H4N0.50BK - Shrinkflex® Polyolefin Heatshrink Tubing - 4:1 - 1/2" - Black - 30 ft spool

4:1 Polyolefin Heatshrink Tubing

Techflex® Shrinkflex® 4:1 over-expanded flexible, flame retardant heat shrinkable polyolefin tubing is used for special circumstances such as jacket retrofitting or repair and electrical insulation of wire assemblies with oversize components or connectors.
The over-expanded product configuration easily fits over the end of a connector, and shrinks down to 25% of its original diameter to fit snugly over the wires.
This shrinkable tubing can create a permanent weather tight seal when paired with adhesive shrink tape.

SHRINK RATIO: 4:1

SHRINK TEMP: 194°F (90°C)

COLORS: Black

Heat Shrink Installation Instructions

What Does Shrink Ratio (2:1, 3:1, Etc..) Mean?

The shrink ratio is the approximate maximum amount that heatshrink tubing will shrink relative to the unshrunk diameter. For example, a piece of 3/4" heatshrink tubing with a 3:1 shrink ratio will shrink down to a maximum diameter of approximately 1/4" when fully shrunk. All heatshrink tubing on our site is specified in it's UNSHRUNK diameter, so consider the shrink ratio and the unshrunk diameter when ordering heatshrink tubing. Heatshrink tubing with a larger shrink ratio will be more forgiving when fitting the tubing over plugs or connectors, but will have a bit thicker wall thickness and slightly less flexibility when shrunk then a lower ratio product.

Uses for Heat Shrink Tubing

Heat shrink tubing (also referred to as shrink tube, heat tube, or shrinkable tube) has a wide variety of different applications in a multitude of different industries. Here are some of the most uses for heat shrink tubing:

• Color Coding wires for easy identification.
• Providing Strain relief on wire ends & connections.
• Repairing cables from strain related damage or wear-and-tear.
• Re-enforcing cable chargers & headphones
• Acting a protective covering to prevent scrapes, dents, or damage.
• Providing a clean termination for braided sleeving applications.
• Thermal Insulation for wires.
• Bundling of loose wires & cables
• Providing a weather tight seal on wire bundles.
• Adding extra grip to tool handles.
• Stopping chains from rattling.
• Temporarily stop small leaks in pipes & hoses until a permanenet repair can be made.
• Preventing rope ends from fraying.

Different Heat Shrink Tubing Materials

Heat shrink tubing is currently manufactured in a wide range of thermoplastics geared towards specific applications. Here are some of the most common varieties of shrink tubing.

Polyolefin: This is the most commonly used heat shrink material and works for most heat shrink applications. Polyolefin comes in a variety of colors, sizes, shrink ratios, and has an operating temperature of -67° F to +275° F. Keep in mind, Polyolefin has a low tolerance for UV resistance compared to other shrink tubing.

PVC: Polyvinylchloride, or PVC heat shrink, is an economical solution ideal for lower temperature applications like food & beverage use. It also has a higher UV resistance than standard Polyolefin.

Fabric: Fabric heat shrink tubing is constructed using a combination of polyolefin and polyester. Fabric shrink is ideal for use in environments were retaining strength & abrasion resistance is important. This material often has a narrower operating temperature range as well as more longitudinal shrink than other shrink tubing materials.

PTFE: Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, is intended for use in applications where it is frequently exposed to very high temperatures. This material has a very high shrink temperature, making it difficult to shrink for most users without specialized heating equipment.

Kynar: Kynar heat shrink is highly flame retardant, abrasion resistant, and geared towards environments that require strain relief such as soldered connections and splices.

Viton: This shrink tubing is a fluid resistant, flame retardant flouro-elastomer with high solvent resistance intended for use in applications exposed to corrosive materials or high temp environments.

Thing To Consider When Choosing The Right Heat Shrink For Your Project

Shrink Ratio: The shrink ratio is the approximate maximum amount that heatshrink tubing will shrink relative to the unshrunk diameter. For example, 2:1 heatshrink shrinks to half of its original diameter ( 1” shrinks to ½”). If your wiring harness has large connectors or plugs that you would like to shrink over this must be taken into consideration when determining shrink ratio. Larger obstacles will need a higher shrink ratio in order to allow the tube to slide over while still allowing it to shrink into a tight fit for your cables.

Material: As discussed above, heat shrink tubing is available in a variety of different materials geared to specific applications, locations, and temperature ranges. Knowing the circumstances for your specific project allows you to determine if any of the customized protections provided by different materials are beneficial to you.

Shrink Temperature: The minimum amount of heat required for shrink tubing to begin the shrinking process is referred to as the material’s Shrink Temp. This temperature can vary due to material, wall thickness, or other factors. While choosing your heatshrink be sure to reference the shrink temp listed to ensure you have the tools required to reach the specified temperature. Heat shrink tubing with lower shrink temps can often be applied using a hair dryer, while materials with a higher temp require an industrial strength heat gun.

Environment: Where will your completed heat shrink project be located? Will it be exposed to weather, abrasion, UV, or chemicals? The final location of your wire harness will help you narrow down the amount of protection your heat shrink needs to provide. Harsh outdoor environments would likely need a fabric shrink, while applications that come into frequent contact with automotive fluids can be protected with Diesel Resistant Shrink. Be sure to read the protective qualities of your chosen heat shrink to ensure it aligns with your project's requirements.

Color & Aesthetics: Is the primary goal of your heat shrinking project aesthetic appeal over protection? Standard 2:1 or 3:1 Polyolefin heat shrink is available in the largest selection of colors and is the go to choice for those interested in using shrink tubing to color code or identify wiring. We even offer a yellow/green ground ID shrink tubing for easy identification of ground lines. If you are interested in taking your labeling to the next level, consider trying out our Heat Shrink Printing service where we can print your text, logos, and designs directly onto the tubing for you!