What Is Adhesive-lined Heat Shrink Tubing?
Adhesive-lined heat shrink tubing has an internal layer of hot melt glue that forms a watertight seal when heated. Sometimes called double-walled sleeving, adhesive heat shrinkable tubing offers two layers of protection, the tubing itself and the solidified layer of glue. When heated to above 120 degrees Celsius, polyolefin adhesive tubing shrinks to a third of its expanded (unshrunk) diameter to clamp tightly around a cable or connector. At the same time, the glue melts and fills crevices and cracks under the tubing to create corrosion and a water-resistant seal. Polyolefin tubing has a high dielectric strength of 700 volts per mil (one-thousandth of an inch) making it an excellent insulator.
17 items
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HST321-1$0.00 / 500 FT
- Approx LBS/MFT: 65.00
- Dielectric Strength: 700 V/mil
- Expanded I.D. (in): 1.000
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HST321-1 1/2$0.00 / 500 FT
- Approx LBS/MFT: 120.00
- Dielectric Strength: 700 V/mil
- Expanded I.D. (in): 1.500
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HST321-1/2$0.00 / 500 FT
- Approx LBS/MFT: 32.00
- Dielectric Strength: 700 V/mil
- Expanded I.D. (in): 0.500
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HST321-1/2 4$0.00 / 1000 FT
- Dielectric Strength: 200 V/mil
- Max. Temp: 110C
- Max. Tensile Strength: 1300 psi
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HST321-1/4$0.00 / 500 FT
- Approx LBS/MFT: 18.00
- Dielectric Strength: 700 V/mil
- Expanded I.D. (in): 0.250
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HST321-1/8$0.00 / 500 FT
- Approx LBS/MFT: 13
- Dielectric Strength: 700 V/mil
- Expanded I.D. (in): 0.118
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HST321-3/4$0.00 / 500 FT
- Dielectric Strength: 700 V/mil
- Expanded I.D. (in): 0.750
- Material: Adhesive Lined Irradiated Polyolefin (PO)
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HST321-3/4-100$0.00 / 1000 FT
- CSA Type: OFT
- Dielectric Strength: 400 V/mil
- Max. Temp: 135C
How Does Adhesive-lined Heat Shrink Tubing Work?
During the manufacturing process, an extrusion machine continuously extrudes raw heat shrink sleeving. Using irradiation processes, the manufacturer cross-links the polymer to create a thermoplastic material. Using heat, the manufacturer expands the tubing to its expanded or unshrunk diameter and allows the material to cool down to ambient temperature.
When reheated with a heat gun, the cross-linked polyolefin sleeving shrinks back to its original diameter while the glue melts. Allied Wire and Cable polyolefin adhesive heat shrink tubing has a shrink ratio of 3:1, which means it shrinks to a third of its expanded diameter. The tubing also shrinks longitudinally by approximately 15%.
Applications for Polyolefin Adhesive-lined Heat Shrink Tubing
You use adhesive-lined heat shrink tubing when you need to create a durable water-tight seal. A specific advantage of using hot melt adhesive is that the glue melts and fills any small gaps left by the tubing when it shrinks. When matched with a 3:1 shrink ratio, polyolefin heat shrink tubing applications include:
- Covering irregular shapes: A high shrink ratio and hot melt adhesive combine to form an excellent seal over components with asymmetrical or nonuniform shapes.
- Outdoor cable connections: Excellent for terminating outdoor CATV cables, utility connections and environmental sealing.
- Corrosion-resistant: The watertight seal prevents internal corrosion due to acids and alkalis.
- Water ingress: When carefully installed, adhesive shrink tubing forms a waterproof seal.
- Field installations and repairs: Easy to use when making field repairs and cable splices.
- Manufacturing processes: Easily incorporated into manufacturing processes.
Alternative Types of Adhesive Heat Shrink Tubing
AWC stocks a wide variety of military specification double-walled, adhesive filled heat shrink tubing, including:
- M23053/4 2:1 Adhesive-lined Polyolefin: A thin-walled, flexible adhesive heat shrink tubing with a 2:1 shrink ratio.
- M23053/4 2.5:1 Adhesive-lined Semi-Rigid Polyolefin: A slightly thicker wall tubing that's semi-rigid with a 2.5:1 shrink ratio.
- M23053/15 3:1 Adhesive-lined Medium Wall Polyolefin: A heavy-duty adhesive heat shrink tubing with a relatively thick wall and a 3:1 shrink ratio.
- M23053/15 3:1 Adhesive-lined Heavy Wall Polyolefin: A similar, but slightly thicker adhesive heat shrink tubing with a 3:1 shrink ratio that’s thermally stabilized.
Specifications for Polyolefin Adhesive Heat Shrink Tubing
| Material: | Cross-Linked Polyolefin (XLPE) |
| Glue: | Hot Melt Glue |
| Shrink Temperature: | Minimum of 120°C |
| Shrink Ratio: | 3:1 |
| Longitudinal Shrinkage: | 15% |
| Expanded Sizes: | 3/64 inches to 1.5 inches in diameter |
| Operating Temperature Range: | -55°C to 110°C |
| Maximum Voltage (UL): | 600 volts |
| Moisture Absorption: | 0.3% |
| Tensile Strength: | 2100 pounds per square inch |
| Insulation Properties: | Dielectric strength of 700 volts per mil |
Approvals
Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS)-compliant