Heat Shrink Tubing – Shelf Life Announcement (QPL M23053)

With the release of the new 23053 QPL in July of 2018 product shelf life was changed to dimensional life. This change means that shelf life is no longer a valid measurement of the products usefulness but it is now measured dimensionally.

The new QPL standard further clarifies that tubing may be used beyond 12 years provided the dimensions still meet the specification, eliminating the need to scrap or return tubing. Heat shrink tubing under M23053 does not expire, the standard calls for validation against the standard prior to use.

This eliminates the need to calculate percent of shelf life. If the dimension falls within QPL spec then the product qualifies and is good.

Below is a copy of the section in the QPL which covers dimensional life.

If you have existing tubing that is in question, Silver State would be happy to help confirm the dimensional life of it with you.

Should you have any questions please let us know,

Josh Lee

AMS-DTL-23053 (M23053) has a new QPL approaching

With a new QPL being approved for the heat shrink tubing market, there are several changes that will be happening in the near future. To start, all tubing built to military grade M23053 will have to be tested and certified by an approved QPL (Qualified Provider’s List) manufacturer.  Unlike the historical status of only requiring a “First Article Test Report” for acceptance.

The change was requested by several large military and aerospace end users who, along with manufacturers and various government entities, have a strong influence upon industry specifications within the SAE Standards Group. The change was supported and facilitated by SAE (AMS-DTL-23053), with the details and implementation being carried out through NAVAIR.

End users have long complained that there are too many low quality substandard products on the market that, despite being claimed as meeting the requirements of the current AMS-DTL-23053, fall short in any number of requirements, depending on the product and source. QPL approval was determined by SAE members to be the best remedy to eliminate such products from the supply chain and instill confidence in end users that they are receiving only the highest quality products for their often critical applications. Within the coming months, SAE AMS-DTL-23053 will be replaced with the new SAE-AS23053 requiring QPL approval. If you are new to QPL or would like to view existing QPL’s on NAVAIR’s website.

Like other QPL items, AS23053 will be on a 3 year review and retention of qualification cycle. Typically, re-qualification is much simpler and quicker than the initial qualification. As an authorized distributor of Sumitube® and Sumitomo® products, this will have little or no effect upon Silver State Wire & Cable.

Please contact us today for a quote, or information regarding your heat shrink tubing requirements.