19/03/2024

Heat shrink tubing and heat shrink moulded shapes for many applications

Heat shrink tubing fitting your requirement best.

Heat Shrink Tubing HA47 Tredux application below ground

Are you looking for the best heat shrink tubing to meet your application requirements?

Areas where heat shrink tubing is used vary greatly. This is why HellermannTyton focuses on matching all of its heat shrink tubing optimally in the jobs for which it will be used in developing, manufacturing and distributing its heat shrink tubing and heat shrink moulded shapes.

This means HellermannTyton sets the pace with each new piece of heatshrinkable tubing when it comes to providing protection against mechanical, environmental, chemical or electrical effects.

The key factors to which we owe our success are the unique and quite specific properties of our heat shrink tubing . Starting with the choice of material, for example, the different requirement demands raised by being used in the sensitive aerospace industry or rail transportation sector are focused on  the self-extinguishing fire protection properties of heat shrink tubing.

According to the requirements set, the shrink ratio, that is to say the precise size to which heat shrink tubing is capable of shrinking, can be just as important in this process as dispensing with halogeneous materials in the manufacturing of heat shrink tubing.  The 80-20 rule means that a heat shrink tube should shrink by a maximum of 80% and a minimum of 20%.

For example a cable with a diameter of 5mm is to be wrapped in heat shrink tubing.  In theory both sizes 6/2 and 12/4 would be suitable, since the required diameter of 5mm lies within the shrink range of both tube sizes.

What is heat shrink tubing?

Heat shrinking means: The process of applying heat, for example using an electric or gas heat gun, to shrink expanded plastic tubing or shapes down to its original size.  A distinction is made in this respect between recovered dimension(original size) and supplied dimension (expanded size). Heat shrinking is used in various industries and applications – for instance to insulate and protect cables against heat, chemicals or water. Watch this video with our heat shrink experts Barry and Mark to see how easy heat shrink tubing is to handle.

 
 
Heat shrink moulded shapes selection

 

Every single piece of heat shrink tubing has to match its specific area of work to the highest degree of accuracy – from batch production, for example as the insulating handles of tools, to heat shrink tubing sleeves for maintaining underground cables which have already been laid and which would be extremely expensive to repair in terms of resources and costs without using corresponding specialised heat shrink tubing (heat shrink cable repair sleeves).

From adhesive lined heat shrink tubing to transparent heat shrink tubing  which allows the identifying elements to remain visible on cables to be insulated, HellermannTyton offers a comprehensive range of heat shrink tubing products that meets the highest international standards.

 

HellermannTyton provides workers and decision-makers involved in manufacturing with a solution fit to their specific needs, which is tailor-made for their specialist area or, to put it another way, every piece of HellermannTyton heat shrink tubing makes problems shrink, even before they arise.

Heat shrink tubing with a shrink ratio of 2:1 offers:  HFT-A, TL27, TF21, TF24, VITON-E, TK20, TK29, TFE-2, TR27, TCN20 and SE28.

Heat shrink tubing with a shrinkage ratio of 3:1.  With the optimal shrinkage ratio of 3:1 you can cover a wide range of applications with just a few sizes.  This leads to reduced stock expenditure and requires less space.  3:1 heat shrink tubing:  TF34, TF31, EPS-300, TCN20 overexpanded, TA32 and TA37.

Product highlight heat shrink tubing: Cable Repair Sleeve RMS

Cable repair sleeve RMS

RMS are heat shrinkable wrap-around sleeves used in cable repair and splicing applications. The wrap around sleeves are a fast, labour saving and permanent cable repair and sealing system. The sleeve is simply wrapped around the cable and held in place using a rail and channel closure.

The cable repair sleeve RMS is especially useful for repair of long and buried cables where it would be difficult or impossible to use a shrink tubing.

Heating by a torch will shrink the heat shrink sleeve and melt the adhesive inner coating resulting in a moisture-proof, insulating and tight-fitting repair.

The sleeve provides excellent corrosion protection,abrasion and weather resistance making it also ideal for LV cable joint outer protection. The high shrink ratio limits the number of sizes to only 6. Each size covers a range of cable sizes. RMS is available in various standard lengths. Other lengths available on factory request.

