Common Types of Heat Shrink Tubing

The following table represents the common types of heat shrink tubing and the leading brands and heat shrink ratios available at LAPP Tannehill. Heat-shrink tubing material, size, color, flexibility, flammability rating, standards/approvals, shrink temperature, and operating temperature all vary per manufacturer.

Why Use Heat Shrink Tubing?

Heat shrink tubing is an essential component for anyone looking to protect and manage their electrical wire and cables. Here are some key benefits:

Insulation & Protection: It offers excellent electrical insulation, preventing short circuits and protecting wires from damage due to abrasion, moisture, and chemicals.

Strain Relief: By providing a snug fit around wires and connectors, heat shrink tubing reduces stress on connections and prevents wire breakage.

Identification & Organization: Heat shrink can bundle components together to keep them organized and easier to manage while various colors can be used for easy identification.

Repair & Maintenance: Easily repair damaged wires or reinforce weak spots by simply applying heat shrink tubing, extending the lifespan of your cables.

Tips on Choosing Heat Shrink Tubing

Shrink Ratio: Shrink ratio is a measurement of how much heat shrink tubing shrinks in diameter and thickness when heated. For example, a 2:1 shrink ratio means the tubing will shrink to half its original size, while a 6:1 ratio means it will shrink to 1/6th of its original size.

Diameter: Select heat shrink tubing with a pre-shrink diameter that fits over your largest component and a post-shrink diameter that tightly covers the smallest.

Operating Temperature: Ensure the tubing can withstand the operating temperatures of your application.

Flexibility: Select tubing with the appropriate flexibility for your application. More flexible tubing is easier to install around tight bends, while stiffer tubing offers more protection. The thicker the tubing, the less flexibility it will have.

Wall Thickness: Consider wall thickness based on the level of protection needed. Heavy-wall tubing provides better insulation and protection, while single/thin-wall tubing is more flexible.

Longitudinal Shrinkage: This is the amount of heat shrink that shortens when heated, in addition to shrinking in diameter. This is also known as "long change" or "shrinks back". The amount of longitudinal shrinkage depends on the amount of diameter reduction that's allowed. In most cases, the length reduction is less than 10% of the original length.