Zeus offers
heat shrinkable tubing that provides a state
of the art method for the application of
a tight, protective covering to items that
will be subjected to the extremes of heat,
corrosion, shock, moisture, and other critical
environmental conditions. Heat shrinkable
tubing extends the life of such items indefinitely
and assures their reliable performance.
Heat shrink tubing is offered in a
variety of sizes, dimensions, and shrink
ratios. Zeus provides this
unique tubing in the expanded state, and
with a brief application of heat, the tubing
molds itself tightly around anything it
is applied to.
Typical applications using
our heat shrink tubing are as diverse as
component covering, water proofing, mechanical
protection, strengthening, shock protection,
abrasion protection, corrosion protection,
encapsulation, insulation, dust proofing,
sterilization, splicing, cable binding and
tying, strain relief, marking, and coding.
The most
commonly-used materials in Zeus heat
shrink tubing are PTFE and FEP:
PTFE
Heat Shrink
Heat shrinkable
PTFE tubing requires approximately 650°F
+/- 25°F (340°C +/- 5°C) to recover. PTFE begins to shrink
at 650°F (340°C) and completes its recovery
during the cooling cycle. The mandrel being
covered must be able to withstand this range
of temperature. We recommend preheating
large-diameter mandrels and giving sufficient
time for recovery. Even heating and cooling
of all sides will provide the best results.
The
heat shrink temperatures listed here are
general guidelines. Actual shrink
temperatures may be higher or lower
depending on the design and dimensions
of the heat shrink, application
techniques and other factors.
If additional assistance is required, please
feel free to contact your Zeus Technical
Account Manager, and we will provide whatever
assistance is required. Samples can also
be supplied to help in the research and
development process.
All of our products conform to both military
and commercial standards, and, in most cases,
exceed the intent of these standards. Whether
you are interested in the aerospace, electronic,
electrical, chemical, optical, medical,
nuclear or automotive fields, we are confident
that our company can assist you with your
heat shrinkable tubing needs.
PTFE Heat Shrink 2:1
and 4:1 Recovery Procedures
1.
Always assure good ventilation
in the immediate work area
prior to beginning the heat
shrink process. Caution:
Fumes may cause nausea and
dizziness.
2.
Heat Shrink PTFE Tubing
requires 650°F +/- 25°F (340°C +/- 5°C). This
is a liberal and safe range.
Please note: The
heat shrink temperatures listed here are
general guidelines. Actual shrink
temperatures may be higher or lower
depending on the design and dimensions
of the heat shrink, application
techniques and other factors.
3.
The mandrel (part) to be
covered by Heat Shrink PTFE
must be able to withstand
this range of temperature.
4.
The mandrel being covered
may act as a heat sink – literally
freezing the PTFE tubing
before it has a chance to
recover completely and smoothly.
Zeus therefore recommends
preheating large diameter
mandrels.
5.
Heat Shrink PTFE needs to
be allowed a fair degree
of recovery. Highly restricted
radical recovery tends to
induce longitudinal loss,
while excessive restriction
tends to induce splitting.
6.
Even heating and cooling
of all sides provides the
best results. Uneven heating
or cooling tends to split
the side still in the "gel"
state while the other side
is in the hard or crystalline
state – especially upon recovery. NOTE: Shrink starts when
the PTFE is brought upon
the "gel" state but completes
its recovery during the
cooling cycle. In its
gel state, the tubing becomes
crystal clear and glassy
in appearance.
7.
Ovens are the most
reliable way to recover
heat shrink products due
to their ability to
ensure even heating and
reduce the risk of over
heating the material
(which can lead to
brittleness and
cracking). Heat guns can
also be used to recover
heat shrink material.
FEP Heat Shrink 1.3:1
and 1.6:1 Recovery Procedures
1.
Always assure good ventilation
in the immediate work area
prior to beginning the heat
shrink process. Caution:
Fumes may cause nausea and
dizziness.
2.
Heat Shrink FEP Tubing requires
420°F +/- 50º F (215°C
+/- 10°C). This is a liberal
and safe range. Please
note: The
heat shrink temperatures listed here are
general guidelines. Actual shrink
temperatures may be higher or lower
depending on the design and dimensions
of the heat shrink, application
techniques and other factors.
3.
The mandrel (part) to be
covered by Heat Shrink FEP
must be able to withstand
this range of temperature.
4.
The mandrel being covered
may act as a heat sink – literally
freezing the FEP tubing
before it has a chance to
recover completely and smoothly.
Zeus therefore recommends
preheating large diameter
mandrels.
5.
Heat Shrink FEP needs only
a small degree of recovery.
You may experience some longitudinal
change depending on the amount
of recovery.
6.
Even heating and cooling
of all sides provides the
best results. Uneven heating
or cooling tends to split
the side still in the "gel"
state while the other side
is in the hard or crystalline
state-especially upon recovery.
NOTE: Shrink starts when
the FEP is brought upon
the "gel" state but completes
its recovery during the
cooling cycle. In its
gel state, the tubing becomes
crystal clear and glassy
in appearance.
7.
Ovens are the most
reliable way to recover
heat shrink products due
to their ability to
ensure even heating and
reduce the risk of over
heating the material
(which can lead to
brittleness and
cracking). Heat guns can
also be used to recover
heat shrink material.
If
additional assistance is required,
please feel
free to contact us, and we can
provide guidance about recovering our
material as required. Samples can also
be supplied to help in the research and
development process.
Request Samples and Tech Info
If you would like samples of our fluoropolymer or other engineered tubing, or would
like to discuss a specific application, we'd like to talk with you. Zeus has a generous
sample program, making it easier than ever for engineers and designers to get stock
and custom samples quickly. Click here to contact us now.
"Offering custom Teflon® tubing and Teflon®
heat shrinkable tubing as well as tubing
and heat shrink made from fluoropolymer
resins such as PTFE, FEP, PFA, ETFE, PEEK,
and more."
Teflon® is a registered
trademark of
DuPont
PEEK is a trademark of
Victrex PLC
PTFE
Heat Shrink
Request Samples and Tech Info
