RAYCHEM HEAT SHRINK SLEEVE MWTM-16/5

RAYCHEM HEAT SHRINK SLEEVE MWTM-16/5

RAYCHEM HEAT SHRINK SLEEVE MWTM-16/5 – Medium-Wall Cross-Linked Polyolefin Tubing

The RAYCHEM HEAT SHRINK SLEEVE MWTM-16/5 (manufactured by TE Connectivity / Raychem under the MWTM product series) is a heavy-duty, medium-wall heat shrink tubing engineered to provide electrical insulation, environmental sealing, and mechanical protection for low-voltage power cables. Formulated from cross-linked polyolefin (XLPO), this semi-rigid sleeve features a 3:1 shrink ratio and an internal hot-melt adhesive/sealant liner that activates during the heating process.

As illustrated in the product image, the RAYCHEM HEAT SHRINK SLEEVE MWTM-16/5 starts with an expanded internal diameter of 16 mm. When uniform heat (120°C) is applied using a heat gun or gas torch, the sleeve shrinks tightly down to a maximum fully recovered diameter of 5 mm, forming a moisture-proof seal over cable conductors, lugs, and splices.

Key Features of the RAYCHEM HEAT SHRINK SLEEVE MWTM-16/5

• Wide 3:1 Shrink Profile (16 mm to 5 mm): Features an expanded internal diameter of 16 mm that shrinks down to 5 mm upon heating, making it versatile for a range of cable diameters from 5.5 mm to 14.5 mm.

• Integrated Hot-Melt Adhesive Liner: Equipped with a co-extruded internal sealant wall that melts and flows during shrinking, encapsulating the cable connection to lock out water, moisture, and environmental pollutants.

• Medium-Wall Mechanical Defense: Constructed with a semi-rigid wall thickness (recovering up to 1.4–1.5 mm) to provide abrasion resistance, strain relief, and physical protection against soil impact.

• UV & Weather Resistance: Formulated with carbon black additives to ensure long-term stability against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, soil alkalis, and atmospheric weathering.

• Halogen-Free & Environmentally Safe: Contains zero halogens or heavy metals, producing low smoke and non-corrosive fumes during thermal shrinkage.

• High Dielectric Strength: Provides electrical insulation rated for low-voltage applications up to 1 kV.

Common Applications and Field Usage

The mechanical durability, moisture resistance, and high dielectric performance of the RAYCHEM HEAT SHRINK SLEEVE MWTM-16/5 make it suitable for electrical installation and maintenance environments:

• Low-Voltage Cable Jointing & Splicing: Functions as the outer protective jacket and core insulation over inline power cable splices up to 1 kV.

• Sub-Surface & Underground Trenching: Encapsulates underground cable connections, preventing water ingress and soil chemical corrosion in buried conduits.

• Outdoor & Utility Cable Terminations: Seals and insulates exposed cable ends, lugs, and outdoor junction connections against rain and UV degradation.

• Industrial Cable Sheath Repair: Serves as a sleeve for rejacketing damaged outer sheaths on multi-core control and power cables.

Technical Specifications

The electrical, mechanical, and material specifications for the RAYCHEM HEAT SHRINK SLEEVE MWTM-16/5 include:

Installation Guidelines and Best Practices

SAFETY NOTICE: Always wear protective gear when operating heating torches or high-temperature heat guns.

• Surface Preparation: Clean and degrease the cable jacket and conductor insulation to ensure optimal hot-melt adhesive adhesion.

• Heating Procedure: Slide the RAYCHEM HEAT SHRINK SLEEVE MWTM-16/5 over the joint, then begin shrinking from the center outward toward both ends using a smooth, continuous circular torch motion to avoid localized overheating.

• Adhesive Flow Check: Heat until the tubing recovers completely over the cable and a small bead of melted hot-melt sealant extrudes from both open ends.