Abstract: A tubular heat recoverable article has two layers in thermal contact, one inside the other. The two layers have appreciably different recovery temperatures. Shrinking of the article on to a substrate is effected by applying heat to the outer layer (1) of higher recovery temperature such that conduction to the inner layer (2) of lower recovery temperature ensures that the inner layer (2) reaches its recovery temperature, and thus becomes elastomeric, before the outer layer begins to recover. The article, which may be used in an electric power cable splice, thus combines good storage life with good recovery time.