Heat Shrink Tubing

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
F221V1/4 WH003 Alpha Wire	HEATSHRINK 1/4" X 250' WHITE	1
HSTT12-C10 Panduit Corporation	HEATSHRINK 1/8" X 100' WHITE	3
F2211/16 BK103 Alpha Wire	HEATSHRINK 0.062" X 4' BLACK	0
ES2000-NO.4-B7-0-60MM TE Connectivity Raychem Cable Protection	HEATSHRINK 0.7" X 0.196' BLACK	0
47-20948-CL NTE Electronics, Inc.	H/S 3/4IN 48IN CLEAR THIN	510
47-20748-W NTE Electronics, Inc.	H/S 3/8IN 48IN WHITE THIN	737
ITCSN-2000-12"-BLACK-50 PCS 3M	HEATSHRINK ITCSN 2X12" BLK 1=1PC	29
HT-C-250-WT-J Brady Corporation	HEAT SHRINK TUBING	0
MFP-1/16"-CLEAR-10 PC PK 3M	HEATSHRINK 1/16" X 4' CLR 1=10	24
RNF-100-3/8-CL-SP-CS7465 TE Connectivity Aerospace Defense and Marine	HEATSHRINK 3/8" CLEAR	0
F221V1/8 BK062 Alpha Wire	HEATSHRINK 1/8" X 0.5' BLACK	1610
47-10450-CL NTE Electronics, Inc.	H/S 3/16IN 50 CLR THIN	14
F2213/8 WH065 Alpha Wire	HEATSHRINK 3/8" X 0.5' WHITE	164
Q2-Z-4-01-SS100FT Qualtek Electronics Corp.	HEATSHRINK POLY Q2Z 4"X100FT BLK	0
HSTT06-YK1 Panduit Corporation	HEATSHRINK 1/16" X 0.5' MULTI	4
HSTTV38-48-Q Panduit Corporation	HEATSHRINK 3/8" X 4' BLACK	113
HSTT100-48-545 Panduit Corporation	HEATSHRINK 1" X 4' GREEN/YELLOW	47
495895 Richco, Inc. (Essentra Components)	2:1 HEAT SHRINK TRANSPARENT	0
47-23848-BK NTE Electronics, Inc.	H/S 1 1/2IN 48IN BLK DUAL	71
HSTTV06-C Panduit Corporation	HEATSHRINK 1/16" X 100' 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.