Worldwide supplier of high quality electrical / electronic components

NTE has a great line of heat shrink tubing. Read more below on how to select and use our NTE brand heat shrink tubing.

In order to get a secure fit for your project, be sure that the tubing’s recovered diameter (the diameter after shrinking) is smaller than the diameter of the area you’re going to insulate. At the same time, the tubing’s expanded state (the diameter before shrinking) needs to be large enough to easily fit over the area to be insulated, as well as any connectors attached to it.

Cut the heat shrink tubing to a usable length, and be sure to allow for a minimum 1/4” overlap over any existing insulation or connectors. Keep in mind that tubing also shrinks lengthwise - typically 5-7% during the shrinking process.

If covering an object, slide the cut tubing over the object that you’re covering; if splicing, slide the tubing over the splice, centering it to allow for equal overlap on both sides.

Before shrinking, check your tubing's specifications for the recommended heating temperature. Any commercial heat gun or heat shrink oven can be used to shrink the tubing. NTE has some great options available in our Heat Guns section. Since uncontrolled heat can cause uneven shrinkage, physical damage and insulation failure, the use of an open flame is really an emergency resort.

Thin Wall

Dual Wall

Medium Wall

Thick Wall

Heat Shrink
End Caps

Assortment Kits

Thin Wall - NTE’s Thin Wall Heat Shrink Tubing has a 2:1 shrink ratio. It is a high performance, multi-purpose, professional grade, flexible, flame retardant, polyolefin-based heat−shrinkable tubing with excellent electrical, chemical and physical properties. This tubing is used extensively in industrial and military applications for cable and wire harnessing, strain relief, insulation, color coding, identification, and protection against fluids.

Dual Wall - NTE Dual wall heat shrinkable tubing has a 3:1 shrink ratio. This flexible tubing, offering the advantages of integral, adhesive-lined construction. The tubing is made from flame retardant, flexible cross-linked polyolefin with an internal layer of excellent hot melt adhesive. The heat-shrinkable outer wall is durable, while maintaining the high flow and excellent adhesion of the inner sealant liner.

Medium Wall - NTE’s Medium Wall Heat Shrink Tubing has a 3:1 shrink ratio. It is polyolefin based heat−shrinkable tubing suitable for a wide range of telecom and power applications like joints and cable repair. This tubing is also adhesive lined and is ideally suited for aerial, underground and direct burial installation.

Thick Wall - NTE’s Thick Wall Heat Shrink Tubing has a 3:1 shrink ration. It is polyolefin based heat−shrinkable tubing suitable for a wide range of telecom and power applications like joints and cable repair. This adhesive lined tubing is tough, durable tubing pro[1]vides protection for electrical connections in the most adverse conditions including direct burial, URD, and submersible installations.

Helpful Hints

• If you’re covering a long length of cable with tubing, begin shrinking at one end, and gradually work your way down to the other. To ensure that the tubing shrinks evenly and without air bubbles, rotate the project as you’re applying heat.
• Evenly apply heat over the length, and around the diameter of the tubing, until fit is uniformly shrunken and conforms to the shape of the cable, hose, or splice that it’s covering.
• Avoid overheating the tubing as it will become brittle and/or charred

Heat Shrink Tubing Brochure

This brochure from NTE Electronics contains information on our Heat Shrink Tubing in a convenient 4-page format. Click here to view/download this document.