Insulation and water resistance: What can heat shrink tubing handle?

Heat shrink tubing is an indispensable tool for protecting and insulating electrical wiring. But how versatile is it really? In this blog we answer four frequently asked questions about heat shrink tubing:

• Is heat shrink tubing waterproof?
• Is heat shrink tubing insulating?
• Can heat shrink tubing withstand gasoline?
• Can you use heat shrink tubing on electrical wires?

Not all heat shrink tubing is waterproof by default. Single-wall heat shrink tubing does provide protection against moisture, but is not completely waterproof. If you want a truly waterproof seal, choose medium-wall heat shrink tubing with adhesive. This contains an inner layer that melts and adheres to the cables when heated. This creates a strong, waterproof seal, ideal for outdoor use, humid environments or underground applications.

Yes. Heat shrink tubing is basically designed as electrical insulation. It prevents short circuits, protects against contact with conductors and increases the safety of a connection. The heat shrink tubing in our range is, depending on the type, suitable for use in low and medium voltage applications.

That depends on the material. Most standard heat shrink tubing is made of polyolefin, which has limited resistance to chemicals like gasoline. With prolonged exposure, the tubing can weaken or dissolve. For environments with fuels or oil (such as in vehicles or industrial applications), special heat shrink tubing is available. For example, in our range you can find heat shrink tubing made from Viton® and Kynar®, which offer excellent resistance to fuels, oil and solvents.

Absolutely. Heat shrink tubing is often used on electrical wires, for example: 

• After soldering two wires together
• For repairing damaged insulation
• As color coding
• For bundling multiple wires 

Always ensure that the heat shrink tubing fits well over the stripped connection and use a heat gun for even heating. Do you need help choosing the right heat shrink tubing for your application? We're happy to help you further. Contact us or check out our range of standard and specially designed heat shrink tubing.