PANDUIT: Electrical Full Line

For technical assistance in the U.S., call 866-405-6654 (outside the U.S., see inside back cover for directory) ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS C3.41 B2. Cable Accessories C1. Wiring Duct C3. Abrasion Protection C4. Cable Management D1. Terminals D2. Power Connectors E1. Labeling Systems E2. Labels E3. Pre-Printed & Write-On Markers F. Index B3. Stainless Steel Ties C2. Surface Raceway E5. Lockout/ Tagout & Safety Solutions B1. Cable Ties A. System Overview D3. Grounding Connectors E4. Permanent Identification Heat Shrink Process Defined Extrusion/Material Various thermoplastic materials that will repeatedly melt and flow, such as polyolefin, PVC, etc., are extruded into tube form. If examined at a molecular level, the material would resemble long thin strands weakly connected at various points by crystalline structure. If left in this state, the performance of the tube would be limited to that of the base material. Cross Linking Cross-linking creates high strength bonds between the molecular strands, in addition to the crystalline bonds. This is done with a high voltage or chemical treatment of the material. The cross-link bonds will not break down with heat; this transforms the material from a thermoplastic to a thermoset material that will not melt and flow. The result is a material with superior electrical and mechanical properties. Expansion The cross-linked tube is heated and the crystalline bonds dissolve, however, the cross-link bonds remain. The tube now is softer and can be expanded. This causes the cross-link bonds to stretch when cooled quickly, the crystalline bonds reform, freezing the tube in the expanded size. The tubing has now completed the manufacturing process. Recovery With the proper type and size of tube selected, the tube is placed over the object to be covered. Heat is now applied. This causes the crystalline bonds to dissolve again and the tube softens. The stretched cross-link bonds now return to their original length and the tube shrinks to the diameter it had when cross-linked, unless it encounters an object larger than this diameter. In this case, it conforms tightly to this object. Extrusion Cross-Link Expansion