TPS Slip On Heat Shrink Tubes

 Covalence (formerly Raychem) TPS 

Tubular Pipe Sleeves / Slip On Shrink Sleeves

     Once upon a time (decades ago) the original heat shrink sleeves created by Raychem Corp were extruded tubes.   Wrap around shrink sleeves weren't developed until later.  The idea was simple though; prior to the weld being made, the shrink sleeve would be slid into place (and moved away from the weld joint).  Then the pipe would be welded; allowed to cool a bit and then the shrink sleeve would have been moved into its proper place (on top of properly preheated pipe); the release paper would have been removed and then the sleeve shrunk.  Simple. 

    Though TPS is no longer the TOP DOG (so to speak) in the pipeline coating world; or even in the shrink sleeves for corrosion prevention world; there is still quite a market for TPS slip on shrink sleeves (now manufactured by Covalence - a part of the Seal for Life family).  

     TPS shrink tubes are kept in stock at JSI's facility in Conroe, TX 77385.  We stock tubes that are specifically made for the following pipe outside diameters:

2.375"

2.875"

3.5"

4.5"

6.625"

8.625"

Sleeves are also made for 10.75" OD and 12.75" OD but we have never found much of a market for them.  They can be available in larger quantities though. 

     What are some of the great features of a TPS shrink sleeve?  

• The butyl mastic is quite forgiving, meaning that the product can be installed on pipe that is wire brushed clean (and free of dirt, grease, etc).  
• The product can be installed on pipe that has been preheated to only 140F (hand hot)
• The installation process is quite simple:  clean, preheat, slide into place, shrink.  
• Decades of use successful use history.  Despite what you may see in some of our competitors advertising; TPS is a great product.  In my 20 years I've not heard of a single failure or a single problem caused by this product.  If you have experienced one; please reach out and let me know about it:   steve@jsicoatings.com

     One of the greatest features of (many) Covalence shrink sleeves is the PCI (permanent change indicator).  Over the years it has also been called a permanent thermal indicator. This is a close up of the TPS sleeve backing (easily visible to the naked eye even without a close up as you can see in the first photo up above).  This cross hatch pattern in the TPS disappears as the shrunk tubing is properly shrunk; fading to a clean, smooth black surface.  

     This allows installers to see that they are properly shrink the TPS sleeve - and it allows inspectors; even if they a day or a week late; to see that the sleeve was properly shrunk.  It is a wonderful tool!.

     Now if you're looking for a product other than TPS; I would certainly love to speak to you about that.  Maybe you're looking for Canusa's PLA product.  Much like the TPS, PLA is a slip on (slide the shrink sleeve in place before the pipe is welded up) shrink sleeve.  I would love to talk to you about it.

    Likewise, maybe you're looking for heat shrink tubing that is designed for substrates smaller than 2.375".  Maybe you need something for 1" pipe and perhaps our Flexclad heat shrinkable tape would be the perfect product for you.  Maybe you're looking for something even smaller and you need Raychem's WCSM - low voltage heat shrink for splicing and sealing up cable connections (and cable repairs).

     No matter what your application is, I would love the opportunity to talk to you about the different options we might have available for you. 

Tubular Shrink Sleeves (TPS)

Heat Shrink Tubes - TPS

An installed TPS shrink sleeve.

     Shrink sleeves for preventing corrosion on pipelines come a number of different varieties, material types and configurations.  When looking specifically at configurations, the most basic breakdown looks at wrap around shrink sleeves and tubular shrink sleeves.  For this discussion today we will be looking specifically at tubular shrink sleeves.

     Often called slip on sleeves or slide on sleeves; tubular shrink sleeves are supplied already in the shape of a tube.  As a result, they must be slipped onto the pipeline before the weld is made at the field joint.  Sometimes this is a fine and acceptable option.  Other times, the crews can sometimes forget to slide them on in advance -- and then they must rush a wrap around sleeve out to the job site to use. 

     The most basic tubular pipe sleeve that Covalence (formerly Raychem) manufactures is called TPS - that stands for Tubular Pipe Sleeve.  It is generally used only on smaller pipe sizes.  This is because of the machinery that manufactures these tubes.  TPS is available for pipe sizes 2" thru 8". 

     TPS shrink sleeves are designed to be used on pipelines that will operate at ambient temperatures.  Ambient is generally defined as 104F or less.  By "operate" we mean a consistent temperature.  TPS sleeves are generally available in two different lengths - by lengths I mean coverage along the pipe.  Those two TPS lengths are 9" and 18".  When choosing a length it is important to be aware that a shrink sleeve needs to be wide enough to coat all bare steel and overlap onto the adjacent factory applied coating by at least 2-3" per side.  It is important to verify acceptable overlap with the applicable specifications as some end users can require 4 or even 5" of overlap on either side.

• Dimpled backing of the TPS provides a permanent change indicator for application of heat.  This ensures the correct application of heat and allows easy post heat inspection (even months later).  Reliable inspectability at any time.
• No primer required - which saves cost and installation time and labor costs.
• Low preheat sensitivity and proven functionality allow easy application combined with high functional performance.  
• Mechanically strong and resists abrasion, impact and penetration.  TPS is reliable, tough and user friendly.
• Specially formulated sealant ensures a strong bond and a tight seal.  High peel and shear values after installation.
• Sealing adhesive automatically flows and repairs minor mechanical damage - this is called the self healing effect.
• No special equipment or skills required. 

