Compression force is defined as the pressure felt by an underlying object.
When wrapped around an object and heated, Hi-Shrink Tape will shrink until fully restrained by the object. Once fully restrained, the remaining shrink force maintains tension in the tape, which is then felt as compression force by the underlying object.
This compression force is then maintained without relaxation during any baking and cooling periods.
The compression force that can be achieved will vary according to many factors, including:
- Diameter of the object to be taped: The smaller the diameter, the greater the compression force. Conversely, the larger the diameter, the lesser the compression force.
- Thickness of the tape (.002" or .005"): The .005" tape will exert
2 1/2 times the compression force as .002" tape.
- Number of layers or laps of tape applied: Two layers of tape will exert twice the compression force of one layer; three layers = three times the force, and so on.
- Temperature to which tape is exposed: The compression force drops off outside the range of 200° F to 400° F.
- Compressibility of the object: The more the object compresses before the tape is fully restrained from shrinking, the less force will be available to apply final pressure.
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