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Heat Shrink Tubing - Frequently Asked Questions
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1. What shrink tubing materials are available?
Polyester (PET) shrink tubing (polyethylene terephthalate).
2. What is the percent shrinkage?
15% from the minimum expanded inside diameter.
3. How do I get more than 15% shrinkage?
Whenever very high radial shrinkage (up to 50% or more) is required, the "Drawing Process" can be used. This simply requires axial tension and stretching of the tube while it is being heated. Over 50% diameter reduction can be achieved at temperatures below 100°C (212°F). Higher diameter reductions can be achieved at higher temperatures, up to about 190°C (374°F).
4. Does the tubing shrink axially?
Unrestrained, the tubing will shrink both radially and axially.
5. How do you determine the proper size shrink tube?
See the
Polyester Shrink Tubing Online Catalog
6. What diameters are available?
Diameters form 0.006" to 1.250".
7. What is the standard tolerance on the diameter?
The standard tolerance on the diameter is ± 5%.
8. What wall thicknesses are available?
Wall thickness from 0.0002" (0.2 mils) and up
9. What is the standard tolerance on the wall thickness?
The standard tolerance on the wall thickness is ± 20%
10. What lengths are available?
Standard length is 50" min.
Maximum straight length 96" - longer lengths are possible for some sizes.
Custom cutting as short as 0.020" or less.
11. What colors are available?
Optically clear, black, white, yellow, blue, transparent green and transparent blue.
Custom colors are also available.
12. What sterilization methods are recommended?
Either Ethylene Oxide or Gamma Radiation
13. What is the temperature range?
Cryogenic to 125° C; Short term up to 200° C
14. What is the shrink temperature range?
Approximately 85° C (185° F) to 190° C (374° F), with a typical shrinking temperature of 150° C (302° F) 150° C will produce a shrink greater than or equal to 15%
15. How do I bond polyester heat shrink tubing?
See
Bonding PET Balloons and Heat Shrink Tubing
16. What would be the best wall thickness to use when peeling the heat shrink?
0.5 mil wall thickness would be the most recommended. 0.25 mil and 1 mil may also be used. We do not suggest going thicker than 1 mil.
17. Can the shrink tubing have pin-holes?
No. Due to the nature of the tubing manufacturing process, you should not observe pinholes.
18. What causes pin-holes in the shrink tubing?
A number of things can cause pin-holes in the shrink tubing. The damage is typically related to sharp objects, mishandling or overheating. Proper handling of the tubing is the key. First of all, the product that is being covered must be completely de-burred and not have any sharp edges. Secondly, care must be taken when placing the shrink tubing over the product as well as moving the product through a heat source and/or removal from an oven. Damage can also occur if the covered product accidentally comes in contact with a sharp object. Additionally, subjecting the product to temperatures above the melting temperature of PET can cause holes or splits.
19. How do I minimize axial shrinkage?
By either choosing a tubing size that more closely fits on to the product to be covered (start with a small tube size) or hold/restrain the ends of the tube during the shrinking process to prevent the tube from shrinking in length.
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