Geartech BR is not a manufacturer of insulating spaghetti, but imports and markets this and other types of materials such as films, polyester compounds, insulating paper and tape. But in this article we want to emphasize insulating spaghetti. Keep reading to learn more!
Insulating spaghetti or heat-shrink tubes or even heat-shrinkable spaghetti are thermoplastics composed of polymers that can be polyolefins, fluoropolymers, neoprene, silicone elastomer or Viton.
The type of polymer that will be used for making the tubes will depend on the purpose for which this material will be destined.
On the Geartech BR website you will find the following insulating spaghetti models:
Class B PVC Spaghetti
Spaghetti PVC Class B is a heat-shrink tube made of cross-linked polyolefin, whose application is mainly intended for the composition of electrical harnesses for insulating terminals, splices and their derivations in general. In addition, it is also useful for windings of motors, generators, transformers and carbon brush insulation.
Class F Fiberglass Spaghetti
The Spaghetti Fiberglass Class F is a tube made of polyester fabric impregnated with acrylic resin. Can be used for coil head protection and output cable welding on class F motors (155ºC). It is also ideal for insulating transformers and household appliances.
Class H Silicon Spaghetti
Class H Silicon Spaghetti is ideal for equipment with high temperature, motor windings, generators, transformers and carbon brush insulation.
Manufacturer of insulating spaghetti and the manufacturing process
The manufacturing process of an insulating spaghetti starts with the choice of material, which will define its applications in the future.
Along with this raw material, other components such as dyes and stabilizers are added.
Then all this compound goes through a process called extrusion.
This process consists of heating the material until it melts, forcing it to pass through a matrix, taking the form of a longitudinal balloon.
In this step, the retractable heat is already with the post-shrinkage diameter.
During this step, the material is bombarded with electrons through a small particle accelerator, a process called physical crosslinking.
These electrons will destroy the air molecules inside the material and release hydrogen molecules to create a memory in the thermoplastic.
The polymer is then heated to just above its crystalline melting point and expanded in diameter. This is often done in vacuum chambers.
Still in an expanded state, the material is cooled quickly, defining the diameter of the tubes in the dimensions in which they will be sold.
Therefore, having gone through the process of creating “memory” in the thermoplastic, it will return to its initial state when it is heated again. And so the magic happens.
Who invented insulating spaghetti?
Insulating spaghetti were created by Rychem Corporation in 1962.
The creation of the product came through research after World War II where it was observed that the molecular structure of polymers changes when exposed to high levels of radiation.
Did you already know something about this information about insulating spaghetti? Regardless, as you’ve already seen, if you need this material, we can help! Contact us and request a free quote!
