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Why do you need clear heat shrink tubing?
Scenes where transparent tubes are required
Although black is the standard color for heat shrink tubing, there is still a strong demand for transparent tubing for reasons such as wanting to see the label inside, not wanting to spoil the appearance, and needing identification . For example, these applications include:
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I want to see the product number and barcode printed on the cable.
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You don't want to hide functional parts such as LEDs and sensors.
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Visualizing the state of coating in medical and scientific fields
So what types of clear heat shrink tubing are there?
Main types of transparent heat shrink tubing
The following variations are available on the market:
| Material | Features | Flame retardant | remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyolefin type (transparent type) | Flexible and has a high shrinkage rate | △ (Depending on flame retardant additives) | Standard heat resistance and shrinkage performance |
| Fluorine resin (FEP/PTFE) | High transparency, high heat resistance, chemical resistance◎ | ○ | Expensive but popular for precision applications |
| PVC | Cost-conscious | △ | Soft PVC tends to become cloudy due to the flame retardant. |
Technology for making tubes "transparent" and its challenges
Heat shrink tubing is made of a material that is naturally somewhat cloudy, milky white, or translucent. To make it transparent, you need two main things :
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No pigment added (uncolored)
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Increasing the transparency of the resin itself (high-purity polymer)
But there is a problem.
Transparency = flame retardancy trade-off
Many heat shrink tubings are required to be flame retardant (UL standards, etc.), but the flame retardants (halogen-based, etc.) added to ensure flame retardancy can sometimes impair the transparency of the resin.
In other words,
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Prioritizing transparency reduces flame retardancy
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If flame retardancy is prioritized, transparency will decrease.
There is a trade-off here.
It is important to choose the right product for your application
Clear heat shrink tubing is attractive, but few products meet all your requirements at the same time, so it's important to prioritize .
| the purpose | Recommended Tube |
|---|---|
| The most important thing is that the print inside can be seen. | Polyolefin transparent tube (non-flame resistant if OK) |
| Flame retardancy and transparency must be compatible | Fluorine resin (FEP) |
| I want to finish it cheaply | PVC clear type |
| Special length and size | Choose a manufacturer that can handle custom-made or processed products |
summary
Transparent heat shrink tubing is very effective as a protective material for visibility. However, it is important to find a balance between the reason for wanting transparency and the required functionality (flame retardancy, heat resistance, etc.).
By selecting the right material and structure for your application, you can take your product to the next level of perfection.
