Heat shrink tubing is one of the most versatile tools across the board in most industries. The protective thermoplastic cylinder insulates wires and cables as it acts as a shield against abrasion, dust, moisture, ultraviolet light, and the effects of extreme temperatures.
Key Applications of Heat Shrink Tubing
Heat shrink tubing can be used in a variety of industries. Specifically, single wall heat shrink tubing and dual wall heat shrink tubing can both be found in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Below are some specific industries that rely on the durability of heat shrink tubing.
Electrical Industry
The electrical industry focuses on the use, manufacturing, and production of electrical components for power distribution. Heat shrink tubing provides non-conductive electrical insulation for terminals, connectors, and splices while doubling as a protective shield against impacts and cuts. Environmental elements such as fluids, chemicals, and moisture are no match for the tight seal heat shrink tubing gives all electrical components.
Heat shrink tubing is also widely used during the production of electric vehicles (EV) and as a protective shield for battery packs to prevent thermal damage. The extra layer of insulation and protection the tubing provides prevents electromagnetic interference between the EV and neighboring electronic sources.
In addition to enhancing safety, heat shrink tubing can be used as an organizer of wire harnesses, as a strain relief for heavy wires and cables, and as an identifier for components.
Construction Industry
The construction industry is one of the country’s most important industries, which means quality and reliability are top priorities. Delicate wires, cables, and terminals can be susceptible to accidental damage due to impact, moisture exposure, and cuts from power and manual tools. Having extra protection from heat shrink can reduce costly repairs and replacements.
Heat shrink tubing is often used for securing electrical cables in harnesses, sealing plumbing pipes, marking tools, identifying components, and sealing cables from potential moisture damage. Some of the main benefits of using heat shrink tubing in the construction industry include but are not limited to, enhanced durability and safety, organization, and weatherproofing.
Safety is a top priority during and after a construction project. Heat shrink tubing provides security for wires, cables, and other components.
Automotive Industry
The Canadian automotive industry is one of the country’s largest export industries and manufacturing sectors with more than 500,000 working positions. In the production and maintenance of vehicles, this multibillion-dollar industry relies heavily on the use of heat shrink tubing to protect and insulate automotive components.
Vehicles can be complex, which means the components used, such as heat shrink tubing, must be able to withstand and protect against moisture, corrosion, mechanical damage, and extreme temperatures. The tubing is chemical-, heat-, and flame-resistant and works in high or low-temperature environments.
On the production side, the tubing is used for wire harnesses, cable assemblies, fuel lines, fluid containers, hoses, gas and brake pipes, diesel injection clusters, air conditioning, sound systems, and, of course, all electrical connectors and components. Heat shrink’s reliable thermoplastic material can reduce mechanical stress and vibrations and can act as an identifier, insulator, and protective cover.
Electronics Industry
Custom heat shrink tubing is a major component in what makes the electronics industry a multitrillion-dollar industry. In the production, manufacturing, and maintenance of electronic equipment and components, such as electrical devices, radio equipment, and telecommunications products, heat shrink tubing provides protection, insulation, and organization.
When assembling Printed Circuit Boards (PCB), the delicate components need to be insulated to enhance the isolation of electricity with the heat generated by the circuit board. In addition, the components of PCBs are installed using specialized surface mount technology (SMT), which can emit high temperatures. Heat shrink can provide the required insulation and protect the components from heat damage.
Heat shrink tubing is also used as a label and identifier. Having the wires, cables, and other electronic components properly labeled with printed tubing can ensure the wiring adheres to manufacturing safety standards and consumer protection. Custom-printed heat shrink tubing can be used on computers, televisions, mobile devices, power supply units, and other electronic products and provides companies with a source of “free” advertising with brand promotion.
Boat Manufacturing
The boat manufacturing industry is responsible for the production of various marine crafts, including recreational boats, commercial boats, military boats, and other types of boats. Wires, cables, terminals, and other electrical components require extreme insulation and protection against both interior and exterior environmental elements.
