What Is Heat Shrink Tape?

Heat shrink tape is used in various applications and industries to compress products and structures. When heat is applied, the heat shrink tape applies compressive forces without relaxing throughout the curing process. These powerful compressive forces can be used to consolidate or laminate multiple layers of material beneath it. We will explore how heat shrink tape works, how it is used, and what your options are.

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How Heat Shrink Tape Works to Consolidate Your Products

The heat shrink tape is wrapped around your products and then heat is applied. This is usually done by using heat guns, an oven, or another heating source. As the temperature increases, the tape shrinks. This applies compressive force to the materials beneath, removing air pockets within the resin, pressing layers of material together to give a more consistent finish, eliminating gasses and other unwanted effects, or laminating them. Unlike nylon, cellophane, or woven materials, heat shrink tape does not relax during this process — meaning the consolidation of your products will not be impacted when heated.

At Dunstone, our Hi-Shrink heat shrink tape is adhesive-free, making application easy. Plus, when you are done laminating and consolidating your products, based on your application, the tape can be easily removed or grinded off without leaving residue — or it can be left on.

Shrink Tape Applications

Marine

Heat shrink tape is often used in marine applications to ensure that composite and resin systems are properly compressed and that electrical components are safely insulated. Due to the harsh environment these applications are found in, they need to be extremely durable, and heat shrink tape can help make that possible.

Automotive

In the automotive industry, heat shrink tape is used to compress composites and resins to make them stronger and last longer. These applications include carbon fiber drive shafts, composite tubes and rims, and carbon fiber rotor sleeves used in demanding EV motors.

Oil and Gas

Oil and gas tanks and pipes need to be kept secure and durable. Heat shrink tapes properly laminate and consolidate these applications to keep them safe and functional. Closely related to this is vulcanized rubber applications used for fluid transfer. Here, Hi-Shrink tape excels thanks to its compressive strength and ability to make the underlying material more resilient.

Sporting Goods

Hi-Shrink tape can be used to create long-lasting, strong, durable sporting goods. From golf club shafts and arrow shafts to rifle barrels to high-performance car drive shafts, and more, Hi-Shrink tape is used to improve the durability of a wide range of sporting goods.

Dunstone’s Hi-Shrink Heat Shrink Tape Options

At Dunstone, we carry a wide range of heat shrink tape options to meet the needs of all of our customers. Some of our options include:

100 Series: This is the thinnest shrink tape on the market today and is ideal for use on applications that don’t require significant compressive forces. It is a 0.001” thick polyester film that provides 5-20% shrink depending on your needs.
140 Series: This 0.0014” polyester film is used on thin-walled composites and can provide 5-20% shrinkage based on the needs of your application.
200 Series: This Hi-Shrink tape option is 0.002” thick and made from polyester film. It is suitable for thin-walled composites that require 5-20% shrink. Notably, the 200 Series is often referred to as our “Swiss Army knife” in that its thickness and compressive force make it an ideal selection for a wide variety of applications.
300 Series: This series is ideal for thicker-walled composite parts that need a shrink force of 5-20%.
500 Series: Ideal for applications where significant compressive force is needed. The 500 Series is a polyester film that is 0.005” thick and has a shrink force of 5-20%.
HT Series: This heat shrink tape has excellent high-temperature stability and offers a 12% shrink force. It is designed for higher-temperature applications where curing temperatures reach up to 180ºC.
X Series: This is the highest-temperature shrinkable film available and is offered in 8% shrink force and 12% shrink force. It is ideal for extremely high temperatures up to 400ºC.

Still Have Questions About What Heat Shrink Tape Is? Contact Dunstone

Our team is happy to answer any questions you have about our Hi-Shrink heat shrink tape! Reach out to us with questions or concerns and we will help you determine the best heat shrink tape for your needs. The best way to start is to request a sample. Just fill out the form and describe the details of your project, such as cure temperature and end goal, and we will reach out to you with the solution we believe best fits your needs.