Techflex Award-Winning Sleeving Solutions for Electrification

Written By: Kassie Teagarden, Senior Content Marketing Specialist, LAPP Tannehill

LAPP Tannehill interviews manufacturing partner Techflex to discuss cable sleeving solutions for electrification opportunities amid the EV market explosion.

For the full Techflex interview (beyond EV market applications), read more here: Partnering with Techflex to Provide Cable Sleeving Solutions

As a leading sleeving solution manufacturer, can you talk about the current EV atmosphere?

As you may know, the electric vehicle market is rapidly expanding and there are a handful of cable sleeving solutions that we recommend for EV applications.

When it comes to protecting EV batteries, the solution is either a voltage protection sleeve or a simple wrap depending on what the cable is. A lot of times EV batteries will already come with high-quality cables equipped to protect from foreseen conditions, but end users are looking for more abrasion-resistance or color-coding for identification.

You’ll find that EV charging stations are using thick cables that drag on the ground where that extra abrasion-resistant cable sleeving would really help from the wear and tear of frequent usage and extreme temperatures from being exposed to the natural elements. For less maintenance and charging station downtime caused by damaged cables, it may be a good idea to invest in cable sleeving for EV charging stations.

If customization is important to you whether your cable is under the hood or a part of the charging station, color options and a printed logo can be chosen for your selected cable sleeving.

Techflex Award-Winning F6® Battle Wrap is available in both black and orange colors

Can you tell us more about Techflex being recognized globally for a new product on the market?

Yes! We’ve submitted our new products to SEMA for 30 years, and this last fall we won the 2024 SEMA Global Media Award for engineering the F6® Battle Wrap. SEMA is a global group organized to recognize talent and innovation in the automotive sector. Journalists from around the world travel to SEMA to identify and discover what new products are likely to succeed in their home countries so there was a lot of exposure to the F6® Battle Wrap.

F6® Battle Wrap stands as a heavy-duty, slice-resistant sleeving engineered to safeguard wire and cable assemblies against forceful impacts and punctures. Its sturdy polyester build efficiently absorbs and disperses energy, providing unparalleled defense against crushing and abrasion. These attributes make F6® Battle Wrap an evident preference within the automotive industry, particularly in environments where brake lines and wire harnesses face extreme conditions.

Its ability to withstand impacts and crushes also renders it highly suitable for EV manufacturers, ensuring paramount protection for power cables. Furthermore, its distinctive features facilitate easy identification by emergency crews in crash scenarios. Not only is it an excellent choice during assembly, but its F6® construction also makes it perfect for maintenance and repairs, eliminating the need to disassemble harnesses.

Techflex® EV Cable Management Solutions

As a trusted Techflex distributor, what does LAPP Tannehill carry for EV cable sleeving solutions?

The EV market is a huge growth sector for some of our products. From the F6® Heavy to the award-winning F6® Battle Wrap, our solutions can be used with automotive batteries by covering the wires with a voltage protection sleeve or simple wrap depending on what the cable is.

Normally those cables are dragging on the ground, so sleeving that's abrasion resistant or temperature resistant will work for year-round purposes. Sleeving will extend the life of that hose, so you don’t have to replace it as often. Sleeving really protects your overall investment in your electric vehicle.

F6® BATTLE WRAP: heavy-duty, abrasion-resistant sleeving providing powerful cable protection against impact, gas, UV radiation, and chemicals and includes wire identification in case of emergencies.

F6® HEAVY: wrap-around chafe guard protection against high-voltage battery cables in hybrid and electric vehicles from cut-through damage and prevents short circuits on power lines by isolation.

FLEX GLASS FR: flame-retardant silicone braided sleeving designed to be extremely flexible in extreme temperatures and to control up to 7,000 volts in tight spaces safely and efficiently.

FLEXO® PET: cost-efficient, expandable braided sleeving with a wide operating temperature range, easy installation, and is resistant to chemicals, UV radiation, abrasion.

What requirements are typically known before searching for the right EV cable sleeving solution?

If you’re not sure what type of cable sleeving you’re looking for, LAPP Tannehill can help you find the right solution for your EV project based on your requirements. Project requirements that are typically known can include:

Cable Size and Type: Determine the size and type of EV cables that need sleeving. Different cables may require different types and sizes of sleeving.

Material Compatibility: Ensure that the sleeving material is compatible with the EV cable insulation material. Common materials for cable sleeving include nylon, polyester, and polyethylene.

Temperature Resistance: Electric vehicles and charging stations can generate heat during operation. Choose sleeving materials that can withstand the temperature range that the cables might be exposed to without degrading or compromising safety.

Chemical Resistance: Evaluate the resistance of the sleeving material to chemicals such as oils, solvents, and other substances commonly found in automotive environments.

Abrasion Resistance: Electric vehicle cables may be subject to wear and tear due to movement, friction, or contact with other surfaces. Choose sleeving that offers good abrasion resistance to protect the cables.

Flexibility and Bend Radius: Consider the flexibility of the sleeving to ensure it can accommodate the bending and movement of the cables without causing stress or damage. Be aware of the recommended bend radius.

UV Resistance: If the EV cables are exposed to sunlight, consider sleeving that is UV-resistant to prevent degradation over time.

Flame Retardancy: Ensure that the sleeving material has flame-retardant properties to enhance safety in case of a fire or high-temperature event.

Installation Ease: Evaluate how easy it is to install the sleeving onto the cables. Some sleeving solutions may offer features like self-closing or split designs for easier installation.

Regulatory Compliance: Be aware of any industry standards or regulations that apply to EV cables and ensure that the chosen sleeving solution complies with these standards.

Cost: Evaluate the cost of the sleeving solution, considering your budget constraints, while ensuring that the chosen solution meets all necessary requirements.

Use the above guidelines and requirements to find your EV market sleeving solution. Contact us today!