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Tyco Electronics Corporation
300 Constitutional Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA
Specification
This Issue:
Date:
Replaces:
RT-350
Issue 17
April 9, 2004
Issue 16
THERMOFIT® RNF-100 TUBING
Polyolefin, Flexible, Heat-Shrinkable
1. SCOPE
This specification covers the requirements for two types of flexible electrical insulating, extruded tubing
whose diameter will reduce to a predetermined size upon the application of heat in excess of 121°C (250°F).
1.1 TYPE 1
Type 1 tubing shall be flame-retardant and shall be black, white, red, yellow, or blue unless otherwise
specified.
1.2 TYPE 2
Type 2 tubing shall not be flame-retardant and shall be clear.
2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
This specification takes precedence over documents referenced herein. Unless otherwise specified, the latest
issue of referenced documents applies. The following documents form a part of this specification to the
extent specified herein.
2.1 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED DOCUMENTS
Military
ASTM D 910 Gasoline, Aviation, Grades 80/87, 100, and 115/145
MIL-PRF-5606 Hydraulic Fluid, Petroleum Base, Aircraft, Missile and Ordnance
MIL-T-83133 Turbine Fuel, Aviation, Grade JP-8
MIL-STD-104 Limits for Electrical Insulation Color
2.2 OTHER PUBLICATIONS
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
D 910 Standard Spec. for Aviation Gasolines
D 2671 Standard Methods of Testing Heat-Shrinkable Tubing for Electrical Use
(Copies of ASTM publications may be obtained from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 1916
Race Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.)
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
ISO 846 Plastics – Evaluation of the action of Microorganisms
(Copies of ISO publications may be obtained from the International Organization for Standardization, 1, rue
de Varembé, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland or via the ISO website at
http://www.iso.ch/iso/en/ISOOnline.frontpage)
Page 2 SPECIFICATION RT-350 ISSUE 17
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3. REQUIREMENTS
3.1 MATERIALS
The tubing shall be fabricated from thermally stabilized, modified polyolefin and shall be crosslinked by
irradiation. It shall be homogeneous and essentially free from flaws, defects, pinholes, bubbles, seams,
cracks, and inclusions.
3.2 PROPERTIES
The tubing shall meet the requirements of Table 3.
4. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS
4.1 CLASSIFICATION OF TESTS
4.1.1 Qualification Tests
Qualification tests are those performed on tubing submitted for qualification as a satisfactory product and
shall consist of all tests listed in this specification.
4.1.2 Acceptance Tests
Acceptance tests are those performed on tubing submitted for acceptance under contract. Acceptance tests
shall be: dimensions, longitudinal change, tensile strength, ultimate elongation, secant modulus, flammability
(Type 1 only), and heat shock. Statistical process control data may be used to demonstrate conformance for
dimensions.
4.2 SAMPLING INSTRUCTIONS
4.2.1 Qualification Test Samples
Qualification test samples shall consist of 50 feet (15 m) of black, white and clear tubing. Qualification of
black and white shall qualify all colors. Clear shall be qualified separately. Qualification of any size within
each size range specified below shall qualify all sizes within that size range.
Range of Sizes
3/64 through 1/4
3/8 through 1
1-1/4 through 5
4.2.2 Acceptance Test Sample
Acceptance test samples shall consist of not less than 16 feet (5 m) of tubing selected at random from each
compound batch or the first sleeving production lot of the batch compound. Physical property tests
performed at this time qualify subsequent sleeving lots produced from the same compound batch.
4.3 TEST PROCEDURES
Condition test specimens and measurement gauges at 23 ± 3°C (73 ± 5°F) and ambient relative humidity
prior to all testing, whether before or after heat shrinking. Unless otherwise specified, perform tests on
specimens which have been fully recovered by conditioning for 3 minutes in a 200 ± 5°C (392 ± 9°F) oven.
Use mechanical convection type ovens in which air passes the specimens at a velocity of 100 to 200 feet (30
to 60 m) per minute.
