Heat shrink tubing · 8 materials

Medical grade
Heat Shrink Tubing

Fluoropolymers PTFE · FEP/S-FEP · PFA · PVDFand thermoplastics PET · PE · PEBAX · PEEK— eight materials in all. Shrink ratio and wall thickness differ by material, so fixing your requirements first narrows the choice.

Based on 5 published sizesPTFE · PFA · PVDF — sizes on request
Pre-shrink ID
0.300–11.000
mm
Wall
0.006–0.50
mm
Shrink ratio
1.4:1–2:1
By material
Recovery temperature
100–250
°C
Request a quote · TDSSee the comparison
Heat shrink tubing — translucent and white tubes with formed taper tips
Tip taper forming · translucent and white

5 published sizes

5 published sizes
5 published sizes

Five materials with published dimensions and shrink ratios. Press a requirement and only the matching materials remain. If two requirements conflict (minimum wall plus 2:1 shrink, for example), ask us. PTFE · PFA · PVDFare produced, but their dimensions are not published, so they are listed separately below.

Material
Pre-shrink ID
Pre-shrink wall
Shrink ratio
Recovery temperature
FEP / S-FEP
1.00–12.70 mm
0.08–0.50 mm
2:1
130–250 °C
PE
1.00–12.70 mm
0.08–0.50 mm
2:1
130–250 °C
PEBAX
1.00–12.70 mm
0.08–0.25 mm
2:1
180–190 °C
PEEK
2.00–8.00 mm
0.10–0.30 mm
1.4:1
170–190 °C
PET
0.300–11.000 mm
0.006–0.065 mm
1.5:1
100–240 °C
Source — Linstant Company Profile 2025 p.17
PI heat shrink in development

3 materials without published sizes — production available

PTFE · PFA · PVDF

The three materials below are production items, but their dimensions, shrink ratio and shrink temperature are not in the published material. Send the size you need and we check with the plant.

PTFE
Polytetrafluoroethylene
High-temperature insulation layer. Jacketing for surgical instrument rods.
PFA
Perfluoroalkoxy
High-temperature shrink · flame retardant · insulating · corrosion resistant.
PVDF
Polyvinylidene fluoride
Sleeve jacketing for surgical instruments.
Colour options, tolerance, MOQ and lead time vary with the specification, so they are not published. We include them in our reply.

Detail by material

By material

PET Heat Shrink Tubing

PET Heat Shrink Tubing
PET heat shrink tubing — clear and white

Among the five published sizes, PET heat shrink tubing has the thinnest wall and reaches the smallest bore . It starts at 0.006 mm pre-shrink wall and 0.300 mm pre-shrink ID. Its 1.5:1 shrink ratio does not suit designs needing large recovery, but it shrinks from 100 °C, so it can be worked over heat-sensitive components.

Pre-shrink ID0.300–11.000 mm
Pre-shrink wall0.006–0.065 mm
Shrink ratio1.5:1
Recovery temperature100–240 °C
A 1.50 mm pre-shrink ID finishes at about 1.00 mm; 1.20 mm finishes at about 0.80 mm.
Request PET specificationsPET detail →TDS · MSDS available

FEP / S-FEP Heat Shrink Tubing

FEP Heat Shrink Tubing
FEP heat shrink tubing — clear, large bore

FEP heat shrink tubing gives Shrink ratio 2:1the largest recovery and covers large bores up to 12.70 mm pre-shrink ID. Its 0.08–0.50 mm wall is the highest upper limit among the five published sizes, so it also suits thick protective layers. S-FEP is produced to the same specification.

Pre-shrink ID1.00–12.70 mm
Pre-shrink wall0.08–0.50 mm
Shrink ratio2:1
Recovery temperature130–250 °C
A 3.00 mm pre-shrink ID finishes at about 1.50 mm; 12.70 mm finishes at about 6.35 mm.
Request FEP / S-FEP specificationsFEP detail →TDS · MSDS available

PE Heat Shrink Tubing

PE Heat Shrink Tubing
PE heat shrink tubing — light blue

PE heat shrink tubing runs 1.00–12.70 mm pre-shrink ID, 0.08–0.50 mm wall and 2:1 shrink ratio — on paper, identical to FEP. So the choice comes down to material behaviour rather than dimensions: FEP where chemical resistance and friction matter, PE otherwise. If you need help deciding, we send both TDS.

Pre-shrink ID1.00–12.70 mm
Pre-shrink wall0.08–0.50 mm
Shrink ratio2:1
Recovery temperature130–250 °C
A 3.00 mm pre-shrink ID finishes at about 1.50 mm.
Request PE specificationsPE detail →TDS · MSDS available

PEBAX Heat Shrink Tubing

PEBAX Heat Shrink Tubing
PEBAX heat shrink tubing — navy outer jacket

PEBAX heat shrink tubing keeps a 2:1 shrink ratio while its wall ceiling is 0.25 mm, lower than FEP and PE. In other words it fits sections that need both large recovery and a thin wall. Its 180–190 °C shrink window is narrow, so process temperature control is comparatively demanding.

Pre-shrink ID1.00–12.70 mm
Pre-shrink wall0.08–0.25 mm
Shrink ratio2:1
Recovery temperature180–190 °C
A 2.20 mm pre-shrink ID finishes at about 1.10 mm.
Request PEBAX specificationsPEBAX detail →TDS · MSDS available

PEEK Heat Shrink Tube

PEEK Heat Shrink Tubing
PEEK heat shrink tubing — translucent cream, large bore

PEEK heat shrink tubing has the lowest shrink ratio of the five published sizes at 1.4:1, and a narrow 2.00–8.00 mm pre-shrink ID range. In exchange, PEEK itself is a high-temperature, high-stiffness material, so it is chosen when heat resistance in service is the deciding factor. If continuous service temperature drives your design, check the TDS first.