 

  • Fast, moisture proof and permanent repair of cable jackets
  • Only 6 sizes for a wide range of cable diameters from 10mm up to 160mm
  • Available in 4 standard lengths, custom lengths also available on request
  • Each RMS heat shrinkable cable repair kit is ready for use
  • Comes complete with instructions, abrasive strip and cleaning sachet
  • Weather resistant and halogen free
  • TCP (thermo-chromatic paint) spots indicate the sleeve has been sufficiently heated

Product highlights in the field of heat shrink tubing:

Cable Repair Kit LVRK

Cable Repair Kit LVRK

The LVRK heat shrink Cable Repair Kit allows a quick and safe repair of damaged cables in electrical installations. Damaged cable sheath or wire damage is safe, durable and labour-saving repairs. Normally, therefore no set of recessed conduit boxes or the insertion of wires is necessary.

  • For cables 1.5mm2 - 2.5mm2
  • Fast, safe, durable and labour saving repair of cables/wires
  • Recessed conduit boxes or inserting lines not necessary
  • Cost saving as above

 

 

 

Kit contents:

1 x adhesive lined shrink tube 200mm long
4:1 shrink ratio
5 x butt connectors with heat shrink insulation materials and adhesives
4 x heat stabilized Q-tie cable ties, innovative and time saving (thanks to an open head design)

Discover the wide range of heat shrink products.

Heat shrink tubing is extruded plastic tube that is expanded and will shrink back to its extruded size when heated.  Heat shrink is used to electrically insulate cables and wires offering mechanical and chemical protection.

HellermannTyton is a global manufacturer who offers high performance fastening, connecting, routing, protecting, and identifying solutions to diverse markets. For our customers we develop market solutions that uniquely meet industry needs - solving an application requirement, saving installation and component costs, and improving the quality of the end product - no matter what your industry:

Heat shrink tubing Heat shrink tubing

Heat Shrink Tubing for electrical insulation and mechanical protection. Thin Wall Tubing, Medium and Thick Wall tubing, without (single wall) or with adhesive liner (dual wall). Heat Shrink Tubing made of Polyolefin (POX), Elastomer (PES), Fluoropolymer (FPM), Polyvinylidenefluoride(PVDF) and Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE). Available in various shrink ratios from 2:1 up to 6:1 for different applications.

The right Heat Shrink Tubing:
The 80:20 rule means that a heat shrink tube should shrink by a maximum of 80% and a minimum of 20%.  For example:  A cable with a diameter of 5mm is to be wrapped in heat shrink tubing.  In theory both sizes 6/2 and 12/4 would be suitable, since the required diameter of 5mm lies within the shrink range of both tube sizes.

Heat shrink moulded shapes Heat shrink moulded shapes

Heat Shrink Moulded Shapes, End Caps and Breakouts, unlined and adhesive lined, 2-way up to 6-way Outlet Shapes.  
90°and 45° angle boots, Transitions, Y-outlets, VG-style shapes. End Caps and Breakouts for low voltage applications, two component epoxy adhesive and hot melt adhesive tape.

HellermannTyton heat shrinkable moulded shapes combine the advantages of quick, easy installation with high electric strength, mechanical toughness and superior chemical and environmental resistance. Our products offer important functional and cost saving benefits for electrical and electronic applications ranging from insulation and protection of individual components to fabrication of complete inter-connecting cable harness assemblies.  Strain-relieving boots, transitions and connector backshell covers, as well as other specialised shapes, are available in a wide range of sizes and options.

Non shrinkable tubing Non shrinkable tubing

Insulation tubing and sleeving, made from Chloroprene (CR), Polyvinylchloride (PVC), Polyolefin (PO),
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or Silicone (SI) as well as Hellerine lubricating oil for rubber and plastic sleeves.  The chloroprene non shrinkable tubing is ideally suited to rigorous environments such as aerospace, mass transit and defence markets.  As the material is highly elastic it's original size can be expanded 500% on application and 200% in continuous use.

To save time and effort when fitting the tubing, we recommend the HellermannTyton K, S and SS three prong tools and the Hellerine Lubricant.

