Category: PTFE shrink tubing

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Understand Differences between PTFE Shrink Tubing and Other Heat Shrink Tubing

You should understand there are differences between heat shrink tubing materials. One of the differences has to do with shrink temperatures. Some types of tubing have a low shrink temperature, while others have a much higher shrink temperature, like PTFE shrink tubing. You will need to determine what the safe level of temperatures is, for the material you want to use the shrink tubing on, in order to prevent damage.

PTFE Shrink Tubing Inner Diameters Get Smaller as AWG Sizes Increase

PTFE shrink tubing is categorized based on its AWG size. It is important to understand how AWG sizes work in order to get the right sized heat shrink tubing. As AWG sizes increase you might think the inner diameters on the tubing also increased. However, this would be an inaccurate assessment. Rather, as AWG sizes increase, their inner diameters get smaller. For example, AWG size 0 has a minimum expanded inner diameter of 0.470 inches, while AWG size 10 has a minimum expanded inner diameter of 0.191 inches.

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The Properties of PTFE Heat Shrink Tubing Make It Useful for Several Applications

PTFE heat shrink tubing has several different properties which makes it suited for a variety of applications and purposes. This type of tubing is resistant to heat, provides corrosion protection, provides electrical insulation, and has a low friction coefficient. Several of these properties help protect wiring, cabling and other types of metal parts. The tubing can also be used as a protective barrier around other materials which are used to transfer chemicals and fluids.

 

Dual Layer FEP and PTFE Heat Shrink Tubing Can Withstand Stresses from Vibrations and Pulling

 

You may be looking for a solution, which can withstand the stresses of vibrations and pulling, to use around your cabling or wiring. One option is to use PTFE heat shrink tubing with an inner layer of FEP shrink tubing. When heat is applied to the dual layer tubing, the FEP layer melts to create an almost solid encapsulation around the wiring or cabling. The exterior PTFE layer shrinks to create an outer layer of protection around the FEP layer.

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How Do I Know When I Can Use PTFE Shrink Tubing?

To determine whether you can use PTFE shrink tubing, you will need to know the tolerance temperatures of the materials, which you are placing the tubing around. This type of shrink tubing has to be heated to around 650 degrees Fahrenheit in order for it to start shrinking. You should experiment with a test piece of tubing and the material, to determine whether the material will still be viable after shrinking.

 

PTFE Shrink Tubing Works with Most Types of Metals

 

Most types of wiring and cable are designed to withstand high temperatures, which allow it to be used with PTFE shrink tubing. Copper, stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum and titanium have melting points well beyond the temperature range required to shrink this type of tubing. When working with a particular type of metal and this type of shrink tubing, you will want to check the melting point of the metal, before applying the tubing.

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In Certain Situations You May Want to Apply Teflon Heat Shrink Tubing Ahead of Time

Teflon heat shrink tubing can be applied before assembly processes to wires and cables. You may want to do this when assembly processes would prevent applying the tubing later. Another reason to do this is when the wire or cable will be installed later in a high heat area where it could be difficult to work with or attach.  Just remember to leave the ends of the cable or wire uncoated, so it can be easily attached.

Teflon Heat Shrink Tubing Provides Several Benefits When Used as a Protective Coating

There are several benefits to using Teflon heat shrink tubing. This type of tubing can be applied to medical wires in order to increase chemical resistance and lubricity. This tubing is also resistant to high temperatures while protecting the wire or cable it surrounds. It will even work as a good electrical insulating material.

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High Temperature Tolerances Are Needed When Working with PTFE Heat Shrink Tubing

One mistake to avoid when using PTFE heat shrink tubing is attempting to apply it in locations which cannot withstand high temperatures. You can cause damage to other areas of the application or component, when you apply this tubing. You should always make sure to perform prior testing to check temperature stresses before directly applying this type of shrink tubing.

Apply PTFE Heat Shrink Tubing Externally for Components Sensitive to High Temperatures

Even in areas which are heat sensitive, you may still be able to use this type of tubing, by first removing the cable or wire. This will allow you to make repairs to the component or application, but avoid damaging it. Once the cable or wire has been removed, then you can apply the PTFE heat shrink tubing, externally. After the tubing is secure and cooled, then you can rerun the cable or wire back through the device or component.

