Heat shrink tubing.
Heat shrink tubing.
(OP)
Hello everyone,
For an application I´m currently working on a heat shrinkinig function would solve my problems, much like heat shrink tubes in electrical applications.
I have seached the web and came across tubes made from both elastomers(type not specified)and Viton.
My question is; does anyone have any input on how these recepies are designed to acchieve the shrinking function?
Thank you very much!
/Mathias





RE: Heat shrink tubing.
RE: Heat shrink tubing.
I got this info from wikipedia...
"
According to the exact material used, there are two ways that heat shrink may work. If the material contains many monomers, then when the tubing is heated the monomers polymerise. This increases the density of the material as the monomers become bonded together, therefore taking up less space. Accordingly, the volume of the material shrinks.
Heat shrink can also be expansion-based. This process involves producing the tubing as normal, heating it to just above the polymer's crystalline melting point and mechanically stretching the tubing (often by inflating it with a gas); finally, it is rapidly cooled. Later, when heated, the tubing will relax back to the un-expanded size.
"
The second method is as you mention a mechanical stretch which returns when reheated. However it´s the first method that caught my interest, how does this work and for what kind of materials?
Also, neoprene is mentioned as a material used. Is it a CR-TPE?
/Mathias
RE: Heat shrink tubing.
I would not trust Wiki's input into this subject. (I for one would not want to be around many of the monomers used for very long as they are dangerous to life and limb.) I suggest reading the Q&As in this link: htt
RE: Heat shrink tubing.
Well, I actually didn't really trust wikipedia and so I posted the question on this forum (which was wise as it seems...
Never the less, wholesalers are supplying "Neoprene Heat Shrinkable Tubing" (http://www
Are these made with the above mentioned stretch technique as well, and if so, how does one get a neoprene tube to behave in this way?
(I was unsure of the existance of CR-TPE, but now I know... thanks.
RE: Heat shrink tubing.
RE: Heat shrink tubing.
In my experience cure shrinkage is limited to about 1-3%. The neoprene heat shrink tubes are stated to have a shrink ratio of 2:1 or about 50% on the diameter.
Also, this suggests that the tubes are delivered uncured and then applied and shrunk (cured) with a hot air gun or such...
/Mathias
RE: Heat shrink tubing.