Pre-shrink ID2.00–8.00 mm
Pre-shrink wall0.10–0.30 mm
Shrink ratio1.4:1
Recovery temperature170–190 °C
A 2.00 mm pre-shrink ID finishes at about 1.43 mm.
Request PEEK specificationsPEEK detail →TDS · MSDS available

PTFE Heat Shrink Tubing

PTFE Heat Shrink TubingSizes on request
PTFE heat shrink tubing — black, tapered tip

PTFE heat shrink tubing is polytetrafluoroethylene, among the most heat-resistant of the fluoropolymers. It is used as a high-temperature insulation layerjacketing surgical instrument rods to prevent melting and electrical shock.

Main useSurgical instrument rod jacketing
Dimensions · shrink ratioInquiries
Send the size you need and we check with the plant.
Request PTFE specificationsPTFE detail →TDS · MSDS available

PFA Heat Shrink Tubing

PFA Heat Shrink TubingSizes on request
PFA heat shrink tubing — clear

PFA heat shrink tubing is based on perfluoroalkoxy resin. It shrinks at high temperature and combines flame retardancy, insulation and corrosion resistance, so it suits chemically demanding environments.

Main useInsulating · corrosion-resistant jacketing
Dimensions · shrink ratioInquiries
Send the size you need and we check with the plant.
Request PFA specificationsPFA detail →TDS · MSDS available

PVDF Heat Shrink Tubing

PVDF Heat Shrink TubingSizes on request
PVDF heat shrink tubing — translucent white

PVDF heat shrink tubing is polyvinylidene fluoride. It is used mainly for surgical instrument sleeve jacketing and is among the mechanically stiffer fluoropolymers.

Main useSurgical instrument sleeve
Dimensions · shrink ratioInquiries
Send the size you need and we check with the plant.
Request PVDF specificationsPVDF detail →TDS · MSDS available

How to choose

How to choose

Calculating recovered inner diameter

Recovered inner diameter approximates to pre-shrink ID ÷ shrink ratio. The recovered ID must be smaller than the outer diameter of the part for a tight fit.

Material · shrink ratio
Pre-shrink ID
Recovered ID
FEP 2:1
3.00 mm
≈ 1.50 mm
PET 1.5:1
1.50 mm
≈ 1.00 mm
PEEK 1.4:1
2.00 mm
≈ 1.43 mm
Calculated — actual recovery varies with heating conditions
Material by requirement
When you need the largest shrink ratioFEP · PE · PEBAX
When the wall must be thinPET
When the bore is largeFEP · PE · PEBAX
When the bore is very smallPET
When it must shrink at low temperaturePET
When it runs in a high-temperature environmentPEEK
When high-temperature, chemical-resistant insulation is the goalPTFE · PFA · PVDF
Sizes on request
The heat limit in service is not the same as the shrink temperature. If continuous service temperature matters, request the TDS for that material. The guidance above derives from 5 published sizesand the three fluoropolymers (PTFE · PFA · PVDF) have no published dimensions — send the size you need and we check with the plant.

Processes that run alongside

Heat shrink is more often ordered together with assembly steps than on its own. Bundling them on one order keeps responsibility from splitting between processes.

Stripping the shrunk tubing away
Removal after shrinking — when used as a temporary protective layer
ReflowBonding · weldingMarker bandTip formingLaser and ink-transfer printing
Related items
Braided tubing1.7–39 Fr · three-layer build→PTFE linerID 0.10–6.50 mm · etched→PEEK tubeID 0.10–23.00 mm→UHMWPE linerPFAS-free · PTFE replacement→

FAQ

FAQ

How do I calculate the recovered inner diameter?

Approximate it as pre-shrink inner diameter divided by shrink ratio. A 2:1 material with 3.00 mm pre-shrink ID finishes at about 1.50 mm. Actual recovery varies with heating temperature and time.

Which material has the thinnest wall?

PET. At 0.006–0.065 mm pre-shrink wall it is the thinnest of the published sizes. Its wall is far thinner than other heat shrink tubing while keeping high tensile strength, good hoop strength and good bending fatigue behaviour. Its 1.5:1 shrink ratio, though, does not suit cases needing large recovery.

Which materials offer a 2:1 shrink ratio?

Among the published sizes, FEP/S-FEP, PE and PEBAX are 2:1. PEEK is 1.4:1 and PET is 1.5:1. Shrink ratios for PTFE, PFA and PVDF are not published, so ask us.

Do you supply PTFE heat shrink tubing?

Yes. PTFE heat shrink tubing is used mainly as a high-temperature insulation layer jacketing surgical instrument rods. Its dimensions and shrink ratio are not in the published material, so send the size you need and we check with the plant. The same applies to PFA and PVDF.

Can I get a TDS and MSDS?

Yes. We provide a technical data sheet (TDS) and safety data sheet (MSDS) per material. Ask for them with your inquiry and we send them with the quotation.

Are sizes outside the table possible?

The ranges in the table describe production capability, not fixed part numbers. Send your pre-shrink ID, the recovered ID you need and any wall constraint, and we reply with workable combinations.

Other items

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Contact

Give us the shrink conditions
and we narrow the material

Outer diameter of the part, the recovered inner diameter you need, and any wall constraint. Those three settle the material. We reply with TDS, MSDS and MOQ together.

grit@octud.com010-3338-2976
01Part OD · required recovered ID
02Wall constraint · colour · length
03Application · expected volume · whether you need a TDS
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