This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Heat Shrink Tubing category on DigiKey.com
Heat Shrink Tubing are hollow tubes of woven material with both ends open. These tubes become smaller in size as they warmed by hot air or a flame. Most often used as insulation material when connecting wires together, these tubes can be used to group wires together, or insulate items from mechanical wear plus a lot more. The shrinking ratio ranges from 1.2:1 to 6:1 with lengths from 0.031’ (9.52mm, 0.38”) to 6562.0’ (2000.0m) and an inner diameter ranges of 0.014” (0.36mm) to 11.220” (284.99mm).
SelectionCharacteristics
Type: Defines the primary construction style of the device, indicating which type of part it is and determining its general usage.
Shrinkage Ratio: The nominal ratio of a material’s inner diameter before and after recovery or “heat shrinking”.
Length: The length of the product
Inner Diameter - Supplied: Material inner diameter as supplied in a pre-recovery or “before-shrinking” state. Typically quoted as a minimum value.
Inner Diameter - Recovered: Material inner diameter after being completely recovered or “shrunk”. Typically quoted as a maximum value.
Recovered Wall Thickness: Typical wall thickness of the tubing after unconstrained recovery or “shrinking.”
Material: Indicates the material composition of the device
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as Chemical Resistant, UV Resistant, or Self Extinguishing.
Color: The color of the device.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
Shrink Temperature: The temperature to which the material must be heated to cause shrinkage.
Storage/Refrigeration Temperature: The temperature at which the manufacturer recommends the product be stored before use.
Shelf Life: The manufacturer’s specified shelf life for the product. Shelf life begins from date of manufacture.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | Q5-3X-3/8-01-QB48IN-25 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | Q53X038B-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Qualtek |
| DESCRIPTION | Heat Shrink Tubing, Flexible 0.354" (8.99mm) 3 to 1 Black 4.00’ (1.22m) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | DR-25-1/8-0-SP |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | A124391-DS-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | TE Connectivity Aerospace, Defense and Marine |
| DESCRIPTION | Heat Shrink Tubing, Flexible 0.125" (3.18mm) 2 to 1 Black Enter Number of Feet in Order Quantity |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | F3501/8 CL064 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | F3501/8CL064-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Alpha Wire |
| DESCRIPTION | Heat Shrink Tubing, Flexible 0.125" (3.18mm) 2 to 1 Clear 0.500’ (152.40mm, 6.00") |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | FP301-3/8-48"-GREEN-125 PCS |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 3M161448-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | 3M |
| DESCRIPTION | Heat Shrink Tubing, Flexible 0.375" (9.53mm) 2 to 1 Green 4.00’ (1.22m) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Videos
How to Properly Inspect Heat-Shrink Tubing Size
All Heat Shrink Tubing Videos
Articles
Selecting the Appropriate Heat Shrink Tubing
TechForum
Heat-Shrink Tubing Expiration Date? Storage?
How to measure heatshrink tubing diameter
Heat Shrink Supplied vs Recovered Diameter