How to Use Heat Shrink Tubing Without a Heat Gun

1.Use a hair dryer

A hair dryer can be used as an alternative to a heat gun, but its temperature is usually lower and the shrinking speed is slower. When operating, you need to adjust the hair dryer to the highest temperature, bring the nozzle close to the heat shrink tubing (keep a distance of 10-20 cm), and keep moving the hair dryer to ensure that the heat is evenly distributed. This method is suitable for polyolefin heat shrink tubing with a lower shrinking temperature.

2.Use a lighter

The flame temperature of the lighter is higher, which can shrink the heat shrink tubing quickly, but it is easy to cause local overheating or burning. When using, you need to bring the blue bottom of the flame close to the heat shrink tubing, avoid direct contact, and keep moving the flame to prevent local overheating. This method is suitable for emergency situations, but you need to be extra careful when operating to avoid burns and fire.

3.Use a butane torch

The flame temperature of a butane torch is high and controllable, which is suitable for larger or thicker heat shrink tubing. During operation, the distance between the flame and the heat shrink tube should be controlled to avoid direct contact with the flame to prevent the heat shrink tube from overheating.

4.Use a soldering iron

The soldering iron is suitable for small-sized heat shrink tubes. During operation, the soldering iron should be close to the heat shrink tube, but not in direct contact, and the wrapped object should be rotated continuously to transfer heat evenly. The advantage of this method is that the heat is concentrated, but improper operation can easily burn the heat shrink tube.

5.Use a hot water bath

For some water-resistant heat shrink tubes, they can be immersed in hot water for heating. The advantage of this method is that the heat is uniform, but it is necessary to ensure that the material of the heat shrink tube can withstand the temperature of hot water.

Precautions

Uniform heating: No matter which alternative tool is used, it is necessary to ensure that the heat shrink tube is heated evenly to avoid local overheating or insufficient heating.

Safe operation: When using open flames or high-temperature tools, it is necessary to pay attention to fire prevention and avoid burns.

Choose the right heat shrink tube: Choose the right heat shrink tube material and size according to actual needs, and ensure that its shrinking temperature matches the temperature range of the tool used

FAQ

Notes on Use

1: When shrinking heat shrink tubing, it is recommended to start the shrinking process in the middle part of the tube, then gradually work to one end, and then from the middle to the other end. This can help you avoid air being trapped inside the tube.

2: Heat shrink tubing also shrinks longitudinally, that is, along the length of the heat shrink tubing. This shrinkage factor should be taken into account when cutting heat shrink tubing to a certain length.

3: Longitudinal shrinkage can be minimized by shrinking the ends first and then the middle part. However, if you do this, air may be trapped, which will prevent the middle part from shrinking. Alternatively, you can shrink the tubing from the most critical end and then slowly shrink towards the other end.

4: If the object to be covered is metal or heat-conductive, care must be taken to ensure that the object is preheated to avoid "cold spots" or "cold marks". This ensures a tight fit.

5: When cutting heat shrink tubing and wrap-around sleeves to the desired length, be particularly careful to ensure that the ends are cut smoothly. Improper cutting and irregular edges can cause heat shrink tubing and sleeves to split during the shrinking process.

6: When selecting the tubing size, it is important to take into account the 80:20 rule. This means that the size should be selected to allow a minimum shrinkage of 20% and a maximum shrinkage of 80%. Detailed examples on how to select the right heat shrink tubing can be found in the Insulation Products section of our catalog.

7: During the shrinking process, you should always ensure that the workplace is well ventilated and wear personal protective equipment such as gloves and safety glasses.

Important parameters

Wall thickness:

After complete shrinkage, the material thickness should be stated in millimeters. Generally, you can distinguish between thin-wall, medium-wall and thick-wall. Heat shrink tubing is also available with an adhesive lining, which is also called double-wall tubing.

Diameter:

For thin-wall tubing with a shrinkage ratio of 2:1 (standard tubing), the diameter is usually stated in inches; 25.4 millimeters equals 1 inch.

Shrinkage ratio:

Depending on the material compound used and the wall thickness, heat shrink tubing can be extruded to varying degrees. The shrinkage ratio indicates the rate at which the product shrinks and varies from 2:1 to 6:1. The higher the ratio, the larger the diameter of the object the heat shrink tubing can cover.

Longitudinal Shrinkage:

Heat shrink tubing will not only shrink in diameter, but also in length. The longitudinal change after shrinkage is expressed as a percentage.

Minimum Shrinkage Temperature:

Not all heat shrink tubing shrinks at the same temperature. This depends largely on the type of compound they are made of, as well as the wall thickness.

Operating Temperature:

Operating temperatures vary for each tubing type. When choosing the correct size, it is recommended to follow the 80:20 rule outlined above.

Typically, heat shrink tubing is used in wire harness assemblies. Including insulation, identification and mechanical protection against abrasion as well as aesthetic design.