SPECIFICATION RT-350 ISSUE 17 Page 3
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4.3.1 Dimensions and Longitudinal Change
Measure three 6-inch (150 mm) specimens of tubing, as supplied, for length ± 1/32 inch
(± 1 mm), and inside diameter in accordance with ASTM D 2671. Condition the specimens for 3 minutes in
a 200 ± 5°C (392 ± 9°F) oven, cool to 23 ± 3°C (73 ± 5°F) and then remeasure. Prior to and after
conditioning, the dimensions of the tubing shall be in accordance with Table 1 and the longitudinal change
shall be in accordance with Table 3. Calculate the longitudinal change as follows:
C = L1 - L0
L0 x 100
Where: C = Longitudinal Change [Percent]
L
0 = Length Before Conditioning [Inches (mm)]
L
1 = Length After Conditioning [Inches (mm)]
4.3.2 Tensile Strength and Ultimate Elongation
Determine the tensile strength and ultimate elongation of the tubing in accordance with ASTM D 2671 using
1-inch (25-mm) bench marks, a 1-inch (25-mm) initial jaw separation, and jaw separation speed of 20 ± 2
inches (500 ± 50 mm) per minute.
4.4 REJECTION AND RETEST
Failure of any sample of tubing to conform to any one of the requirements of this specification shall be cause
for rejection of the lot represented. Tubing which has been rejected may be replaced or reworked to correct
the defects and resubmitted for acceptance. Before resubmitting, full particulars concerning previous
rejection and action taken to correct the defects shall be furnished to the inspector.
5. PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY
5.1 FORM
The tubing shall be supplied on spools or in lengths of 48 +1, -0 inches (1220 +25.4, -0 mm) unless
otherwise specified.
5.2 PACKAGING
Packaging shall be in accordance with good commercial practice.
5.3 MARKING
Each container of tubing shall be permanently and legibly marked with the size, quantity, manufacturer's
identification, specification number, and lot number.
Page 4 SPECIFICATION RT-350 ISSUE 17
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TABLE 1
Tubing Dimensions
As Supplied As Recovered
Inside Diameter Inside Diameter Wall Thickness
Size Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Nominal
in.
mm. in. mm. in. mm. in. mm. in. mm.
3/64 .046 1.17 .023 0.58 .013 0.33 .019 0.48 .016 0.40
1/16 .063 1.60 .031 0.79 .014 0.35 .020 0.50 .017 0.43
3/32 .093 2.36 .046 1.17 .017 0.43 .023 0.58 .020 0.50
1/8 .125 3.17 .062 1.57 .017 0.43 .023 0.58 .020 0.50
3/16 .187 4.74 .093 2.36 .017 0.43 .023 0.58 .020 0.50
1/4 .250 6.35 .125 3.17 .022 0.56 .028 0.71 .025 0.64
3/8 .375 9.50 .187 4.74 .022 0.56 .028 0.71 .025 0.64
1/2 .500 12.70 .250 6.35 .022 0.56 .028 0.71 .025 0.64
3/4 .750 19.05 .375 9.50 .027 0.69 .033 0.84 .030 0.76
1 1.000 25.40 .500 12.70 .030 0.76 .040 1.01 .035 0.88
1-1/4 1.250 31.75 .625 14.30 .034 0.86 .046 1.17 .040 1.01
1-1/2 1.500 38.10 .750 19.05 .034 0.86 .046 1.17 .040 1.01
2 2.000 50.80 1.000 25.40 .038 0.96 .052 1.32 .045 1.14
3 3.000 76.20 1.500 38.10 .042 1.06 .058 1.47 .050 1.27
4 4.000 101.60 2.000 50.80 .046 1.16 .064 1.63 .055 1.39
5 5.000 127.00 2.500 63.50 .051 1.30 .069 1.75 .060 1.52
TABLE 2
Mandrel Dimensions for Bend Testing
Tubing Size Mandrel Diameter
in.
mm.
