The use of heat shrink tubes
Heat shrink bands are used to insulate electrical wires and connections between wires, strengthen insulation, mark cables (red, black, blue or yellow-green tubes are available) and create wire harnesses. They can also be used to connect, protect against corrosion or mark components that do not come into contact with electricity - for example wires, shafts, tubes, rods, handles or tool shafts.
Heat shrink tube - What to pay attention to when shopping?
Heat shrink tubes should primarily be matched to the diameter of the cable. Of course, the shrinkage of the band must be taken into account: it is usually 2:1, which means that the heat shrink tube will double in diameter when heated (but even variants with a shrinkage of 6:1 are available on the market). T-shirts must be resistant to extreme temperatures - at least between -30°C and +120°C (the minimum welding temperature for most products of this type), and preferably more. Thanks to this, products of this type will not be damaged during welding on the cable and during subsequent work. Operating temperature is particularly important during changing conditions.
What else should heat shrink tubes stand out for?
Heat shrink tubes must also be durable - they should not be damaged by bending and stretching, of course within the range specified by the manufacturer. It is also worth paying attention to the value of resistance to electrical breakdown (given in kilovolts per millimeter, it should be at least 15 kV/mm). If you want to use tubes for marking cables, remember to choose the appropriate color. Also remember to choose heat shrink tubing that does not corrode wires (especially copper) and does not contain toxic substances such as lead or mercury. Technical data regarding heat shrink tubes and method of use can be found on the leaflet or directly on the packaging. We also offer a wide selection of cable ties necessary for various types of assembly work.
Working with heat shrink tubing
It is very important not to exceed the operating temperature indicated by the manufacturer - both when welding the tube onto the cable and during subsequent operation. Otherwise, the quick heat shrink connector may be damaged and, if the permissible limit is significantly exceeded, the cable underneath may also be destroyed. However, storing the ties at too low a temperature (especially after installation on the cable) may cause micro-cracks to form and thus weaken the durability of the cover. This applies especially to lower quality products - for this reason, it is worth choosing heat shrink sleeves (heat shrink hoses) from a proven source, which have better technical and operational parameters. Do not stretch the tubes beyond the values specified by the manufacturer, as this may result in a decrease in the strength of the material and loss of desired properties (for example, resistance to electrical breakdown). The heat shrink band will always be properly described by the manufacturer.
