Solder and Crimp Connectors

FTLV solder connectors: structure, properties and applications

If the solder connection of two or more cables is to be sealed watertight and almost airtight, the use of a solder connector is recommended due to its quick and easy installation. This allows the litz to be soldered simply by using a heat gun. This simplifies the soldering process and ensures controlled soldering as well as a high reproducible soldering quality of the connections. Thus, GREMCO’s heat-shrinking FTLV solder connector enables reliable, insulated, electrical connection of two or more stranded wires as well as shield connections in a single operation.

Structure of a solder connector

A solder connector is a heat-shrinkable tubing with an internal solder ring. This solder melts when sufficiently heated and then connects the two conductors, ensuring not only an electrically high-quality connection and mechanical stability, but also a controlled soldering process. As a result of the heating, the heat-shrinkable tubing contracts around the connection, thereby insulating it. Additional sealing is achieved by using thermoplastic sealing rings at the ends of the solder joint.

Processing of a solder sleeve

The processing of solder connectors should be carried out with a heat gun or infrared device with appropriate reflectors, as this ensures uniform heating of the solder connector. Our HG3000 SLE is ideal for this purpose. In this process, the two-wire ends are first pushed into the connector so that the solder lies exactly over the overlapping strands. The solder sleeve is then heated by hot air, which melts the alloy and thus bonds the two strands together. After cooling, a mechanically stable and electrically well-conducting connection remains.

Properties of a FTLV solder connector

FTLV solder connectors from GREMCO feature not only easy processing and reproducible electrical connection quality but also excellent mechanical and chemical resistance due to the combined use of a solder ring with flux and a heat-shrinkable sleeve. At this point, the tensile strength (6.7 MPa min.), dielectric strength (2kV/mm min.), and moisture density should also be emphasized as properties. Also, our solder sleeves are non-corrosive and self-extinguishing. The use of transparent shrink sleeves, whose minimum shrink temperature is +115°C, results in very good fixation of the cables due to the length of the sleeves, allows visual inspection of the connection, and ensures abrasion protection. The sealing rings used also support sealing against environmental influences and are made of various thermoplastics such as PE or FEP.

Particularly noteworthy here is our FTLV-NT as low-temperature solder connector (temperature range: -55°C to +105°C) as well as our FTLV-HT as a high-temperature connector (temperature range: -55°C to +150°C). Both offer versatile applications due to a diameter range of 0.9-6mm. Furthermore, they can be used as reliable shield connectors with consistently high-quality connection when connecting and terminating temperature sensitive as well as temperature resistant wires to contact strips and connectors. Our solder connector with a eutectic solder thus enables excellent encapsulation, strain relief, and insulation of the connection of two cables in just one step.

Typical applications of an FTLV solder connector

Our FTLV solder connectors can be used for reliable shield connections and electrical line splices, among others:

• for high- and low-temperature cables
• in the aftermarket, e.g. for retrofit cable sets
• for repairs and maintenance
• in the automotive and aerospace industries
• in medical and environmental technology
• for model making