TE Connectivity introduced the DWFR (dual wall, fire-retardant) product line – its first dual wall heat shrink tubing products to be rated for the UL VW-1 flammability test specified by the UL 224 standard. The DWFR tubing products’ highly flame retardant polyolefin jacket and a thermoplastic inner adhesive wall provide excellent electrical insulation and mechanical protection. When properly installed, the tubing shrinks to create a moisture-resistant seal. The DWFR tubing products’ high heat shrink ratios of 3:1 and 4:1 enable designers to use just a few tubing sizes across numerous applications – from home appliances to industrial controls to automotive.
“Although many single wall tubing products meet the UL VW-1 flammability test, TE’s new DWFR product line fills a pressing design need for dual wall tubing that is rated for this requirement,” said John Sandwell, tubing product management director, TE Appliances. “Being highly flame retardant, DWFR tubing can be used in a host of applications where safety and reliability are paramount design concerns and protection against moisture ingress is also required. Its versatility can also help manufacturers reduce inventory requirements and costs.”
TE’s DWFR tubing is applicable to a broad range of electrical connections and terminations. The product line comprises 14 sizes from 3 to 52mm (inside diameter). Of those, seven have 3:1 heat shrink ratios and seven have 4:1 ratios. The high shrink ratios can be particularly useful when applying this tubing to a connector-to-cable transition or to fit over a connector when making a cable jacket repair to an existing harness.
All sizes of DWFR tubing provide a full recovery at a moderate temperature of 125 degrees Celsius and can be used across operating temperatures ranging from minus 40 degrees Celsius to 110 degrees Celsius. The tubing products’ medium wall jacket offers protection from abrasion and bending. The tubing’s adhesive liner is capable of bonding to a variety of substrate materials, including plastics, metals and rubbers, and provides protection from moisture ingress.
The tubing can be easily installed using many different types of heating tools, ranging from basic heat guns to conveyor-equipped ovens, for high-volume production environments.
