Heat Shrink Tape Information
Heat shrink tape is used because wires should be kept safe all the times. A wire is likely to be damaged, get wet, or exposed to too much heat. And this is where the heat shrink tape enters the picture.
There are some basic applications that use heat shrink tapes. These include identification of wires, exhibit, splicing and patching of polyethylene and protection of surface.
Heat shrink tape is to protect the wires and cables like heat shrink tubing. It usually contains polyolefin material. This polyolefin tape combines the heat shrink sleeves and molded shapes. It designed as an insulator and a fastener for open areas when heat shrinks tubing cannot be applied. It helps to keep wires from corrosion and moistures. Heat shrink tape can be used without any disconnection of the wires or cables. It can also create normal splicing on ruined cables. It also eliminates the leakage of the air in ventilation or vacuum systems. As long as the temperature is manageable, this tape can be used in different locations. This is also serves as a waterproof protection for cables.
Heat shrink tape has the standard sizes in width and length of reel; three-fourths inch, one inch, one and one-half inches, two inches, three inches, four inches and six inches in its width and fifty inches, eighty inches and one hundred inches in its length. It is also available in different colors such as yellow, blue, green and others. There are also different standard properties to consider the quality of the heat shrink tape. These include its rate of the temperature, the strength of its flexibility, its elongation, its point of softening adhesiveness, its strength of adhesiveness peeling, strength of it lap shear adhesiveness, its flexibility on the decrease of temperature, its absorption of water, its volume resistance, the breakdown of dielectric, and the thickness of the backing tape and its adhesive.
Heat shrink tape can be installed quickly and reliably.
- Clean first the surface before applying the tape. The surface should be free from any sharp objects or dirt.
- Plug in the propane torch or the heat tape gun. It is necessary to do the preheating procedure of the wire with recommended temperature to remove the moisture. In this manner, the adhesive would be bonded and flowed–out.
- Then, pull the tape from the roll and place it to the surface to be tied.
- The heat shrink tape should be wrapped tightly and circularly around the wire with overlapping on its side. The first end should be warmed and pressed down to secure it firmly.
- Use a pair of scissors in cutting the tape.
- Put a masking tape on the end of the heat shrink tape.
- The last layer of tape should be heated to tighten it to object. The part of an object with heat shrink tape should be cooled before holding it. The heat can release the strength and weakens the heat shrink tape.
The strongest ability of the tape to bind is when it shrinks and reached its compressive property. Otherwise, the tape would be melted if excessive heat was applied. Experts recommend using light heat. The impulse of removing the tape from its roll should be avoided. When it happened, cut the tape before using. The tape will be smoother and can be bind the wire evenly. It is also not advised to apply tape to any painted parts. The adhesive might leave residues and can damage the paint upon removal. Despite of the strength of the heat shrink tape, any particles such as the mold, grime, dirt present can break the ability to bind.
This heat shrink tape can be purchased through the store or online. The price is ranging from nine dollars up to twenty seven dollars each depends on the chosen length. Cancord and Americover are examples of the company that sells that certain tape. Cancord sells heat shrink tape online with Stock Code Number 39-979. It is only $ 14.11 each. They have heat shrink tapes that yield its best outcome at shrinkable temperature of one hundred thirty degrees Celsius. They have a width of twenty millimeters and length of fifty meters. It can be browsed from their website under tapes of cabling and accessories tools category in the product section.
There is also UK Sales and International Sales that can be contacted through phone. They have their own email where the queries can be posted. The Technical Support is also available to assist the customers from different countries technically. While, Americover sells one of the expensive heat shrink tape. It can be purchased online with the description of AM-706 Tape. It costs $ 25.30 each. This tape has width of six inches and has length of one hundred eighty feet. It is available in white, clear, blue and black. Heat shrink tape prices are negotiable (for bulk orders) through the phone.