The BH-MT-PET-CB ultra thin wall heat shrink tubing, made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), offers exceptional flexibility, durability, and high radial shrinkage. To maximize its performance, follow these expert tips for proper sizing, temperature control, and application techniques
1. Choosing the Correct Size for Your Components
A precise fit is critical for optimal performance. Here’s how to select the right size:
Tight Fit Principle: Ensure the tubing’s pre-shrink diameter’s no more than 15% larger than the maximum diameter of your component.
Why 15%? Exceeding this gap can lead to uneven shrinkage, poor adhesion, or reduced mechanical protection.
Measurement Tip: Always measure the largest diameter of your part before selecting tubing.
2. Mastering Shrink Temperature Settings
Temperature Range: 70°C–190°C (158°F–374°F)
Recommended Setting: For most applications, 150°C (302°F) provides balanced shrinkage.
3. Controlling Shrinkage: Radial vs. Axial
Uncontrolled shrinkage can compromise the tubing’s performance.
Natural Shrinkage: PET tubing shrinks both radially (diameter) and axially (length) by default. Limit total shrinkage to 15%–20% for the best overall performance comes in most applications.
Restricting Axial Shrinkage: Hold the ends of the tubing firmly during heating to prevent lengthwise contraction. This forces the material to shrink radially up to 50% or more, depending on temperature
Use Case: Ideal for components requiring tight radial compression without sacrificing length.
4. Tube Drawing for Extreme Radial Shrinkage (Up to 50%+)
Need ultra-tight compression? The tube drawing method delivers exceptional results:
Apply Axial Tension: Stretch the tubing gently while heating.
Temperature Guidance:
Below 100°C (212°F): Achieve >50% radial shrinkage.
Up to 190°C (374°F): Maximize shrinkage for demanding applications.
Key Benefit: This technique reduces diameter significantly while maintaining axial stability.
5. Preventing Wrinkles
Improper Technique - Wrinkles or creases occur due to uncontrolled shrinkage.
Recommended Procedure
Step 1: Position heat-shrink tubing onto target component. Maintain tension on both terminal sections throughout heating process to inhibit wrinkles.
Step 2: Begin apply heating at midpoint using rotational motion, progressively extending heat application toward the length end while maintaining consistent material rotation.
Note: For enhanced higher radial shrinkage, implement controlled longitudinal tension during the heating phase to attain a greater shrink ratio.