With the wide range of high-quality heat shrink products in different materials, colours, sizes, wall-thicknesses and shrink ratios HellermannTyton offers the right product for every application

ShrinKit 321, shrink tubing in handy boxes

ShrinKit 321, shrink tubing in 3:1 shrinkratio in a box

ShrinKit 321 is a family of five heat shrink tubing assortments in attractive and handy assembly kits. With their ideal 3:1 shrink ratio these products replace many differently sized tubing solutions by fitting almost any heat shrink requirements. Choosing the required product is simplicity itself as the tubings are clearly identified by size and length and content printed on every compartment of the assortment boxes.

The range of kits consist of the following:

HIS-3 shrink tubing

coloured pre-cutted heat shrink tubing HIS-3 Bag in blister bags

HIS is a range of heat shrink tubing types in handy dispenser boxes.

The range consists of HIS-3 and HIS-A (Adhesive lined tubing) with 3:1 shrink ratios. With their ideal shrink ratio of 3:1 these products replace many differently sized tubing solutions by fitting almost any heat shrink task. The handy dispenser boxes allow for proper storage and the tubing can remain dust-free even after breaking open a package.

HIS-A - with adhesive liner: HIS-A forms a seal against moisture and protects against corrosion and mechanical abrasion.

HIS-3 - is used in general purpose of electrical insulation with a high level of protection against corrosion and mechanical abrasion.

Heat shrink moulded shapes with adhesive liner

Heat shrink moulded T-shape Helashrink 1202-1-G recovered onto a cable harness

Helashrink moulded shapes with adhesive liner allow for very precise fitting,
extremely robust connections and excellent corrosion protection at branches in string cabling.

Heat shrink tubing MA47

Medium Wall, adhesive lined heat shrink tubing MA47 with 4:1 shrink ratio

Medium wall, 4:1 shrink ratio, heat shrink tubing MA47 with thermoplastic adhesive lining provides reliable insulation and moisture protection for low voltage cable joints and terminations, above and below the ground.

Coated inside with thermoplastic adhesive which protects against humidity and other environmental impacts after shrinking.

 

 

 

 

Features and benefits:

  • Medium walled heat shrink tubing 4:1 ratio
  • Securely packed in display boxes for use in smaller quantities
  • Supplied in lengths of 1m
  • Thermoplastic adhesive liner for protection from moisture and weathering
  • Shrink ratio up to 4:1
  • Insulation class:  A (VDE 0530)

 

 

Heat shrink tubing TREDUX

Heat shrink tubing TREDUX, thin wall with 3:1 shrink ratio

Thin wall TREDUX heat shrink tubing with a shrink ratio of 3:1   Used for general electrical insulation and mechanical protection of cables and wires.

TREDUX is a thin walled cross-linked polyolefin heat shrink tubing in 1m lengths delivered in handy display carton.  Other colours are available on request please ask our customer service department.

 

 

 

 

 

Features and Benefits

  • Thin walled flexible cross linked polyolefin heat shrink tubing
  • 1m shrink tubing lengths delivered in handy cartons
  • 9 sizes from 1.5mm to 101.6mm
  • Colours:  black and yellow/green

Heat shrink moulded shapes Helashrink Series 1100

Heat shrink moulded shape helashrink 1100 recovered onto a connector

The right-angled, moulded heat shrink shapes of the Helashrink Series 1100 provide strain relief and mechanical protection for connector-cable connections with circular connectors.

Heat shrink tubing TF24

Heat shrink tubing TF24 transparent for marking cables and wires

Heat shrinkable tubing  2:1 flexible and transparent TF24 protects wire and cable markers, subject to abuse, while permitting inspection of each item covered.  Halogen free and offering good mechanical and chemical resistance.   Offering 14 sizes from 1.2mm up to 101.6mm minimum diameter.

 

 

 

 

 

Features and benefits:

  • Transparent, flexible polyolefin tubing
  • Protects identification marking perfect
  • Halogen free
  • Good mechanical and chemical resistance
  • VG-approval and additional industrial approvals

Heat shrink tubing TF21

Heat shrink tubing TF21 thin-walled is quick and easy shrinking and widely used for insulating, mechanical protection, strain releief, marking and bundling.

