FEP Lay-Flat™ heat shrink tubing is the replacement of choice for processes using thin FEP film or seamed tape in the lay-up and cure of unique shapes for composite structures. Virgin FEP is an approved resin for contact with composite fabrication in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and wind energy. FEP Lay-Flat™ heat shrink offers superior finishing results for composite fabrication and is available in very thin walls.
FEP Lay-Flat™ heat shrink tubing can be customized for a range of applications requiring thin walls in comparison to film. Zeus Lay-Flat™ material is also available in long continuous lengths. For shrinkage, FEP Lay-Flat™ can have a ± 10% longitudinal change as it is expanded. This percentage varies by temperature and exposure time, with expansion ratios typically in the range of 1.3:1 to 1.6:1. Expansion ratios can be customized for each application.
FEP Lay-Flat™ heat shrink tubing easily slides over a mandrel as a sleeve to aid in composite forming. Then, the product can be heated in an oven to achieve a “glove-like fit” that is seamless, protecting the mandrel during cure. The tubing is naturally lubricious, and removing it after cure is easy and more efficient than past film manufacturing practices.
Our FEP Lay-Flat™ heat shrink tubing is available in diameters ranging from ¼″ (6.35 mm) to 3½″ (89 mm) outside diameter (OD). The tubing is “Lay-Flat” to accommodate ease of shipment and is placed on spools where it is compressed and flattened. Wall thickness for our FEP Lay-Flat™ can range from 0.002″ (0.051 mm) to 0.020″ (0.508 mm) and can be customized to suit application needs. Other resins in heat shrinkable form are available upon request.
For more information about our FEP Lay-Flat™ or other FEP products, contact us or call 1-800-526-3842 toll free in the US. Internationally, you can reach us at +1-803-268-9500.
Composite Forming – Zeus FEP Lay-Flat™ has broad uses in the automotive, aerospace, and wind power industries when applied to mandrels to fabricate composite parts. Our Lay-Flat™ eliminates the labor-intensive methods of film and tape wrapping and the application of sealing agents commonly associated with composite construction.
Biocompatible – FEP has a proven history of use within medical devices. For more information on FEP’s biocompatibility, contact us today.
Broad Working Temperature – FEP Lay-Flat™ can be used at temperatures up to 392 °F (200 °C), making this product an option for many applications and temperature extremes.
Chemically Resistant – FEP Lay-Flat™ heat shrink is impervious to nearly all common solvents, whether they are acids, bases, or hydrocarbons.
Etching Available for Bonding – With a specialized process, our FEP Lay-Flat™ can be chemically etched for bonding the material to other plastics, such as connectors or tubes, to join components.
Excellent Dielectric Strength – FEP Lay-Flat™ tubing possesses exceptional dielectric strength and thus doubles as additional insulating material when used with electrical components.
Excellent UV Transmission Ratings – FEP’s UV rating means that it can withstand prolonged UV exposure and not degrade or break down. The ability of our FEP Lay-Flay™ heat shrink to withstand this type of UV exposure means that it can be used under sterilizing UV light or outdoors.
Flame Resistant – FEP Lay-Flat™ is flame resistant.
Low Absorption of Solvents – Consistent with FEP’s negligible chemical activity, our FEP Lay-Flat™ heat shrink has extremely low absorption of solvents.
Many preferred traits over PTFE – Zeus FEP Lay-Flat™ has a lower gas and vapor permeability than PTFE; it is also more flexible than PTFE and possesses greater optical clarity.
Melt Weldable and Thermoformable – As heat shrink, our FEP Lay-Flat™ is fully weldable when heat is applied and is thermoformable, allowing it to be set into shapes.
More Lubricious than PFA – FEP has a lower coefficient of friction than PFA, which means it has a highly lubricious surface.
Sterilizable – This product can tolerate multiple sterilization protocols, including gamma radiation, ETO, e-beam, and autoclaving.
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