3/64 to 1/4 inclusive 5/16 7.9
3/8 to 5 inclusive 3/8 9.5
SPECIFICATION RT-350 ISSUE 17 Page 5
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TABLE 3
Requirements
REQUIREMENT
PROPERTY UNIT TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TEST METHOD
PHYSICAL
Dimensions
Inches (mm)
In accordance
with Table 1
In accordance
with Table 1
Section 4.3.1
ASTM D 2671
Longitudinal Change Percent +0, -5 +0, -5
Tensile Strength psi (MPa) 1500 minimum
(10.3)
1500 minimum
(10.3)
Section 4.3.2
ASTM D 2671
Ultimate Elongation Percent 200 minimum 200 minimum
Secant Modulus (Expanded) psi (MPa) 2.5 x 104
maximum
(172)
2.5 x 104
maximum
(172)
ASTM D 2671
Specific Gravity --- 1.35 maximum 1.0 maximum ASTM D 2671
Low Temperature Flexibility
4 hours at -55 ± 1°C (-67 ± 2°F)
--- No cracking No cracking Table 2
ASTM D 2671
Procedure C
Heat Shock
4 hours at 250 ± 3°C (482 ± 5°F)
--- No dripping,
flowing or
cracking
No dripping,
flowing or
cracking
Table 2
ASTM D 2671
Heat Resistance
168 hours at 175 ± 2°C (347 ± 4°F)
Followed by test for:
--- --- --- ASTM D 2671
Ultimate Elongation Percent 150 minimum 150 minimum
Color --- MIL-STD-104 --- MIL-STD-104
Color Stability
48 hours at 175 ± 2°C (347 ± 4°F)
--- MIL-STD-104 --- ASTM D 2671
ELECTRICAL
Dielectric Strength
Volts/mil
(volts/mm)
500 minimum
(19,680)
500 minimum
(19,680)
NOTE 1
ASTM D 2671
Volume Resistivity ohm-cm 1014 minimum 1016 minimum ASTM D 2671
CHEMICAL
Copper Mirror Corrosion 16 hours at 175 ±
2°C (347 ± 4°F)
-
--
No removal of
copper
No removal of
copper
ASTM D 2671
Procedure A
Copper Contact Corrosion
168 hours at 160 ± 2°C (320 ± 4°F)
--- No pitting or
blackening of
copper
No pitting or
blackening of
copper
ASTM D 2671
Procedure B
Copper Stability
168 hours at 160 ± 2°C (320 ± 4°F)
Followed by test for:
--- No brittleness,
glazing,
cracking, or
severe
discoloration of
tubing
No brittleness,
glazing,
cracking, or
severe
discoloration of
tubing
Ultimate Elongation Percent 200 minimum 200 minimum
Page 6 SPECIFICATION RT-350 ISSUE 17
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TABLE 3
Requirements
(continued)
PROPERTY UNIT TYPE 1 TYPE 2 TEST METHOD
CHEMICAL (continued)
Flammability
---
Self-
extinguishing
within
1 minute, 25%
maximum flag
burn
---
ASTM D 2671
Procedure B
Water Absorption
24 hours at 23°C (73°F)
Percent 0.5 maximum 0.2 maximum ASTM D 2671
Fluid Resistance
24 hours at 23°C (73°F) in:
JP-8 Fuel (MIL-T-83133)
Skydrol* 500
Hydraulic Fluid (MIL-PRF-5606)
Aviation Gasoline (100)
(ASTM D 910)
Water
Followed by tests for:
--- --- --- ASTM D 2671
Dielectric Strength Volts/mil
(volts/mm)
400 minimum
(15,760)
400 minimum
(15, 760)
Tensile Strength psi (MPa) 1000 minimum
(6.9)
1000 minimum
(6.9)
Fungus Resistance
Followed by tests for:
Tensile Strength
Ultimate Elongation
Dielectric Strength
psi (Mpa)
percent
Volts per mil
(volts per mm)
1500 minimum
(10.3)
200 minimum
500 minimum
(19,680)
1500 minimum
(10.3)
200 minimum
500 minimum
(19,680)
ISO 846
Method B
Section 4.3.2
ASTM D 2671
ASTM D 2671
*Trademark of the Monsanto Company
NOTE 1: Recover the specimens on the metal mandrels for 10 minutes, minimum, at 175 ± 3°C (347 ± 5°F) or until the
tubing is completely shrunk on the mandrels.
