|
Medical polymer components | Heat shrink solutions
Choose one of three starting points: PET, PE, or Others / Custom. Polymerex helps engineering teams select heat shrink tubing around the complete assembly—not a nominal diameter alone.
Support catheter shaft reflow and lamination, balloon and tubing joints, braid or coil transitions, component retention, masking and localized strain relief. Material selection starts with the largest loading feature, target-zone OD, substrate stack, heating method and whether the sleeve remains or is removed.
These are common engineering objectives, not universal material claims. The preferred tubing depends on assembly geometry, substrates, heat exposure and the required finished-part result.
Apply circumferential pressure while thermoplastic layers consolidate around braid, coil or variable-stiffness sections.
Maintain contact around balloon necks, transitions and localized joints during a qualified thermal process.
Contain reinforcement ends and support low-profile transitions at termination zones.
Hold markers, tubing sections or compatible small components at a defined assembly location.
Protect selected regions or bundle conductors, sensors and tubing during downstream processing.
Use as removable process tooling. Retained use requires device-specific qualification.
Polyester
Clear PET provides process visibility and a low-profile starting point for catheter bonding and precision polymer assembly. Custom thin-wall configurations may be reviewed for specialized applications.
Best fit when: clear process visibility and a thin-wall starting point are priorities.
19 published catalog sizes
Expanded ID: 0.033–0.190 in (0.84–4.83 mm)
Polyethylene
Cross-linked PE heat-shrink tubing supports controlled, predictable recovery for precision catheter laser bonding and assembly.
Best fit when: engineering teams need part-numbered PE options, program-specific review and coordinated evaluation with Polymerex Laser Bonder systems.
12 published catalog sizes
Minimum expanded ID: 0.043–0.133 in
Maximum recovered ID: 0.012–0.040 in
Engineering review
Nylon and other project-specific material requests are handled as application-specific capability reviews rather than standard public product claims. Custom thin-wall or double-wall constructions may also be reviewed; material, wall definition, dimensions, tolerances and supply feasibility are confirmed only for the quoted program.
Start here when: PET or PE is not the preferred path, a specific material is required, or the assembly needs a custom construction.
Small evaluation quantities may be available from existing material or limited trial production after engineering and inventory review. Quantity, lead time and conformance are confirmed per request.
Review Others / Custom Options| Selection question | PET starting point | PE starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Primary geometry concern | Minimal added profile and a close-fitting thin wall. | Clearance over a larger loading feature before recovery. |
| Process observation | Clear construction supports visual monitoring during development and processing. | Emphasis is typically placed on expanded fit and recovered geometry. |
| Common evaluation focus | Reflow, lamination, masking, termination and low-profile consolidation. | Joint support, retention, protection and localized strain relief. |
| Next data to review | Assembly OD, loading fit, wall, process heat and removal or retention. | Largest loading feature, expanded ID, target recovered fit and process heat. |
This comparison is a material-selection aid, not a performance guarantee. Prototype and validate the selected tubing on the actual device assembly.
We review loading clearance, target-zone OD, component tolerances, substrate stack, heating method and removal or retention together.
PET or PE can be evaluated alongside precision tubing, balloon interfaces, catheter components and contract-manufacturing requirements.
Support can cover initial size screening and representative sample trials. Small evaluation quantities are subject to inventory or trial-production review before availability is confirmed.
Final suitability depends on the finished device, assembly geometry, substrates, intended use and a customer-validated process. Availability of biocompatibility, sterilization, cleanliness, shelf-life and regulatory documentation must be confirmed for the specific quoted product and customer program.
Application review
Send your assembly drawing, largest loading OD, target-zone OD range, substrate stack, heating method, required sleeve length, removal or retention plan and estimated volume. Polymerex will recommend which material family and catalog sizes to evaluate first.
polymerexus@yahoo.com | +1 858 695 0765 | 7358 Trade St., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
Request Size & Material Review View PET Catalog View PE Catalog