EuroWire May 2022

Technology News

WMC leads plastic-free product revolution With increasing demand across the construction sector for products that offer reduced or zero plastic components, a manufacturer of fire-resistant mineral insulated cables says that specifiers and building designers can have “the best of both worlds” when it comes to building safety and environmental credentials. WMC believes that by focusing on the green credentials of products, plastic waste can be significantly reduced. For example, MICC cable is a non-ageing product, and does not use any plastics to aid fire performance. WMC’s bare MICC cable option consists of just two materials: copper and magnesium oxide. Neither will burn, and both elements are inorganic and non-carcinogenic. This results in no added smoke or toxins in a fire situation, creating no harm towards the natural environment. The copper used in the cables is 100 per cent recyclable.

Williams, factory manager at Wrexham Mineral Cables. “As a responsible manu facturer, we understand the role we can play in reducing the impacts our products have on the world around us. “Although recycling efforts are changing, cables that contain artificial fire retardants are still extremely difficult to recycle, po tentially resulting in tens of thousands of tons of unrecyclable plastic being sent to landfill. “With our MICC cable we don’t need polymer covers to aid fire protection. Our bare cable option consists of just two inorganic materials, where the copper element is 100 per cent recyclable. The result is a totally inorganic and silicone free cable that maintains integrity in extreme fire conditions, whilst offering an environmentally friendly solution.” WrexhamMineral Cables www.wrexhammineralcables.com Advanced); a robust, high-power plasma generator with spark frequencies up to 1,000 Hz; start/stop averaging button/ spark indicator; and on/off safety switch to control line/mains power. Adapter kits offer a variety of easy-to-use solutions to meet a wide range of analysis requirements of material control, from adjusting for differing sample shapes and sizes to optimising positioning on the spark stand. The Spectromaxx LMX09 Arc/Spark OES analyser is available in two models. The basic Spectromaxx features a single air optic with high-resolution CCD sensors, and can handle elemental wavelengths from 233 to 670 nm. The Spectromaxx Advanced adds a new UV optic with four high-resolution CMOS detectors, for an extended wavelength range that covers elements from 120 to 235 nm. A closed system circulates gas through Spectro’s UV Plus cleaning cartridge, eliminating extra argon consumption and contamination risks. Both versions feature a temperature-stabilised system that heats both optics. The analysers are available as floor mounted units with optional PC stands or as bench-top models for a minimum footprint. Spectro Analytical Instruments GmbH www.spectro.com

WrexhamMineral Cables (WMC) produces what it describes as the only true “fire survival” cable. Offering the highest levels of fire performance, the company says it is also seeing increased interest in the environmental benefits of its products. UK Government data recently revealed that plastic waste from the construction sector had risen by 46 per cent in just two years. This followed a comment from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the industry needs to “cut down our use of plastics” to solve the problem.

Themajority of other cables on themarket require plastics or polymers to protect the conductors. A standard SWA four-core 4mm cable can contain around 270g of plastic per metre – the equivalent of 54 plastic bags being sent to landfill. “Reducing plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues in recent years,” commented Huw iCAL 2.0 automatically compensates for most changes in environmental temperature or pressure. The system allows reductions in argon gas consumption – 6 to 12 per cent during operation and 18 to 64 per cent during standby – without impacting performance. The wavelength range has been expanded, and users have the option of a new UV optic to handle a spectral range from 120 to 235 nm, extending analyses to elements such as nitrogen, carbon, sulphur and phosphorus, as well as hydrogen and oxygen in titanium base materials. The analyser also operates easily with Spectro’s Spark Analyzer Pro software, which features application profiles, automatic program selection and argon saver. New functions include the ability to recall stored spectra for later re-evaluation/ recalculation; extended data export functions; quick check programs for the rapid analysis of iron and aluminium; and on-site upgrades/additions of analytical methods without any hardware changes. Hardware improvements include a new spark stand configuration with easier ac cess for automation options; a new optic isolation concept for greater tempera ture stability; UV optic (on Spectromaxx

Next-generation analysis The latest version of the Spectromaxx Arc/ Spark OES analyser, from Spectro Analyti cal Instruments, features improvements for the reliable advanced analysis of in coming and outgoing materials at metal producing and fabricating plants.

The Spectromaxx LMX09 analyser gives users quick infor mation to rapidly react to changing pro cess conditions. It also provides advanced diagnostics and easy maintenance that increases availability and prevents down time. Features include simple standardisation with Spectro’s proprietary iCAL 2.0 calibration logic, needing only five minutes and a single sample per day. ninth-generation

Floor-mounted units with optional PC stands are available, as well as bench-top models

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May 2022