Fluoroplastic Heat Shrinkable Sleeves
Easy shrink FEP and high temperature PTFE
2 mm to 200 mm diameter (and larger!)
PTFE or FEP sleeving is the ultimate choice for applications that need high resistance to temperature, chemicals, solvents, UV light etc. With a choice of shrink ratios up to 4:1, working temperature of up to 260° C, the applications for these materials is limitless.
Newly developed production methods mean that these heat-shrink sleeves can now be competitive with inferior polymers such as polyolefin and PVDF and with their use product quality can be improved with little or no extra cost. We offer the choice of PTFE or FEP heat-shrink sleeving both having their own special properties both in shrinking characteristics and in working performance.
Adtech PTFE heat-shrink sleeves are made from pure virgin PTFE with no fillers or additives and therefore offer all the exceptional properties of PTFE. The major characteristic is a upper continuous working temperature of 260° C.
This exceeds that of any other heat-shrink polymer. In addition it is completely resistant to virtually all chemicals, and UV radiation. It is available in 4:1 and 2:1 shrink ratios, and the shrinking temperature is 327° C.
Like PTFE heat-shrink, FEP offers all the unique properties of fluoroplastics, but with one exceptional addition. Whilst the maximum continuous working temperature of FEP is 200° C. its shrinking temperature is only 110° C. This means it can safely be shrunk over temperature sensitive materials without damage. Couple this property with its transparency, complete chemical resistance, total UV resistance and non stick nature you have a very unique material.
Size Range
Adtech manufacture and stock a very wide range of sizes of both PTFE and FEP heat shrink sleeves. Sleeves with supplied diameters from 1.5mm to 150mm are available from stock PFA sleeves together with custom sizes can be made to order.
Dual Wall PTFE/FEP
Adtech FIP dual wall heat-shrink sleeving consists of an outer sleeve of PTFE heat-shrink and an integral inner wall of meltable FEP. When the outer sleeve is shrunk down at 330 deg. C, the FEP inner is melted and flows over the component underneath. When cooled the PTFE and FEP form a fused mass encapsulating the component. If the component uses PTFE or FEP insulated cable (e.g. on a temperature sensing element) the melted FEP will adhere to the to the cable thus sealing the component. Using Adtech FIP it is possible to "pot" components in pure FEP and protect them against mechanical and chemical exposure in even immersed conditions.
Dual wall PTFE/PFA for very high temperature use (up to 260 degree C.) can me manufactured to special order.
Selection and Use of Adtech Heat Shrink Sleeving
FEP heat-shrink sleeve is much the easiest to use followed by 2:1 PTFE then 4:1 PTFE, therefore if other factors are not critical, select in this order of preference. Select size by allowing a generous amount of shrinkage rather than using a tight sleeve if possible. Hot air guns are the preferred method of applying heat. FEP shrinks down at easily at 110°C, and PTFE needs, 330 deg. C, so gun temperatures should be at least 200°C and 400°C respectively.
To obtain the higher temperature we suggest a hot air gun of 1.5 kW capacity. Parts to be covered that have a large thermal mass, e.g. a solid steel roller, may need preheating when particularly with PTFE .
To prevent chilling of the PTFE, causing a loose fit heating the object in an oven at 400°C can be used to advantage to shrink the PTFE sleeve, particularly when a number of parts are to be covered. Our technical dept. are always pleased to offer advice, or cover sample items for customers. We also offer a covering service for large numbers or difficult items.
See our stock lists below for range of standard sizes.
FEP 1:1.4 Shrink Ratio - Sizes
Custom sizes made to order.
Heat shrink data sheet as .pdf file available here
Adtech Polymer Engineering Ltd.. Unit 40 Aston Down East, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 8HX, England
