Adhesive Heat shrink Tubing
What is it?
Adhesive heat shrink tubing is a product normally used in
the electrical industry to seal over splicing, harness breakouts and sealing
cable ends against moisture.
How does it work?
Normally comes in either a pre cut lengths or as a roll.
With an adhesive backing on the inside the user would place the tubing over the
electrical ends they are trying to seal. Then using a heat source such as a
blow torch they then would delicately pass the heat over the tube to begin the
shrinking process.
Usually made out of nylon or polyolefin and extruded during
the manufacturing process. The reason the adhesive heat shrink tubing shrinks
when heated is because as the user add heat it loosens the molecules in the
plastic tubing and want to return to the size they were before manufacturing.
Think of it as like an elastic band. When you stretch it naturally wants to
return to its un-stretched position.
Manufacturing process
Adhesive heat shrink tubing is manufactured from
thermoplastic materials and made in many different colours, shapes and sizes
giving the customer the ability to colour code wiring which helps a lot when
working with electrics.
Most heat shrink tubing is made for the purpose of
insulation in mind but companies have started to produce adhesive heat shrink
tubing with a conductive metal strip inside to rule out the need of soldering
wire before applying the adhesive heat shrink tubing but, some consider this
bad practice and workmanship.
This article is from Hilltop Products - Hilltop Products are Heat Shrink Tubing Suppliers
As a cable installer, I understand the essentials of Heat Shrink Tubing for cable wires. It helps protect wires from damages and causing hazards such as electrical fires. It also prevents corrosion of wires and enhances waterproofing capabilities.
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