Rating of the best heat shrink tubing for 2024

The most important condition for the effective operation of electrical wiring is its reliable and safe isolation from the external environment. In order to achieve the proper level of insulation, the wires are covered with special insulating covers, which sometimes (for example, during repair or installation work) must be removed. Thus, the used covers should contain two main properties: reliable insulation of current-carrying wires and the possibility of their quick removal without damaging the insulated objects.

When performing any electrical work, for example, installing electrical outlets, installing taps and connections, and other work - the final stage will always be the process of restoring wire insulation. The traditional means for performing this stage has always been the use of classical insulating tape. However, for all its advantages, the treated surface often did not meet the best aesthetic characteristics and was often extremely bloated. However, winding the tape itself in a neat way does not always work, and in general it can be inconvenient (especially if the wire being processed is in a hard-to-reach place). Output - heat shrink tubes.

Heat shrink tube: concept and principle of operation

In order to avoid the use of electrical tape in the production of electrical work, craftsmen use heat shrink tubes. They can be called differently: heat-shrinkable, and heat-shrinkable, and thermocambric, or simply heat-shrinkable or heat-shrinkable - it's all the same.

Such a tube itself is an excellent alternative to electrical tape and looks like a short (usually no more than a few centimeters) tubular section made of thermopolymer. The tube is pushed at the place where the current-carrying wires are fastened, then hot air of a certain temperature from a building hair dryer is supplied to it (or it is simply warmed up with a lighter if the connection is small), due to which it compresses and insulates the place of the wire connection.

The material for making the tube is selected in such a way that it meets several criteria:

• It had excellent properties in the field of electrical insulation;
• Significantly narrowed when heated;
• Possessed the minimum value of compression along the axis (i.e., when heated, the compression ratio should be in the range from 2 to 6 units).

Typically, heat pipes are made from the following materials:

• Fluoropolymer;
• Polyester;
• Plastic PVC;
• Rubber elastomer;
• Polyolefin polymers.

The introduction of other impurities into the composition of the material is possible to create special-purpose tubes, which will depend on the conditions where they will be used.

Scope of application

Naturally, the main purpose of thermocambrics is electrical insulation of wiring contacts, but they can also be used in other areas, for example:

• Extra-large-diameter shrink sleeves are installed on the butt of power line poles, which are made of wood or metal, and are located underground. This operation significantly reduces the risk of metal corrosion or premature decay of wood.
• Thermotubes with a ribbed outer surface can be installed on the handles of various objects of sports equipment or construction tools. Due to the enhanced grip of the hand with the surface of the object, confident use of such tools is achieved and increased ergonomics is provided.
• Tubes made with Teflon or fluoroplastic can be used in extreme environmental conditions, since they are able to withstand temperature drops from +260 to -65 degrees Celsius. With regard to heat resistance, such thermocambric is even able to withstand the presence of an open fire source in the immediate vicinity.
• Thermal shrinkage can also be used to insulate water pipes laid in an aggressive underground environment (for example, often freezing soil).
• The heat shrink sleeves can be used to seal individual cable cores, even with external insulation. In this case, together with thermal tubes, a special tape is also used, which fills the space between the cores.
• In the end, using a heat pipe, you can turn an ordinary tool into a dielectric. For example, you just need to put the tube on the handle of a screwdriver or hammer.

Types of heat shrinkable tubes

The easiest way to divide them is by the type of material from which they are made:

• Elastomeric made from synthetic rubber. The main property of such thermocampers is increased resistance to high positive temperatures (they can withstand up to +175 degrees Celsius) and to the aggressive effects of fuels and lubricants. However, the demand for such products is low due to their high cost.
• Polyester pipes are considered more popular due to their increased strength and stability, and their price / quality ratio is more acceptable. Therefore, such heat shrinks are most in demand in the electrical industry.
• Silicone heat-shrinkable products have an extremely flexible and non-toxic structure and are chemically extremely inert. However, their main disadvantage is their low resistance to organic solvents, which is why they are not used in areas where contact with fuels and lubricants is possible.
• Polyolefin tubes are made of polyethylene and are "stitched" by chemical or radiation methods. Various colorants and plasticizers, as well as other substances capable of suppressing combustion, can also be added to this base. Similar heat shrinkage is used to insulate wires that will be constantly exposed to extremely high or extremely low temperatures - from +125 to -50 degrees Celsius. In addition, they calmly interact with benzene and other strong oxidants, however, they are weakly resistant to the influence of fuels and lubricants.
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes have increased electrical insulating properties. Their main drawback is that they are sensitive to temperature extremes and the range of their application is limited by the temperature range of -20 to +50 degrees Celsius.Among other things, they are poorly resistant to fire and emit super-toxic substances during combustion.
• Fluoropolymer tubes are the most advanced and modern, have almost all the positive chemical and physical properties of the above types, but they are poorly used, since the technology of their manufacture is extremely costly and laborious, which makes the price of such cambric very high.

Also, the tubes can differ in the principle of installation: they come with an internal adhesive base (with sealing) and without it (without sealing). In the first case, after installing the tube on the wires, the entire inter-core space is filled with a special glue included in the kit, which provides additional insulation and tightness. Sealed tubing is the least prone to shrinkage.