TF21 printable, thin wall heat shrink tubing due to it's versatility is suitable for a wide range of applications like electrical insulations, mechanical protection and marking.  This thin walled, flexible polyolefin tubing is fast shrinking and with low shrink temperatures.  The product meets and exceeds lots of industrial standards with a large variety of different colours and sizes.  It is flame retarded and UL224 VW1 listed.

 

 

 

 

 

Features and benefits:

  • Thin walled flexible polyolefin tubing
  • Fast shrinking and low shrink temperature
  • Meets and exceeds lots of industrial standards
  • Big variety of different colours and sizes available
  • Printable
  • Fleme resistant and UL224 VW1 listed

Heat shrink tubing TR27

Heat shrink tubing TR27 thin-walled, halogen free, self extinguishing

The thin-walled TR27 2:1 heat shrink tubing is halogen-free, self-extinguishing and thus extremely suitable in applications where toxic emissions evolved in a fire must be minimised e.g. heavily populated buildings or safety sensitive areas like tunnels, hospitals, schools, theatres, mass transit vehicles and computer centers.  This product is also available with adhesive or as thick walled version (SR27)

Heat shrink tubing HFT-A

Heat shrink tubing HFT-A for protection of components

The HFT-A heat shrink tubing is a high performance thin wall tubing used extensively for electrical and mechanical protection.  It is also well proven for sleeve marking to identify wiring circuits.  It shrinks uniformly to form a permanent insulation covering.

The transparent version is used for bundling and cable protection where visual inspection is required.  It is often used as a see through protective sleeve over cable markers.  The product is easy to print on and is UL-224, CSA listed and VG approved.

 

 

 

 

Features and benefits:

  • Flexible heat shrink tubing
  • Fast shrinking, easy handling, good mechanical strength
  • Easy to print on
  • Wide range of colours
  • Internal dimensions up to 4 inches (101,6mm)
  • UL-224, CSA listed and VG approved

HEK Heat Shrink End Caps

HEK Heat Shrink End Caps with adhesive liner for insulation sealing of cable ends

HEK End Caps are used to seal cable ends during storage and transportation. The adhesive lining provides an excellent seal environmental seal.

Features and benefits:

  • Seal cables during storage or transportation
  • Insulating cap for live LV cables (0.6/1kV)
  • Adhesive lining for excellent environmental seal
  • High shrink ratio to minimise number of sizes needed
  • Can be fitted with air valves for pressurised cable applications
  • High shrink ratio to minimise number of sizes needed

When selecting the correct heat shrink tubing it is important to consider the following parameters:

Wall thickness of heat shrink tubing: 
The material thickness will be  indicated in mm after complete shrinkage. "Nominal" defines dimensions without any tolerances. 
Generally you can distinghuish between thin wall, medium wall and thick wall heat shrink tubing. 
Heat shrink tubings are also available with adhesive liner. They are also called dual tubing. 

Diameter of heat shrink tubing: 
For thin wall tubing with a shrink ratio of 2:1 (standard tubing) the diameter is usually in inch sizes 25.4 mm equals 1 inch. 

Shrink ratio: 
Depending on the used compound material and wall thickness heat shrink tubing can be extruded to a different degree. 
The shrink ratio indicates the rate, the product shrinks (supplied diameter in relation to recovered diameter). The shrink ratio varies from 2:1 to 6:1. The higher the shrink ratio, the more varying diameters of the object can be covered. Thus, fewer sizes of heat shrink tubings are needed. 
This helps to reduce stock and so requires less space. 

Longitudinal change after shrinkage: 
 Heat shrink tubings do not shrink only in diameter, but generally also in length. This change in length after shrinking is indicated in a percentage  

Minimum shrinkage temperature: 
Heat shrink tubings do not all shrink at the same temperature. It strongly depends on the type of compound they are made of and their wall thickness. 

Operating Temperature: 
The operating temperature varies per tubing type. This is dependent of the compound used for the tubing type 

When selecting the correct heat shrink tubing size, it is recommended to follow the 80:20 rule. 
Heat shrink tubing should shrink by at least 20% and not more than 80% of the supplied diameter to achieve the optimal result. 

In our application overview for heat shrink tubings you will find the recommended heat shrink tubing size for every cable diameter. 
The 80:20 rule has of course been taken into account. 

