Heat Shrink Recovery

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.

FEP Heat Shrink

Heat shrinkable FEP tubing requires approximately 420°F +/- 50°F (215°C +/- 10°C).

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. 

Need More Information?

Contact us now for more information or to evaluate samples of our extruded tubing. To speak with a technical account manager, please call us at 1.800.526.3842 or 1.803.268.9500.

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