

Parameter	Significance	Typical Range
Shrink Temperature	Determines activation threshold	80-200 C
Shrink Ratio	Indicates dimensional contraction capability	2:1 to 6:1
Operating Temperature	Defines service life limits	-55 C to +150 C
Dielectric Strength	Measures insulation performance	15-100kV/mm
Flame Retardancy	Safety compliance indicator	UL94 V-0/V-2 rated

5. Application Fields

Major industries include:

Automotive: Engine compartment wiring harnesses
Aerospace: Avionic system insulation
Telecommunications: Fiber optic cable splices
Medical: Equipment probe cable protection
Renewable Energy: Solar panel connector sealing

Case Study: Tesla Model S uses adhesive-lined polyolefin tubing for battery management system wiring.

6. Leading Manufacturers

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Feature
3M	HPST-High Performance	150 C operating temp, 4:1 ratio
HellermannTyton	SecureSeal AD	IP68-rated adhesive lining
Sumitomo Electric	FluoroResin FEP	200 C with chemical inertness
Alpha Wire	ECO SCL	Halogen-free, RoHS compliant

7. Selection Guidelines

Critical factors to consider:

Environmental conditions (temperature, chemicals, UV exposure)
Mechanical protection requirements
Electrical insulation specifications
Regulatory certifications (UL/CSA/REACH)
Installation method feasibility

Note: For underwater applications, specify adhesive-lined tubing with min. 3mm wall thickness.

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments include:

Nano-coated variants for EMI shielding
Bio-based polymers for sustainability
Smart tubing with embedded sensors
High-expansion ratios (up to 12:1) for complex geometries
Low-halogen options meeting stricter fire safety codes

Market growth projected at 6.2% CAGR through 2030, driven by EV and 5G infrastructure demands.