The tubes themselves may still differ in terms of the shrinkage coefficient, which is indicated by the manufacturer on the package - that is, the initial diameter and diameter after treatment with a hairdryer are indicated. For example, "20 mm - 2 to 1 shrinkage".

Advantages and disadvantages of heat shrink

The main advantages include:

• Extreme simplicity of working with them - to fix them, it is enough just to correctly adjust the temperature of the air flow directed to the treated area so that the heat shrinkage tightly compresses the wires;
• Tubes are in demand in a whole range of other areas not related to electrical engineering;
• In comparison with electrical tape, heat shrinkage exceeds it in strength and durability (electrical tape can unwind over time), as well as ease of installation;
• Thermocambric can be made in various color variations, which allows the electrician to use them to mark individual core connections and wires.

Disadvantages include:

• One-time use of this product (once it is secured, it will not be possible to reuse it);
• A slightly higher price (in comparison with the same electrical tape);
• For operations with a heat pipe, it is desirable to have a mounting hair dryer.

Competent choice of thermocambric

Specification of the task for which the product is selected will play an important role here. However, the selection algorithm is straightforward:

• Depending on the environment in which the product will be used, the thermal cambric material is selected;
• It is also necessary to pay attention to the shrinkage coefficient of the product after the completion of processing - this is especially important if the tube will be installed in hard-to-reach places;
• The length of the tube is always chosen taking into account its reduction by 10% after processing;
• Additionally, you need to take into account the temperature at which the installation must be carried out.

Features of assembly and installation

Tereotubes can be supplied as coils or in separate sets, in which the tubes can be sorted by diameter and length. Most often, the packaging of the latter is made in standard plastic bags of 50-100 pieces.

To work with the products, you will need a sharp knife or scissors - for cutting to length and a hot air gun or a heat gun - for shrinking. In extreme cases, the fixing of the product can be carried out using a conventional lighter - the main thing is to observe the temperature regime of installation.

Rating of the best heat shrink tubing for 2024

Sealed samples

3rd place: 3M MDT-A-12/3 medium wall

Designed for the production of adhesive based heat shrinkage used as a sealant. It has excellent electrical insulating properties and provides excellent protection against premature rusting. Thanks to the adhesive base, all voids and irregularities inside the tube are completely filled. The product has increased resistance to chemicals and ultraviolet radiation.

• Increased shrinkage factor, not typical for a sealed sample;
• Modern manufacturing material - polyolefin;
• Extended range of applications - connection of cables, pipes, couplings.

• Small complete set.

2nd place: 3M MDT-A-32 / 7.5 medium wall

Designed for insulation based on adhesive hermetically sealed high-voltage wires, hoses, cables, mainly used in industry. Can be used on small water pipes. Possesses enhanced insulating properties and increased service life. Popular model of the leading American brand "3M".

• A self-extinguishing mechanism is implemented in the fire resistance of the tube;
• Made from advanced material;
• UV resistant.

• It is not widely used in the Russian market.

1st place: 3M MDT-A-70/26

The tube is excellent for both sealing wired components and assemblies of a car, and for insulating various connections on the street. Resistance to humid environments is especially noted: thanks to the adhesive base, it reliably seals and absolutely does not allow water to pass through. Due to increased shrinkage and high-quality adhesive base, it significantly surpasses Russian counterparts in terms of price / quality ratio.

• Extended scope of application;
• Increased moisture resistance;
• Made from advanced materials.

• For a Russian buyer, the price may be somewhat overpriced.

Samples without sealing

3rd place: EKF HERE 21 100mm 6275365

The most standard set for household use. There are several color options for tubes of different diameters. Designed for marking rather than complete insulation. Maintains minimum strength and shrinkage requirements. However, all the disadvantages are offset by the extremely cheap price.

• Quite budget cost;
• The set is perfect for marking individual sets of cores;
• A sufficient number of pieces in the package;
• Variety of colors.

• Limited functionality.

2nd place: Set of heat shrinkable tubes Vympel HERE-35 5164

The kit includes 5 different colors and different tube diameters, which means excellent variability. Shrinkage requires a standard rather than elevated temperature (only + 125 degrees Celsius). The tubes tightly wrap the parts to be joined, leaving practically no voids. The set is directly focused on work in the field of housing and communal services and electrical engineering, with it it is very convenient to mark individual connections.

• Affordable price;
• Five-fold variability of choice;
• Great functionality for its field.

• Small voids may appear after installation.

1st place: JTC-2041 mini-box

This tube is considered a professional consumable and can be used in various industries: radio engineering, electrical engineering, for performing electrical work. The product is characterized by excellent electrical insulation, is very easy to use, stored in a convenient cardboard case, from where just as much material as needed is removed. Differs in tight shrinkage.

• Reduced temperature for shrinkage (only 70 degrees Celsius);
• Used advanced material;
• Significant coil size.

• Violation of the integrity of the cover is possible when interacting with fuels and lubricants.

Instead of an epilogue

Today, finding the above-described products will not be difficult on the Russian market. Not only foreign, but also Russian brands are popular, the latter even to a greater extent, due to democratic prices. However, the former are potential leaders in the popularity of their hermetic models. In general, this product, due to some simplicity of its manufacture, does not imply any super-high cost, therefore, thermocambric can be purchased at least in retail stores, at least on Internet sites.