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FEP Shrink Tubing Will Shrink at a Lower Temperature than PTFE

When you are looking for shrink tubing with a lower shrink temperature, you should consider using FEP shrink tubing. This tubing works similar to PTFE, but does not require as high a temperature in order to shrink, when it is applied. PTFE requires approximately 654 to 670 degrees Fahrenheit in order to transform and shrink. FEP, on the other hand, only needs in the range of around 420 degrees Fahrenheit of heat to shrink.

Use the Recovered Diameter to Help Select FEP Shrink Tubing

In order to obtain the correct size of FEP shrink tubing, you should determine what the recovered wall size will be after it is shrunk, by working backwards. First, start off by measuring the diameter of the location where the tubing will be applied, and make sure you add a small amount to cover the tubing wall. Now, take this amount to compare the recovered diameters of the tubing and find the one which will be the closest.

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Differences in Wall Sizes of PTFE Shrink Tubing Refer to Recovered Sizes

The inner diameter of both standard and thin wall PTFE shrink tubing will be the same, in its pre-shrunken state. The difference between the wall sizes is the recovered wall thickness left over after the tubing has been shrunk. Standard wall tubing will have a thicker recovered wall thickness, while thin wall will be less.

The Properties of PTFE Shrink Tubing Allow It to Be Used in Several Industries

You will find PTFE shrink tubing used in a variety of industries for various applications. These industries include healthcare, automotive, power and electrical, and chemical operations. The properties of this type of tubing provide different benefits, depending on how it is being used. For example, the tubing is resistant to corrosion, which makes it ideal to use over metal components to protect them. The rate of friction against the tubing is also low, which makes its suited for certain types of devices, such as medical catheters.

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Use Teflon Heat Shrink Tubing to Protect Wiring in High Heat Areas

You can protect wiring in areas where high heat levels are generated, by using Teflon heat shrink tubing. Areas where heat can be an issue can include around engines, production machinery, and other types of motors. The tubing can be applied around multiple wires to create a bundle or used on individual wires. The Teflon will act as a heat barrier to protect the wiring.

Avoid Problems with Wall Restriction by Using the Right Size of Teflon Heat Shrink Tubing

Wall restriction can be an issue when using Teflon heat shrink tubing by using the incorrect size. This type of tubing is designed to shrink to a set size around the cable or wiring where it is being applied. When you use the incorrect size, than which is required, the tubing will not fully shrink down. This problem can easily be avoided by selecting a recovered wall size which is close to the diameter of the cable or wiring.

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The Size of PTFE Heat Shrink Tubing Is Often Given in Pre-Shrunk Sizes

When selecting PTFE heat shrink tubing, you will need to know what size you require. Sizes are often given in the pre-shrunk state of the tubing. This will let you know how big of a wire or cable the tube can easily slide over. However, you will also need to know what size the tubing should be after it is shrunk. The amount the tubing will actually shrink is related to the ratio, such as 2 to 1, which means the tubing will shrink to about half of its original size, if it is fully shrunk.

Use the Shrink Ratio to Match PTFE Heat Shrink Tubing to Where It Will Be Applied

The location where you apply PTFE heat shrink tubing should be used to help pick out the right shrink ratio. When you need to fit the tubing over oddly-shaped components, like plug connectors, you will want to use a larger shrink ratio. Larger shrink ratios provide a slightly thicker wall, to protect the connector, than tubing with a lower shrink ratio.

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The Advantages of NiTinol Wire Make It Suitable for Use in Healthcare

NiTinol wire has several advantages, which is why it is commonly used in healthcare fields for a variety of purposes. This type of wire can transform at lower temperatures which fall within the range of the temperatures generated by our bodies. The wire is resistant to corrosion, much like other types of metals used in this field, such as titanium or stainless steel. NiTinol does provide biocompatibility, which means that for most people our bodies will not react adversely to the wire when it is used.

NiTinol Wire Has Many Useful Purposes in Healthcare Industries

Some common devices and purposes of NiTinol wire in healthcare fields include guide wires, mandrels, dental applications, frames for eyeglasses and stents. This type of wire can be used both externally on the outside of the body, as well as internally. Other applications include securing internal devices, like pacemakers, in place, reattaching torn tendons to bones, and as replacement to traditional sutures.