It's time to put in prospective the subject of shrink tubing use and types.
There are many types of " tubing " .
Irradiated Polyolefin
Teflon
Neoprene
Kynar
Viton
PVC
Each has it's own properties that lends itself to the specific application
and need.
Polyolefin: 2:1 @ 121c also 3:1, 4:1
Colors available
In the electronics OEM world, Irradiated Poly is the norm, not saying that
this is an absolute, some manufactures use a variety of different products
for a variety of different applications.
In the automotive world the use of Irradiated Poly is widely accepted, some
applications call for the addition of an intermelt liner. The intermelt
linner consists of a meltable inner wall that when heated in excess of 135c
softens and forces by the shrinking of the poly makes a weather tight seal.
This is a great seal, but the cost for this product is 4 times the price of
a standard poly.
Tubing has different shrink ratios per the product. 2:0 is a norm up to 4:0
as a high.
PVC is what the average person will see in Radio Shack and other like
consumer outlets, to get the original OEM products you need to do a little
research and ask about the applications for the use.
Teflon:
2:1 also 4:1
Colors available at a premium
Rated at 250c
Used mostly in Aerospace, Electronics, Chemical, Medical, Nuclear, and other
extreme applications.
The tubing requires 650f (350c) to start to shrink.
Neoprene:
2:1 @135c
Black only
Rated at 120c
Very expensive, used in tough flexible applications.
Kynar:
2:1 @ 150c
Clear only
A derivative of Teflon.
A tough thin wall tubing with outstanding cut-through and abrasion
resistance. Used almost exclusively by the military and other manufacturers
of extreme exposure applications.
Viton:
2:1 @ 200c
Black standard
Fluoroelstomeric tubing able to withstand a wide variety of fuels,
lubricants, acids, and highly corrosive fluids at temperatures AT 200c.
PVC:
2:1 @ 121c also 4:1 @ 121c
Any color !
Low cost, non irradiated tubing that is available at just about any
electronics supplier in the world.
As afford mentioned, there is a mired of product types to choose from. As a
fellow English Car enthusiast, I wouldn't want to use an inferior product
because I didn't know the difference.
So now you know, Knowledge is POWER.
Craig Smith
36 Pelham Ridge Drive
Greenville, SC 29615
800/692-2323 ext. 2105
864/234-1020 fax
e-mail: craigs@iewc.com
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