Oil resistant rubber heat shrink tubing is widely used in many industrial fields where sealing protection is required. The quality of its installation process is directly related to the quality of sealing performance. Good installation can ensure that the heat shrink tubing fits tightly with the protected object, forming an effective seal to prevent oil leakage; otherwise, it may cause seal failure and affect the normal operation of the equipment.
Before installation, the surface of the covered object needs to be cleaned and treated. If there is oil, dust or impurities on the surface, it will hinder the close contact between the heat shrink tubing and the surface of the object, resulting in poor sealing. For example, residual oil will prevent the heat shrink tubing from fully shrinking and adhering to the surface of the object, forming gaps, which will give the oil a chance to penetrate. In addition, it is also important to check whether there are scratches, dents and other defects on the surface of the object. Uneven surface will cause uneven force on the heat shrink tubing during the shrinking process, and it will not fit the object locally, affecting the sealing performance.
It is crucial to choose the right specifications of oil resistant rubber heat shrink tubing. The inner diameter of the heat shrink tubing should be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the covered object, so that it can generate sufficient holding force after heat shrinking to achieve a good seal. If the inner diameter of the heat shrink tubing is too large, it will not fit the object tightly after shrinking, leaving a large gap and causing the seal to fail. When cutting the heat shrink tubing, the length should be moderate. A heat shrink tubing that is too short cannot completely cover the part that needs to be sealed, while a heat shrink tubing that is too long may produce wrinkles during the shrinking process, which will destroy the integrity of the seal and provide a channel for oil leakage.
Heating is the key step to shrink the oil resistant rubber heat shrink tubing. Common heating methods include hot air guns, ovens, etc. When heating, the temperature must be controlled within a suitable range. If the temperature is too low, the heat shrink tubing cannot shrink fully and cannot achieve the ideal sealing effect; if the temperature is too high, the heat shrink tubing may age, become brittle, or even be damaged, which also affects the sealing performance. In addition, the uniformity of heating is also very important. Uneven heating will cause the heat shrink tubing to shrink unevenly, with some parts shrinking too much and some parts shrinking insufficiently, resulting in stress concentration and easy sealing holes in weak parts.
When installing the heat shrink tubing, ensure that it is accurately positioned on the object to be covered to avoid distortion, skewness, etc. If the heat shrink tubing is not installed correctly, it will cause uneven local force after shrinkage, and the sealing effect will be worse. At the same time, during the heating and shrinking process, appropriate external force should be applied to make the heat shrink tubing fit the shape of the object surface better, especially for some objects with edges or irregular shapes. However, the external force should not be too large, otherwise the heat shrink tubing may be deformed excessively, affecting its physical properties and sealing performance.
After the heating and shrinking is completed, the cooling process will also affect the sealing performance. Rapid cooling may cause greater internal stress inside the heat shrink tubing, causing it to crack or detach easily during subsequent use. Therefore, it is generally recommended to use natural cooling to allow the heat shrink tubing to cool down slowly, stabilize its internal structure, and improve its sealing performance. In addition, some oil resistant rubber heat shrink tubing may require a certain period of curing to achieve the best sealing effect. During the curing period, excessive stretching or extrusion of the heat shrink tubing should be avoided to avoid damaging its sealing structure.
Each link of the installation process of oil resistant rubber heat shrink tubing has an important impact on its sealing performance. From the preparation work before installation, the selection and cutting of heat shrink tubing, to the heating method, operation technique, cooling and curing after installation, each step needs to be carried out strictly in accordance with the specifications to ensure that the oil resistant rubber heat shrink tubing achieves good sealing performance and provides reliable guarantee for the stable operation of the equipment in an oily environment.
