Ever worry about frayed wires or damaged components ruining your electronics? Heat shrink tubing is a cost-effective and durable product to protect your wires, cables, connectors, and splices within an electronic device.
Mechanisms require protection and insulation from environmental factors. Heat shrink tubing is a vital component of computers, smartphones, power supply units, and televisions. Custom heat shrink label printing allows for the safe identification of hazardous wiring and cables.
What Is Heat Shrink Tubing?
Heat shrink tubing is a cylinder made of thermoplastic that acts as a protector, insulator, and identifier for wires, cables, and other electrical components. As a pre-cut tube, it is placed around the electrical component, and heat is applied to force the cylinder to shrink radially. This forms a shield from abrasion, corrosion, impact, extreme temperatures, and moisture.
Both single-wall and dual-wall tubing are available for various applications across numerous industries. For double protection, dual-wall heat shrink tubing has an adhesive along the inner wall to work as a waterproof barrier. Custom heat shrink is also available for the organization and labeling of electrical components.
Benefits and Applications of Heat Shrink Tubing in Electronics
- Insulation: The delicate components of electronics require protection from electrical shorts which can lead to shocks and fires. Wires, cables, splices, and connectors need the extra insulating feature of heat shrink tubing.
- Environmental Protection: Electronic devices can be exposed to environmental elements such as dust, grime, moisture, and even abrasions from impact. Wiring and cables can be susceptible to damage, whether they are used indoors or outdoors. Heat shrink tubing protects against all environmental factors including corrosion.
- Strain Relief: Many electronics require several strands of wires, cables, splices, and connectors to work properly. Heat shrink tubing is flexible and durable, allowing the components to move as needed without straining, bending, or stretching.
- Waterproofing: Electronics need to be exclusively protected from moisture and chemical spills to avoid fires, shock, and destruction of components. Heat shrink tubing is waterproof as it is an insulation barrier surrounding the wires and cables. The tubing reduces the risk of corrosion of the underlying electrical apparatuses.
- Organization and Identification: To improve the organization and identification of wires and cables, colored or custom-printed heating shrink tubing provides safe and effective management. Electronics like televisions, stereos, computers, and other technological devices require an abundance of wiring. Having easy access and identification can lower the risk of accidents, tripping hazards, and hazardous repairs.
- Innovative Applications: Custom logo heat shrink tubing can be used in many types of electronic devices including wearable technology and IoT devices. Audio and video electronics can be enhanced with heat shrink tubing.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Heat Shrink Tubing
- Choosing the Correct Size and Shrink Ratio: While quality tubing will shrink to the appropriate dimensions, it is important to choose the proper size and shrink ratio. The most popular heat shrink tubing sizes are 2:1 or 3:1 shrink ratios. For 2:1, select a diameter that is just under double the size of what is being covered; for 3:1, select a diameter almost triple in size. It shrinks radially, not in length.
- Material Selection Based on Application: Heat shrink tubing is available in adhesive-lined polyolefin, neoprene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), elastomeric, and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDE). Polyolefin is the most commonly used thermoplastic material which offers durability, flexibility, and break-resistant components.
- Temperature Ratings: As electronics use varying temperature regulations, top-quality heat shrink tubing can be used safely and effectively. Tubing made with polyolefin material is a top contender due to its tolerance for temperatures up to 135°C (275°F).
- Compliance and Standards: Quality heat shrink tubing meets all industry standards and certifications for the safety of users. The CSA/UL stamp ensures the tubing is an electrical insulator rated for up to 600 volts. While safety data sheets (SDS) accompany top-quality tubing such as Thermafix® Heat Shrinkable Tubing, the tubing material does not emit toxins when heated.
Enhance the Safety and Aesthetics of Your Electronics with Heat Shrink Tubing by ShrinkShop
Choose the highest quality heat shrink tubing to improve the safety and aesthetics of all your electronics. At ShrinkShop, we use state-of-the-art equipment and materials to produce customized tubing that meets all industry standards. See our amazing selection of tubing and heat shrink tools on our website. Contact us today!