Heat shrink tubings are used for cable harness assembly in general. The application of heat shrink tubings covers insulation, cable identification and, besides esthetical reasons, mechanical protection as well.

Find the right heat shrink tubing even quicker: The practical heat shrink tubing selection guide.

order the heat shrink tubing selection guide

With the comprehensive range of heat shrink products it can sometimes be difficult to choose the product that best fits your needs. 

Therefore HellermannTyton has designed a very practical selection disc for our heat shrink tubing which takes you straight to the product you are looking for. Order your heat shrink tubing selection guide today and convince yourself.

The selection disc shows the important properties of our tubing at a glance and quickly finds the right solution for your specific requirements. 
 

The heat shrink tubing selection disc gives you the overview you need and helps you navigate through our wide variety of products. 
The symbols indicate which heat shrink tubing has the properties you are seeking. 

The colour coding helps you focus on the relevant properties. 
The reverse side of the heat shrink tubing selection disc gives you an overview of the different heat shrink tubing sizes and guides  you in selecting the correct heat shrink tubing size. 

Useful tools for selecting the right heat shrink tubing

Heat shrink tubing size calculator

Heat shrink tubing size calculator

Simply enter your data and the calculator presents the fitting sizes according to the 80:20 rule. 

Hint: The heat shrink calculator also checks, whether the chosen heat shrink tubing really fits your application. Among others heat 
shrink tubing can be selected by using the product search on our website www.hellermanntyton.co.uk/calculators/heatshrinkcalculator 

Wall thickness calculator

Wall thickness calculator

If a heat shrink tubing is being shrunk the diameter as well as the wall-thickness will change. This calculator indicates the theoretical wall thickness for a given diameter. 
https://www.hellermanntyton.co.uk/calculators/wallthicknesscalculator

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best tips for using heat shrink tubings?

Note 1: For shrinking tubing it is advisable to start the shrinking process in the middle section of the tubing and then gradually proceed to one end and then from the middle again to the opposite end. Thus avoiding air becoming trapped under the tubing. 

Note 2: Heat shrink tubing will also shrink longitudinally. This has to be considered when cutting the tubing. 

Note 3: It is possible to minimise the longitudinal shrink by shrinking the ends first and then the middle section. 
However avoid air gets trapped and prevents the middle section from shrinking. 
Alternatively the tubing should be shrunk down by starting at one, the most critical, end and shrinking down slowly towards the other end. 

Note 4: If the object to be covered is metal or heat conductive care must be taken to ensure the object is pre-heated to avoid “cold spots” or “chill marks” so to ensure a tight and smooth fitting of the tubing. 

Note 5: When cutting heat shrink tubing and wrap around sleeves to the desired length special care has to be taken to ensure smoothly cut ends. Poorly cut and irregular edges can cause heat shrink tubing and sleeves to split during shrinkage. 

Note 6: When choosing the tubing size it is important to consider the 80%/20% rule. This means the tubing size should be chosen to allow minimum shrinkage of 20% and a maximum of 80%. Discover a complete application overview in our product catalogue. 

Note 7: During shrinking you should always make sure that the workplace is well ventilated.

 

What is adhesive lined tubing?

Adhesive-lined tubing is also known as dual-wall tubing. Because here you have a combination of a crosslinked outer jacket (Polyolefin) and an inner layer of adhesive. When heated, the inner adhesive wall melts and flows. This process creates an adhesion layer that ensures a tight fit to the wire, cable or connector. Adhesive-lined heat shrink tubing is ideal for producing strong, weather tight seals with extra mechanical strength and excellent protection against corrosion.

Watch this video to see dual-wall heat shrink tubing demonstrated by our experts Barry and Mark.

 
 

Why clear/transparent heat shrink tubing?

Many cables are colour coded or have identification marks printed on them – for example in public buildings like airports and hospitals but also in tunnels and means of transport like rail vehicles, ships and planes. Transparent heat shrink tubing is often used to insulate cable jackets whilst keeping identifying marks visible. This is known in the trade as oversleeving.

Learn more about clear/transparent heat shrink tubing in this video with our experts Barry and Mark.