Silicone Glassfiber Sleeve

Description

SIDA’s Silicone Glassfiber Sleeve represents the pinnacle of high-performance electrical insulation and thermal protection technology. Engineered for demanding industrial environments, this versatile sleeving combines the mechanical strength of braided E-glass fiber with the superior thermal and chemical resistance of silicone rubber coating.

Construction & Manufacturing Process Our sleeves are manufactured using a precision braiding process that transforms continuous non-alkali glass fiber yarn into a seamless, expandable tubular structure. The greige braid then undergoes a high-temperature vulcanization process where it is saturated with iron-oxide silicone elastomer, creating a robust bond that ensures the coating will not delaminate under thermal cycling or mechanical stress. This advanced construction yields a product with wall thickness uniformity within ±0.12mm and consistent dielectric performance across the entire length.

Key Performance Advantages Unlike conventional acrylic-coated fiberglass sleeves that typically support only 105°C–130°C, SIDA’s silicone coating enables continuous operation at 260°C with intermittent exposure up to 300°C. The material maintains flexibility even at cryogenic temperatures down to -60°C, preventing cracking in cold-start applications. When exposed to flame, the silicone coating forms a protective SiO₂ layer that insulates underlying components, meeting UL 1441 VW-1 vertical flame test standards with <30-second self-extinguishing time and minimal char length.

The sleeve’s chemical inertness provides exceptional resistance to hydraulic fluids, lubricating oils, fuels, acids, and alkalis, making it ideal for under-hood automotive and marine applications. UV and ozone resistance ensures 10+ year service life in outdoor installations without degradation.

Technical Data Tables

Indicator Name	Unit	Index Value
Exterior	/	Uniform coating, smooth surface, no defects affecting product performance
Inner Diameter and Wall Thickness	mm	Inner Diameter				Wall Thickness
		Standard	Tolerance			400		401
		Standard	Two-way (±)	Unidirectional (+)		Min	Max	Min	Max
		0.3	0.05	0.1		0.2	0.3	0.15	0.3
		0.5–0.8	0.1	0.2		0.25	0.5	0.2	0.5
		1	0.2	0.4		0.25	0.7	0.2	0.6
		1.5	0.2	0.4		0.35	0.7	0.2	0.6
		2	0.2	0.4		0.35	0.8	0.2	0.7
		2.5–3.0	0.2	0.4		0.4	0.8	0.2	0.7
		4.0–6.0	0.25	0.5		0.5	0.8	0.3	0.7
		8	0.25	0.5		0.5	1.0	0.3	1.0
		10	0.5	1		0.65	1.0	0.4	1.0
		12	0.5	1		0.65	1.2	0.4	1.2
16–20	1	2		0.65	1.2	0.4	1.2
25	1	2		0.65	1.4	0.4	1.4
Breakdown Voltage	kV ≥	Numerical Value			400		401
		At Room Temperature			Median	Lowest	Median	Lowest
		Projectile slot or straight mandrel / 100 mm foil electrode			5.7	4.3	3.3	2.5
		Under High Temperature			4.5	3.3	2.5	1.8
		After Damp Heat			4.0	3.0	2.1	1.5
Insulation Resistance	Ω	At Room Temperature				≥ 1.0 × 10¹¹
Insulation Resistance	Ω	After Damp Heat				≥ 1.0 × 10¹⁰
Flame Spread	S	Burning Time ≤ 60 s
Flame Spread	—	Any one of the three samples indicates that the flag shall not burn. Cotton shall not be ignited by ignited or hot particles or ignited drops.
Solder Heat Resistance	—	Pass (only for nominal inner diameter ≤ 5 mm hose)
Volatile Content	Low Level (%)	≤ 1.0				≤ 0.7
Volatile Content	Other Level (%)	≤ 1.5				≤ 1.5
Bending After Heating	—	No visible cracks or shedding of the coating, allowing the color to darken (test temperature: 180 ± 3 °C)
Bending at Low Temperatures	—	No visible cracks or shedding of the coating (test temperature: ≤ −70 ~ −5 °C)
Paint Resistance to Hydrolysis	—	There is no migration of the coating, no adhesion between the hose and the paper or test piece, and no discoloration of the paper.
Storage Period	—	6 Months

Custom Sizes: 0.5mm to 60mm ID available upon request with MOQ of 1,000m.

