Heat Shrink Tubing

Explore our heat shrink tubing selection, with everything you need to protect your cables with heat shrink.

We offer various types of tubing, along with essential application tools like heat guns, nozzles and gas refills.

Need something not on our website? Email us at sales@expresselectrical.co.uk and we may be able to source it for you!

What is heat shrink tubing?

Heat shrink tubing, sometimes called heat shrink sleeving, is a plastic tube that insulates cables or wires, providing protection from abrasion and environmental factors. It shrinks onto the cable it is slipped over when sufficient heat is applied. It is mostly used in electrical work to provide protection and insulation. It is most often made of polyolefin, but is manufactured with various properties, colours and sizes.


What is adhesive lined heat shrink tubing?

Adhesive lined heat shrink tubing is heat shrink tubing that has an inner adhesive lining, which melts when heat is applied, providing a more complete and solid sealed protection. This is a moisture-proof solution that is also extra resistant to environmental conditions such as shaking or vibrating, for example.


Can I cut heat shrink tubing?

You can easily cut heat shrink tubing, to the length you desire with just a pair of scissors. Heat shrink tubing is extruded to have an internal diameter the same or smaller than the desired shrunk size. It is then expanded to at least its supplied diameter (the size your order) and ready to be shrunk back to its original size. To ensure you order the correct size you should measure with a micrometre or vernier the diameter of the wire you want to cover then go for the next heat shrink size up which will comfortably exceed this measurement. Important, please note there is no relation to the wire conductor size!
You can cut heat shrink tubing with a sharp tool such as a knife or scissors, or you can use cutting machinery for more precise and sharp cutting.


Is heat shrink tubing flexible?

Heat shrink tubing is a flexible material that can go over different sizes of cables and terminals. The bigger its ratio, the more it will shrink down, meaning it can go over a cable section with parts of various sizes, as long as it’s chosen correctly.
Clear heat shrink tubing is a great pick for cables where you want to see through the tube and keep what is underneath it visible. It can also be used to give added protection to heat shrink markers.


Benefits of our heat shrink products:

  • Electrical Insulation - Heat shrink prevents electrical hazards by providing a protective barrier around wires.
  • Strain Relief - Heat shrink reduces stress on connection points, safeguarding wires from damage.
  • Organisation and Bundling - Ideal for streamlining installations by grouping and organising wires.
  • Identification and Colour Coding - Available in various colour options for easy wire identification.


What is heat shrink used for?

Whether in construction, manufacturing, or telecommunications, heat shrink is the professional choice for insulating and safeguarding wires. It forms a durable plastic seal, protecting wires from abrasion and harsh weather conditions. It's also fire-retardant and offers easy installation.


What is the heat shrink process?

The heat shrink process involves applying heat, often using an electric or gas heat gun, to make plastic tubing shrink to size. It's a reliable technique to protect and insulate wire and cables. Once you’ve slipped the unshrunk tube over your cable, apply heat with the hot air gun moving around the surface of the heat shrink tube until it has tightly shrunk. Your heat shrink tube application is complete!


What should I use to heat shrink?

When it comes to heat shrink applications, a heat gun is your reliable companion. Heat guns provide precise control, ensuring that heat shrink tubing fits perfectly. For electricians and professionals who frequently work with heat shrink materials, a quality hot air gun is a valuable tool.


Why do electricians use heat guns?

Electricians use heat guns mainly to shrink cable tubing. However, they also can be used to dry adhesives quicker, check if thermostats are working, unfreeze locks, speed up the drying of paint touch-ups, and melt soft solder.


Types of Heat Shrink Products We Offer

  • General-Purpose Heat Shrink (Polyolefin) - A flexible, flame retardant, general purpose heat shrinkable polyolefin available in reels or mini reels
  • Zero-Halogen Heat Shrink - A zero halogen, flame retardant heat shrinkable polyolefin with 2:1 shrink ratio and excellent electrical, physical and chemical properties
  • Adhesive-Lined Heat Shrink - An adhesive lined flexible polyolefin which provides a moisture proof seal after shrink recovery
  • Diesel-Resistant Heat Shrink - Resistant to aviation and diesel fuels, hydraulic fluids and lubricating oils and suitable for long-term fluid exposure at high-temperatures
  • Low-Toxicity Heat Shrink - Flexible, thick-wall, heat-shrinkable with low smoke emission and low evolution of acid gases. Useful in marine applications, mass transit systems, and offshore installations
  • Busbar Insulating Heat Shrink - Manufactured from a non-halogen based polymer and suitable for both circular and rectangular copper or aluminium busbars. Shrinks snugly over the busbar profile ensuring the minimum wall thickness is obtained
  • High Voltage Busbar Tape (HVBT) - HVBT is a heat shrink, adhesive-coated tape which provides insulation and protection against accidentally induced flashovers. Combines the integrity of heat shrink tubing with the versatility of wraparound products.
  • Heat Guns and Accessories - Essential tools for precise heat shrink applications. We stock Steinel heat guns, cordless hot air guns and various nozzles and gas refill accessories.


Any more questions about heat shrink tubing?

Email us at sales@expresselectrical.co.uk and our sales team will be happy to answer!

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