The main materials of heat shrink tubing include polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyester (PET), cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), etc. These materials have different characteristics and application scenarios:
Polyethylene (PE): PE heat shrink tubing has good insulation and wear resistance, and its price is relatively low. It is widely used in insulation protection of wires and cables and sealing of connection parts. After improvement, PE heat shrink tubing with hot melt adhesive coated on the inner wall also has waterproof function.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): PVC heat shrink tubing has certain chemical corrosion resistance, but low temperature resistance. It is often used for insulation protection of ordinary cables and has low cost.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE): PTFE heat shrink tubing has extremely high temperature resistance and chemical corrosion resistance. It is often used for cable protection in harsh environments such as high temperature, strong acid and strong alkali, such as aerospace and chemical fields.
Polyester (PET): PET heat shrink tubing is suitable for cable protection that requires high mechanical strength and wear resistance, and is often used in wire harnesses in industrial equipment.
Cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) : XLPE heat shrink tubing has excellent electrical properties and aging resistance, and is mainly used for insulation and sealing of power cable terminals and intermediate joints.
In addition, the development of heat shrink tubing can be traced back to the 1950s, when it was initially used for electrical insulation and cable protection. With the advancement of technology, the application areas of heat shrink tubing have continued to expand, including electrical, electronic, and communications fields. Heat shrink tubing is heated to a highly elastic state and then cooled to a fixed shape. When heated again, it can restore to a highly elastic state and fit tightly to the surface of the object, providing good insulation, sealing, and protection.