How to use heat shrink tubing correctly and how to apply it properly
Heat shrink tubing is a versatile application that helps insulate wires as well as strain relief and color-coded cables. There are specific types of heat shrink tubing available to you, and you can even weld and waterproof the material.
In this article, we'll walk you through the proper use of heat shrink tubing by choosing the right tubing size and material for your project.
What is a heat shrink tubing?
First of all, we need to understand what a heat shrink tubing is, also known as a heat shrink tubing. As the name suggests, heat shrink tubing shrinks when heated. It is a pipe that is installed around the parts that need to be protected. It is available in a variety of materials, such as PVC, PTFE, and polyolefin, among others. Each material has its own unique properties and features that will benefit the type of project you're working on. The bushing shrinks once heated, making it useful for a variety of useful applications in electrical projects across a wide range of industries.
No matter the size of the part to be covered, environmental requirements, or the desired shrinkage, there is a heat shrink tubing to meet your needs.
Why use heat shrink tubing?
Heat shrink tubing is versatile and can be used for many different purposes, from electrical insulation to reinforcing cables. Most of the uses are related to wires and cables. Here are the most common among the many applications:
Electrical insulation: One of the most common applications for heat shrink tubing is to insulate wires, solder joints, terminals, and joints. Because heat shrink tubing does not conduct electricity, they form a protective layer against short circuits when applied to cables.
Strain relief: Strain relief reduces mechanical stress on the cable. If strain relief devices are not used, fragile wires can easily break. Therefore, adding a small heat shrink tubing around the curved part of the wire is the easiest way to add strain relief to the cable.
* Wires: If you have a lot of cables for your project, you may want to organize them neatly. As a result, heat shrink tubing is an excellent tool for tying loose wires and providing cleaner results than cable ties.
How to properly apply heat shrink tubing.
The following tips will help you understand how to properly apply heat shrink tubing to your cable for optimal coverage.
1. Choose the right size.
The primary purpose of heat shrink tubing is to secure and fit tightly around the cable. Therefore, make sure that the tubing size is smaller than the diameter of the object to be spliced or insulated after heat shrinking.
2. Do not pull or stretch the pipe.
If you don't choose the right size of tubing, it may tear when heated. Therefore, avoid stretching or pulling the pipe on the object.
3. Consider length changes.
You have to remember to account for shrinkage, especially in smaller objects, as your pipes change their size during recovery mode. The more heat shrink tubing is heated, the greater the change in length.
4. Make sure you have the right size.
It is recommended to use the specified I.D. size to determine the correct size of the pipe. Tubing is supplied with a minimum expansion diameter for consistency.
5. Not all heat shrink tubing is the same.
You must not forget that heat shrink tubing comes in different types and sizes. Therefore, when heated shrinks, they do not shrink to a similar full recovery size. The measurement of the recovery of the inner diameter of the heat shrink tubing should always be checked before heating.
6. Beware of sharp or jagged edges.
If you are using materials with sharp or jagged edges, make sure they do not cause cuts or punctures in the pipe, which may cause the pipe to crack or ** when heated.
Be sure to verify the temperature guidelines.
Before starting the heating process, make sure that you have verified the correct temperature of the heat gun, as you may experience problems if the pipes are not heated at the proper temperature. If it is exposed to too much heat, the pipe may burn or burst. Conversely, if the heat is not enough to transport the pipeline, it may not fully recover.
Remember to heat the tube evenly.
When using a heat gun to heat the tubing, make sure that the heat is evenly distributed between the tubing. If not, you may notice wrinkles, also known as chill marks.
Guidelines must be followed at all times for proper use of heat shrink tubing.
For recommended recovery of heat shrink tubing, follow the guidelines that will help you fully restore your heat shrink tubing when it is brought to room temperature.
Quick FAQs.
How much is the size reduction after heat shrink heating?
Depending on their shrinkage, different types of tubes shrink to different sizes. For example, when properly heated, a pipe with a diameter of 5 mm shrinks to 25 mm with a shrinkage ratio of 2:1. Most heat shrink tubing also decreases as its length decreases when heated. This size reduction is typically 5% to 15% of the total length of the pipe.
What happens if the tubing is cut?
Cutting heat shrink tubing into small pieces usually doesn't cause any problems. In fact, cutting heat shrink tubing according to your needs is an important step in your project.
What is the correct temperature for heat shrink tubing?
The proper temperature for heat shrink tubing usually depends on the size and type of material of the tubing. However, the most suitable temperature for shrinkage of polyolefin pipes is around 90°C, while PVC pipes require slightly higher temperatures, around 100°C to 110°C.
Are there any options other than using heat shrink tubing?
The most common and suitable alternative to heat shrink tubing is electrical tape. However, you can also use an expandable sleeve or self-fusing tape for lower voltage projects.
This article was originally written by Dongguan Yunlin, welcome to pay attention to it, and take you to grow knowledge together!