Description

Raychem heat shrink sleeves, produced by TE Connectivity, are industry-standard protective components engineered to provide robust insulation, environmental sealing, and mechanical strain relief for electrical cables, joints, and terminations. Renowned for their high-quality material science, these sleeves are utilized across low, medium, and high-voltage applications to protect against moisture, abrasion, corrosion, and chemical damage.

Core Technology and Composition
Raychem sleeves are typically manufactured from specialized radiation cross-linked polyolefin or similar polymers. This cross-linking process gives the material a “memory,” allowing it to be manufactured in an expanded state and, upon heating, shrink back to its original, smaller dimensions. Many Raychem heat shrink products are also lined with a hot-melt adhesive or sealant that melts during the heating process, flowing into gaps to ensure a waterproof and moisture-resistant, air-tight seal.

Main Types of Raychem Sleeves

• Wraparound Sleeves (e.g., CRSM, CNSM): These are specifically designed for repairing damaged cable sheaths without disconnecting the cable. They feature a “zip” closure mechanism, making them ideal for field repairs where sliding a tube over the end is impossible

• Medium/Thin Wall Tubing (e.g., WCSM, RNF100):These are used for sealing and insulating cable accessories. WCSM is thick-walled for heavy-duty sealing, while RNF100 is a flexible, flame-retardant tubing for general-purpose insulation.
• Busbar Tubing (e.g., BBIT/RBPM):Specialized tubing used in switchgear to provide insulation for high-voltage busbars, protecting against flashover and accidental discharge.

Key Features and Benefits

• Environmental Sealing: The adhesive lining provides superior sealing against water, dust, and moisture, making them ideal for direct burial or underwater applications.
• High Shrink Ratios: They are capable of shrinking to fit a wide variety of cable diameters, with some products boasting shrink ratios of 3:1 or higher.
• Mechanical Strength: They provide excellent resistance to abrasion, vibration, and impact.
• UV Resistance: Designed for outdoor and overhead applications, the material holds up against UV radiation.
• Versatility: Suitable for diverse industries including power distribution, telecommunications, automotive, and oil & gas.

Installation
The installation process is straightforward: the sleeve is placed over the joint or repair area, and heat is applied (typically using a gas torch or hot air gun). The material shrinks tightly, and the adhesive flows to fill any irregularities in the substrate.

Applications

• Cable Repair: Covering damaged insulation on cable jackets.
• Cable Jointing: Insulating and sealing spliced power cables.
• Termination Sealing: Protecting where cables terminate at switches or transformers.
• Busbar Protection: Ensuring insulation on power infrastructure.

Raychem’s reputation, backed by over 40 years of field experience, ensures that these products are a reliable choice for long-term, maintenance-free, and high-performance sealing and insulation solutions.