PEEKshrink™

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PEEK, a linear semi-crystalline aromatic polymer, is considered the highest performing thermoplastic material due to its ability to withstand extreme temperatures, high pressure, and caustic fluids. Now Zeus has taken PEEK to an entirely new level of performance with the introduction of PEEKshrink™ – PEEK heat-shrinkable tubing.

PEEKshrink provides a “shrink-to-fit” layer of protection for sensitive or critical components used in a variety of applications such as medical devices, electronics, telecommunications hardware, and oil exploration equipment. The polymer’s inherent purity, lubricity, and toughness also make it an ideal choice for analytical and life sciences applications. End users, too, in industries ranging from automotive to medical devices are finding PEEKshrink to be an ideal material solution.

An alternative to traditional protective coatings, PEEKshrink is ideally suited for challenging environments where extreme heat or cold, intense pressure, chemicals, water, or dielectric interference pose a threat to wires and electrical components. When shrunk onto components, PEEKshrink forms an impenetrable “second skin” that is impervious to contaminants thus preserving the integrity and performance of whatever is inside.

Zeus’ experience with PEEK in terms of material modification and extrusion has enabled us to elevate several key performance attributes of PEEKshrink. These improvements provide design engineers with more options of standard as well as customized sizes, tolerances, and shrink ratios for a range of projects. Let us show you what Zeus PEEKshrink can do for you.

Technical Notes
Shrink results can be achieved with multiple heat shrink systems including onfrared IR oven, convection over, or heat gun. Zeus PEEKshrink is available with heat shrink ratios up to 1.4:1 and with expanded inside diameters (ID) up to 2.0″ (50.8mm). We can also provide custom colors to facilitate identification. Our PEEKshrink is available in cut lengths or continuous spooled lengths.

At Zeus, we are here to assist you in developing custom heat shrink systems and processes. For more information, contact us or call 1-800-526-3842 toll-free in the US or +1-803-268-9500 internationally.

PEEKshrink Heat Shrink 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. PEEKshrink recovers at or near 650 °F ± 50 °F (343 °C ± 10 °C), which is close to PEEK’s melting temperature. 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 PEEKshrink must be able to withstand this range of temperature.
  4. The mandrel being covered may act as a heat sink – not allowing enough thermal energy to be transferred to the PEEKshrink before it has a chance to recover completely and smoothly. Therefore, Zeus recommends preheating large diameter mandrels.
  5. PEEKshrink 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 wrinkle or split the material if not uniformly heated.
    Note: PEEKshrink may recover and have a translucent appearance or be more opaque in appearance. This depends on the crystallinity achieved during shrinking due to varying temperatures and cooling rate of the material post recovery. Color differences should not affect the insulation properties of the material.

Ovens are the most reliable way to recover heat shrink products due to their ability to ensure even heating and reduce the risk of overheating the material (which can lead to brittleness and cracking). However, heat guns can also be used successfully to recover heat shrink material.

  • APPLICATIONS

    Electrical Component Covering – PEEKshrink’s dielectric properties and temperature endurance make it a preferred polymer for electrical applications to protect, isolate, and insulate probes, meters, or other electrical components.

    Medical Device Protection – PEEK’s ability to withstand autoclave temperatures and its dielectric properties make it highly suited to uses in medical or clinical laboratory settings to protect critical devices.

    Wire and Cable Encapsulation and Insulation – PEEKshrink provides superior protection for cables and wiring; PEEKshrink also serves as an outstanding wire splicing aid. PEEK’s electrical properties, temperature tolerance, and strength allow it to be used in almost any environment.

    Impact and Wear resistant Insulation – For physical protection, components covered with our PEEKshrink are extremely resistant to abrasion and wear allowing these components to survive in the most demanding conditions.

    Mandrel Coverings – PEEK’s ability to withstand extremes of temperature, pressures, chemical exposure, and physical wear and tear make PEEKshrink an ideal solution for mandrel coverings on which to build components.

  • KEY PROPERTIES

    Translucent or Opaque Recovery – PEEKshrink can be recovered in two temperature ranges to give either a translucent or opaque finished product. Translucent shrink recovery can be obtained at 572 °F to 644 °F (300 °C to 340 °C), and opaque shrink recovery is obtained at 680 °F to 725 °F (360 °C to 385 °C).

    High Continuous Service Temperature – Our PEEKshrink can consistently perform at 500 °F (260 °C).

    Extends Life of the Protected Item – Regardless of the type of component or application for which you use our PEEKshrink for, the covered items will have superior protection to support extended operating life.

    Reliable Performance – With the all-around protection from PEEKshrink™ surrounding your components, the covered items will enjoy a more reliable performance life-span in addition to the reliable performance of the PEEKshrink itself.

    Adheres to Metals – While many heat shrinkable polymers benefit from a highly smooth and anti-stick surface, PEEKshrink easily adheres to metals and other smooth surfaces for a solid and strong protective encapsulation.

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  • Capabilities and Sizing

    Standard Put Up: 4ft Length

    This data is based on PEEKshrink™ recovered on a 0.575” mandrel. Tubing performance and characteristics may change based on tubing size.

    Peekshrink 1.4:1 heat shrinkable AWG tubing

    Zeus P/N

    Ordered as AWG Size

    As Supplied Inside Diameter Min.

    Recovered Dimension After Shrinking Wall Thickness

    Recovered ID Max.

    MInimum

    Nominal

    Maximum

    in

    mm

    in

    mm

    in

    mm

    in

    mm

    in

    mm

    85322

    17

    0.038

    0.965

    0.027

    0.686

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85318

    16

    0.045

    1.143

    0.032

    0.813

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85184

    15

    0.055

    1.397

    0.039

    0.991

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85204

    14

    0.085

    2.159

    0.060

    1.524

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85197

    13

    0.092

    2.337

    0.065

    1.651

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85189

    12

    0.101

    2.565

    0.072

    1.829

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85313

    11

    0.112

    2.845

    0.080

    2.032

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85310

    10

    0.125

    3.175

    0.089

    2.261

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85298

    9

    0.137

    3.480

    0.098

    2.489

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85294

    8

    0.160

    4.064

    0.114

    2.896

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85146

    7

    0.174

    4.420

    0.124

    3.150

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85063

    6

    0.200

    5.080

    0.143

    3.632

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85213

    5

    0.221

    5.613

    0.158

    4.013

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85236

    4

    0.252

    6.401

    0.180

    4.572

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85243

    3

    0.277

    7.036

    0.198

    5.029

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85246

    2

    0.316

    8.026

    0.226

    5.740

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85255

    1

    0.349

    8.865

    0.249

    6.325

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

    85326

    0

    0.392

    9.957

    0.280

    7.112

    0.005

    0.127

    0.007

    0.178

    0.009

    0.229

  • Properties

    PEEKshrink Tubing Properties

    Properties

    ASTM

    Units

    Tensile Modulus

    D638

    KSI

    1,309

    Tensile Stress at Yield

    D638

    PSI

    14,503

    Glass Transition Temp

    D3418

    °F/°C

    321/161

    Dielectric Strength

    D149

    V/mil

    3570

    Thermal Endurance

    NEMA MW 1000

    °F / °C

    752/400

    Crystalinity

    D3814

    %

    40