Note:The product specifications provided are for reference purposes only. Please refer to the actual product for final specifications. We also offer various sizes and thicknesses to meet your specific needs. For further customization, please contact us.

Application Scenarios

Electrical & Electronics Industry

H-Class Motor Insulation: Stator lead wires, coil connections, and bus bar insulation in high-temperature motors operating at 180°C–200°C
Transformer Protection: Primary/secondary winding lead-outs and tap changer insulation
Switchgear & Control Panels: Bus bar and cable bundle protection in compact panels with heat-generating components
Electronic Equipment: Internal wiring harnesses in power supplies, inverters, and industrial controllers

Automotive & Transportation

Engine Compartment Wiring: Protection of sensor wires, ignition cables, and fuel injector harnesses against radiant heat from exhaust manifolds (up to 650°C)
EV Battery Systems: High-voltage bus bar insulation and cooling hose protection in battery packs
Railway Applications: Cable protection in locomotives meeting EN 45545 HL3 fire safety requirements for interior and exterior use
Aerospace: Lightweight wire harness protection in avionics bays and engine nacelles

Industrial Machinery

Heating Equipment: Thermocouple wire insulation, heating element lead protection in industrial ovens and furnaces
Welding Equipment: Cable protection from molten metal splash and slag in robotic welding stations
Chemical Processing: Instrumentation wire protection in areas with chemical exposure and steam cleaning
Steel & Foundry: Hose and cable protection from molten metal splash and intense radiant heat

Energy & Infrastructure

Solar Inverters: DC and AC cable insulation in string combiner boxes exposed to rooftop temperatures
Wind Turbines: Nacelle wiring and pitch control system cable protection
Oil & Gas: Downhole instrumentation cable protection and offshore platform equipment wiring

Marine & Offshore

Engine Room Wiring: Protection against oil, salt spray, and high ambient temperatures
Exhaust System: Thermal insulation for small diameter pipes and sensor wires

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the main difference between silicone and acrylic fiberglass sleeves? A: Silicone fiberglass sleeves support continuous temperatures up to 260°C versus 130°C for acrylic versions. Silicone offers superior chemical resistance, UV stability, and maintains flexibility at extreme temperatures. Acrylic sleeves are cost-effective for low-temperature applications (<105°C) but will harden and crack above their rating.

Q2: How do I select the correct voltage grade for my application? A: Choose a voltage grade at least 2× your system’s nominal voltage. For 480V AC motor leads, use 1.5kV grade. For medium-voltage equipment (2.3kV–5kV), select 7.0kV grade. Always consider transient voltages and provide safety margins per IEC 60664-1.

Q3: Can the sleeve be installed over existing wire harnesses? A: Yes, the braided construction allows 20–30% radial expansion. For retrofit applications, select an ID 1.5× the existing bundle diameter. For long runs, use the “push-back” technique: compress the sleeve lengthwise to expand the diameter, slide over the cable, then release.

Q4: What certifications does SIDA silicone glassfiber sleeve carry? A: Our standard product is UL 1441 VW-1 listed (file E350987), REACH and RoHS 2.0 compliant, and meets EN 45545-2 HL2/HL3 for railway applications. UL 94 V-0 and CSA certification available upon request. Test reports from TÜV SÜD and SGS can be provided.

Q5: How does the sleeve perform in molten metal splash conditions? A: The iron-oxide silicone coating forms a sacrificial SiO₂ ceramic layer when exposed to molten metal splash up to 1,200°C. While the outer coating will char, the underlying glassfiber braid remains intact, protecting cables for the duration of the splash event (typically <30 seconds).

Q6: What is the shelf life and storage requirement? A: Unopened rolls have a 5-year shelf life when stored at 15–35°C and 35–65% RH. Keep away from direct UV exposure and ozone sources. Once opened, use within 12 months. The silicone coating may develop slight surface tack in high humidity; this does not affect performance.

Q7: Can you provide custom colors and printing? A: Yes, we can match Pantone colors with MOQ of 2,000m. Hot-foil printing with product codes, logos, or sequential length markings available for traceability. Laser marking is possible on white sleeves for permanent identification.

Q8: How do I determine the correct wall thickness? A: Wall thickness correlates with voltage rating and mechanical protection needs. For general-purpose insulation in static applications, 1.5kV grade (0.38mm) is sufficient. For high-vibration automotive or robotics applications, choose 4.0kV grade (0.48mm) for enhanced abrasion resistance.