Heat Shrink Tubing

Heat shrink tubing is an indispensable material in every electronics and modeling workshop. It is special plastic tubing (most commonly polyolefin) that shrinks when heated, conforming perfectly to the shape of the object it covers.

The main uses of heat shrink tubing include:

• Electrical Insulation: Effective and durable protection for solder joints, contacts, and wires against short circuits.
• Mechanical Protection: Safeguarding wires and delicate components from abrasion, moisture, and other external factors.
• Connection Reinforcement: Providing additional stiffening and strain relief at solder points or where wires enter connectors.
• Organizing and Marking Wires: Allowing for bundling of cable harnesses and identification using different colors.
• Aesthetic Improvement: Giving connections a professional and clean finish.

Usage is simple: slide a tube of the appropriate diameter over the connection, then heat it evenly (preferably with a heat gun, or carefully with a lighter) until it shrinks tightly. We offer tubing in a wide range of diameters and colors, sold by the meter or in practical kits.

For heat shrink tubing to perform its function, it must be correctly selected for the application. Pay attention to:

• Diameter: This is the key parameter. Choose tubing with a diameter (before shrinking) slightly larger than the largest dimension of the object you want to insulate, but small enough to shrink tightly onto it after heating. Manufacturers often provide diameters before and after shrinking.
• Shrink Ratio: Indicates how much the tube will reduce its diameter. The most common ratios are 2:1 (shrinks to half its original diameter) and 3:1 (shrinks to one-third). A 3:1 ratio is more versatile when covering irregularly shaped objects or those with significant diameter variations.
• Color: Choose according to your needs – for marking wires (e.g., red for +, black for -, other colors for signals) or for aesthetics. A wide range of colors, including clear, is available.
• Material: Standard polyolefin is sufficient for most electronics and modeling applications. Special versions also exist, e.g., with higher temperature or chemical resistance.
• Adhesive Lined Version: Some tubing has an inner layer of heat-activated adhesive that melts during shrinking, creating a sealed, waterproof connection. Ideal for applications exposed to moisture.
• Length: We offer tubing sold by the meter and in convenient kits containing various sizes and colors in short lengths.

Properly selected heat shrink tubing is a simple and inexpensive way to professionally protect connections.

The wide range of available diameters and colors of heat shrink tubing can make choosing difficult. Not sure what size tubing will be best for insulating soldered motor wires? Should you choose a 2:1 or 3:1 shrink ratio? Or maybe you need a specific color for marking wires?

Contact us! The Avifly team will gladly help you select the appropriate diameter, shrink ratio, and type of heat shrink tubing for your application. We can advise which sizes are most commonly used in FPV and RC.

We have a large selection of heat shrink tubing in various sizes and colors, available in stock with fast shipping from our warehouse in Poland. Ensure a professional and safe finish for your electrical connections!

Have questions about heat shrink tubing? Write to us: Contact Us