Specialty Sleeving Provides Application Specific Solutions

Techflex? has a heritage that stretches more than 50 years, with customers requesting application specific products since the company has been in business. In response, Techflex? has designed highly engineered sleeves to suit these needs and specifications, with the Specialty Category created as a home for this mix of braided sleeves and wraps. What are some of the unique sleeves within this category, and the materials used to produce them?

Nylon is used for some sleeves in the Specialty Category. DuPont invented it in 1935, the silky thermoplastic first reaching consumers in toothbrushes in 1938. Known for its ability to stretch, as well as its resistance to moisture, abrasion and tears, it became a greater hit when it was introduced in stockings for women at the 1939 World’s Fair. During World War II, the military created nylon bomber plane tire cords and body armor, with it eventually used in sleeping bags, rope, fishing nets — and of course, braided sleeving. Nylon Mono? and Nylon Multi? are two sleeves that were created in the Specialty Category. The strength in Nylon Mono?, which is made of 12 mil nylon 6-6 polyamide monofilament, can expand up to 150%, and increase the life of a hose by 300%. Auto manufacturers have chosen it for wire and cable harnesses because of these qualities, including the ability to guard against automotive chemicals and moisture. Nylon Multi? has been used in military wire harness applications, meeting, or exceeding military specifications A-A-5930, with the ability to resist automotive and marine chemicals, rot, moisture, UV damage, and vibration. It has a soft and retro appearance that also makes it ideal for A/V cables, and can be ordered in a variety of special colors. Dura Race?, which is made of ballistic nylon, covers wires on loop and pile, cut and loop pile, and patterned loop pile carpets, protecting wires from damage — and people from slipping on them. It repels liquids while shielding wires from moisture, abrasion, UV, and chemicals. The Flexo? Mounting System for expandable braided sleeving is made of an automotive grade glass filled nylon, that clamps to sleeving without attaching to wiring. Flexo? Thin is another specialty nylon sleeve used to support micro optics, and precision electronic harnesses.

Polyethelene therephthalate (PET), which goes by its more common name polyester, is also woven into Techflex? Specialty Category sleeves. PET is a thermoplastic resin discovered and patented in the United Kingdom during World War II, which has been used in automotive manufacturing and food packaging. Flexo? Noise Reduction combines monofilament and multifilament PET yarns. This expandable sleeve works to reduce noise on hoses, wires and tubes, having the flexibility to handle a tight radius. Flexo? Non-Skid is also made of standard PET and high-friction polymers, to protect cable bundles in high traffic areas, such as in TV studios. Flexo? 6 MIL is a flexible sleeve engineered with chemical resistant PET fiber, woven of a high density, fine thread. Its monofilaments bend when heated and can make lasting shapes.

Flexo? F6? Flat is a self-wrapping sleeve made of monofilament and multifilament polyester yarn, that protects automotive wires in vehicle headliners and under carpeting. Flexo? Reflex is a PET sleeve braided with 3M? Scotchlite? retroreflective monofilament, that gives reflective qualities to wires, hoses, cables, bicycle and motorcycle cables, and other wiring in low light conditions.

Mylar? is biaxially oriented and stretched PET that was invented by DuPont in the 1950s, and first created for NASA. It is resistant to heat, flame, moisture, cold, bacteria, and other challenges. It is used for a range of applications to provide support and shielding for wires. It can also offer a unique visual effect to wires, especially when combined with other types of sleeving. Flexo? Mylar is the audiophiles’ choice for strengthened abrasion resistance, combining it with other sleeves, while providing a sparkling effect. Anglers have used Flexo? Mylar to enhance their lures and flies. Chrome? XC is a Mylar? sleeve that has the look of polished braided steel, providing shielding and resistance to cuts, abrasion, and chemicals. L6? Liquid Wrap is a wraparound sleeving blended of braided polyester and Mylar? sheeting that shields against moisture in marine, automotive, and medical applications.

Vinyl is another polymer, its name coming from polyvinyl chloride (abbreviated PVC). It was first discovered in Germany in 1872, though it was refined in the 20th century. B.F. Goodrich Company continued the process of developing it between 1926 and 1933, with other additives. PVC has been used to cover electric wires, make pipes, in construction materials, in commercial signs, and in clothing. Techflex? uses vinyl in its Studio Key Wrap?, a blue and green sleeving created for studio sets to cover wiring, light booms, and stationary poles near green screens.

Techflex? also offers its Carbon Fiber? sleeve, with carbon fiber an extra durable material used in a range of applications, including military and aerospace airframes, fishing rods, model cars, and more. Joseph Wilson Swan first incorporated it into light bulbs around 1860, with Thomas Edison further improving on the process in 1879. During the 20th century, the refinement of carbon fiber continued, especially between the late 1950s and into the 1970s. Carbon fiber is in flexible heating, textiles, and other applications. This braided sleeving is seamless, has no overlap, and provides both stability and torsional strength (the ability to withstand twisting).

Learn more here about the full Techflex? specialty sleeves category.