Thermofit Pipe Sleeve

Thermofit Pipe Sleeve

Raychem (now called Covalence) Thermofit Pipe Sleeve

     Thermofit TPS is a thick walled, heat shrinkable, tubular sleeve made from radiation crosslinked polyolefins and precoated with specially formulated visco elastic mastic and adhesive sealants. 
    
     The sleeve jacket resists abrasion, impact and penetration, yet is flexible even at very low temperatures.  The sealants are designed to flow and fill all surface irregularities and possess excellent bonding and sealing characteristics to most all polymers, metals and commonly used pipe coatings. 

     TPS protects welded pipe joints against corrosion and protects the insulation material of preinsulated pipelines against water penetration. 

     Thermofit pipe sleeves resist temperature cycling, soil stresses, hyrdrostatic pressure and chemical attack.  Heat and UV stabilized materials act as moisture barrier, unaffected by common solvents and fluids and resistant to cathodic disbondment. 

     TPS thermofit sleeves can be applied on all types of pipe coatings and outer jackets; will easily accomodate variations in pipe size or insulation thickness and is compatible with marine mastic pours.

     No special skills or equipment are necessary.  Resists abuses during handling and backfilling.  Needs no primer.  Compatible with all mill-applied coatings.  May be installed directly over hot weld.  No rock shield required.  Sleeve lengths may be overlapped. 

Installer shrinks TPS sleeve around pipeline to provide superior corrosion protection.

TPS has proven to be the ideal system for district heating systems throughout Europe.

TPS shrink sleeves providing maximum joint protection on oil line in Peru. 

Thermofit Tubular Heat Shrink Pipe Sleeves (TPS)

Thermofit Tubular Heat Shrink Pipe Sleeves (TPS)

One-piece heat-shrinkable sleeve for corrosion protection of girth weld joints
on various types of piping systems.

Product Description:

TPS

Construction: two-layer system: 

• First Layer: visco-elastic mastic sealant.
  
• Second Layer: thick-walled, radiation-cross-linked, high density polyethylene.

TPS(M) are heat-shrinkable, tubular sleeves which prevent corrosion of welded pipe joints in distribution lines for sizes up to 8.625"/DN200. For larger sizes, the use of the Raychem wraparound sleeve, WPC, is recommended. This mechanically strong and flexible sleeve is compatible with all standard pipeline coatings and outer jackets.

 The installation is carried out directly on the cleaned and dried (pre-heated) pipe surface without primer. Heat is applied to the sleeve, which shrinks to form a tight fit around the joint. While shrinking, the visco-elastic sealant homogeneously flows to cover the complete surface and fills in all surface irregularities.

 Product Features/Benefits:

• Dimpled backing (TPS) provides a "Permanent Change Indicator" (PCI) for application of heat. Ensures correct application of heat & allows easy post-heat inspection. Reliable inspectability at any time.
• No primer required. Saves installation time.
• Low preheat sensitivity & proven functionality. Allows easy application combined with high functional performance. Saves installation time.
• Mechanically strong & resists abrasion, impact and penetration. Reliable and tough. Remains user-friendly (even at low temperatures).
• Specially formulated sealants. Ensures a strong bond & a tight seal. Provides high peel and shear values after installation.
• Sealing adhesive automatically flows and repairs minor mechanical damages. "Self-healing effect" that saves time.
• No special equipment or skills required. Makes installation fast and easy. Keeps installation costs low.

 Product Selection Guide:

Max operating temperature: 30°C (86°F)
 

Compatible line coatings: PE, FBE, Tape, Coal tar and Asphalt
 

Min preheat temperature: 60°C (140°F)

Recommended pipe preparation: Clean, dry and free of grease
 

Soil stress restrictions: moderate
 

Performance: EN12068; class B30

TPS(M) Type Products are Available: 

• as ready-to-size tubular sleeves
• Drawing sleeve width, pipe diameter
  Take a 10% shrinkage during installation of sleeve width into account when calculating the minimum sleeve width.
• For pipe sizes exceeding DN200, the use of wraparound WPC sleeves is recommended.

TPSM Heat Shrink Sleeves Covalence / Raychem

     Once upon a time, the Raychem sales team in Europe came to R&D with a request.  They wanted to sell the TPS (tubular pipe sleeve) product in Europe (and elsewhere in the world) but they were running into some difficulties as TPS shrink sleeves are sized in inches and just about every other country in the world sizes pipe in millimeters (yes, we in America are WAY behind the times and too stubborn for our own good sometimes).  So, those folks in other parts of the world wanted a TPS sleeve that was sized in millimeters. 

The sleeve on the right is a TPS sleeve; very similar to a TPSM sleeve.

      Thus, TPSM (tubular pipe sleeve / millimeters) was born.  To further complicate things, they decided to further complicate things, product development also decided to make some minor tweaks to backing thickness and adhesive thickness.  But all that aside; when we do get a call for Covalence's TPSM product my first step is to try to determine if our TPS might be a suitable replacement (we stock it by the thousands).  I've generally found that TPS shrink sleeves have almost always been accepted where TPSM shrink sleeves were originally requested.