Product 03
Heat-Shrink Sleeves
A polyolefin sleeve slid onto the wire before termination and shrunk with heat to conform permanently — the most rugged, chemical-resistant marker.
What it is
A heat-shrink sleeve is a polyolefin tube that slides onto the wire and shrinks with heat to conform tightly and permanently to the conductor. It will not peel or slip once shrunk.
Because it slides over the open end, it must be installed before termination. Until heat is applied, it is free to position along the wire; after shrinking, the mark is permanent.
How it works
- 01
Slide on
Install the sleeve over the open wire end before the connector is terminated.
- 02
Position
Move it to the marking point — it stays adjustable until heated.
- 03
Shrink
Apply heat; the sleeve conforms tightly and permanently to the wire.
- 04
Terminate
Complete the termination with the identification locked in place.
Why choose it
- The most permanent, ruggedized option — it resists chemicals, oils, solvents, fuels, and abrasion.
- Flame-retardant construction for high-reliability and safety-critical wiring.
- The format that carries military and aerospace qualification when your spec demands it.
Materials
- Radiation cross-linked, flame-retardant polyolefin.
- Shrink ratios of 2:1 (thicker, rugged wall) and 3:1 for greater size recovery.
Specifications
Product-specific figures shown as [FILL] are confirmed from the technical data sheet.
| Material | Radiation cross-linked flame-retardant polyolefin |
|---|---|
| Shrink ratio | 2:1 or 3:1 |
| Operating range (typical) | commonly −55 °C to +135 °C |
| Wire / AWG range | [FILL FROM TDS — by part number] |
| Standards (candidate set) | SAE-AMS-DTL-23053, SAE-AS-81531, MIL-STD-202, UL 224 / VW-1, IEEE 323, RoHS — [FILL FROM CERTIFICATE/TDS] |
| Print method | Thermal-transfer (ribbon) |
Applications
Customization
- Diameter, wall, and shrink ratio matched to your wire range
- Color coding and custom-printed legends
- Supplied as printable blanks or finished marked sleeves
Printer compatibility
- Thermal-transfer with ribbon for durable, permanent marks that survive the shrink process and service life
FAQ
Why must heat-shrink go on before termination?
The sleeve slides over the open wire end, so it has to be in place before the connector is fitted. If you need to mark already-terminated cable, choose a wrap-around or flag label instead.
Is this the right choice for a MIL spec?
Heat-shrink is the format that typically carries military and aerospace qualification. Tell us the exact standard you must meet on the quote form and we will confirm the qualified product.
How permanent is the marking?
Once shrunk, the sleeve will not peel or slip, and a thermal-transfer print is made to survive chemicals, oils, and abrasion — this is the most permanent option we offer.
Get a no-obligation engineering quote
Tell us the cable, the environment, and the spec to meet. We will advise on material, format, and printing, and quote a custom solution or samples.