Heat shrink tubing can be used for electrical systems and wiring harnessing with marine-grade protection. The tubing is corrosion-resistant, UV-resistant, and salt-resistant, which is vital when manufacturing boats of any kind. Saltwater can cause severe abrasion to the boat’s components. The waterproof seal of the tubing protects against exposure to water, fluids, chemicals, and weather conditions.
Since more and more boats are using advanced technology to enhance the safety, security, and function of their navigation systems, these components are susceptible to damage that can be caused by extremely high and low temperatures. Heat shrink tubing provides protection, insulation, identification, bundling, and strain relief. It can be used on high-touch surfaces for better handling and enhanced safety measures.
Aircraft and Aerospace
The aerospace and aircraft industry oversees the production of aircraft, satellites, rockets, and their components. Thousands of North Americans are employed in the development and manufacturing of commercial, industrial, and military aircraft. The safety standards within the industry are extremely high to protect users and the public at large.
Due to the fact that heat shrink is lightweight, flame retardant, resistant to extreme temperatures, and resistant to radiation, it is used for the controls, communication, and structures of aircraft. The tubing provides protection and insulation to prevent electric charges and faulty operations due to moisture and dust exposure. Military equipment, specifically, needs defense against inconstant environmental conditions, abrasions, and heavy debris.
All components, devices, and equipment within this industry require superior protection from intense vibrations and exposure to humidity, ultraviolet light, chemicals, and acids. Heat shrink tubing is used for instrument panels, bearings, composite tooling, fasteners, gears, housings, valve seals, fiber optic cables, windows, and seating, just to mention a few of the applications.
Cable Management
All manufacturing and production industries can use heat shrink tubing as a form of cable management to bundle, organize, and protect wires and cables. When exposed to sensitive and hazardous conditions, wires can become disconnected, entangled, and damaged if they are not insulated correctly.
Heating shrink tubing can protect against cuts, abrasion, corrosion, and dents that can damage or destroy electrical components. The thermoplastic material is resistant to wear and tear and exposure to moisture and temperatures that can otherwise affect the intricate operation of the cables.
Cable management is about organizing and enhancing safety measures for wiring used in both exterior and interior environments. Using a range of tube colors, such as white, yellow, red, blue, or green, as well as customized printed images and texts, can make identifying the function of a cable quick and easy. It also can present an aesthetically pleasing clutter-free environment for cable spaces.
Cable management is essential in residential and commercial settings such as in technical entertainment areas, data centers, computer network racks, production studios, workspaces, and retail stores.
Audio and Video Equipment
Color-coded and custom-printed heat shrink tubing are commonly used with audio and video equipment for identification, bundling, insulation, protection, and noise buffering. The electrical components of such equipment can be at risk for damage when exposed to dust, moisture, and regular wear and tear.
Audio and visual equipment include televisions, stereos, speakers, media players, cameras, and visual recording devices. Heat shrink tubing helps to improve the quality of the audio and video, reduces noise interference, and acts as an identifier when specific colored tubing is used.
When repairs or replacements are needed, heat shrink tubing can easily identify any hazardous live wires or specific components needed. For quick and efficient repairs, the tubing itself can be used to connect wires without the need for soldering.
Explore Heat Shrink Tubing Solutions with ShrinkShop: Find Your Perfect Fit!
Across global industries, people trust the durability of heat shrink tubing produced by ShrinkShop. We specialize in single and double wall polyolefin tubing along with custom-cut and printed heat shrink tubing and wire accessories. Choose your color, size, and special details and we will do the rest!
We provide services for custom heat shrink labels and custom heat shrink sleeves with text, images, or markings. For more than 30 years, our friendly staff has provided the latest technology and custom-made products to solve your electrical demands. Contact us to discuss how we can help you with your heat shrink tubing needs!