Raychem Provider of Radiation Chemistry Technology

Raychem Corporation founded in 1957 was a major provider of radiation chemistry technology. The founders combined their technology with material sciences to produce products like aircraft wire and heat-shrinkable tubing. Innovative circuit protection products that had the capability of automatically resetting after circuit faults were cleared, were also developed by the company.

In 1999, Raychem was acquired by Tyco International Ltd after it merged with AMP and was divided into 2 divisions : electronics and heat tracing. Raychem Heat-Tracing Division was named Raychem HTS(for heat-tracing systems) and was made a part of Tycos Flow Control Division. It acquired a number of heat-tracing related companies like Accutron, Isopad and Tracer Industries.

But in 2001, Raychem had to face a dilemma as the same name applied to 3 different things. One business(heat tracing) brand(Raychem) and cable technology(self-regulating) all operated under the same name. But, after acquiring different brands, technologies and capabilities, Raychem HTS was renamed Tyco Thermal Controls.
Tyco Thermal Controls, which took over Raychem, is now, a company operating in more than 48 countries providing products and services for heat tracing, floor heating, snow melting and de-icing, wiring and other applications. It is a major provider of security alarm monitoring and anti-theft systems along with fire alarms and services. Safety products like fire suppression systems and emergency breathing systems and video and access control is also manufactured by the company. Electrical and Metal products comprising of metal conduit, armored electrical cable and steel fence post tubing is also provided by the company.
Tyco Electronics which purchased Raychem runs operations in more than 45 countries around the globe with manufacturing facilities in over 25 countries. It is the largest supplier of passive electronic components in the world. The product range comprises of interconnect systems, relays, switches, touch screens, sensors and wires along with other electronic products used in the automotive, computer, consumer electronics, aerospace, and other markets.

Its Network Solutions segment is a supplier of infrastructure components for telecommunication and energy markets. Connectors, heat shrink tubing, cable accessories are some of its products. Wireless systems like radar sensors, radio frequency identification components are mainly sold to the aerospace and defense, communication equipment and automotive markets. Paul Cook, an inventor and engineer established Raychem in 1957.

It had the privilege of being a renowned company as the inventors and purveyors of self-regulating heat tracing technology for 30 years. In 1969, Raychem acquired Chemelex and produced the worlds first self regulating heating cable. For the next 20 years, the company concentrated on polymer science and continued developing and marketing innovative solutions. It entered the underfloor heating market in 1998 after acquiring Thorin and Thorin- a Swedish floor heating specialist. Finally in 1999 the company was bought by Tyco International and now operates as one of its segments. Tyco electronics