EuroWire September 2018

Technology News

ONE year from the CPR introduction in July 2017, the cable market is still in constant evolution, looking for innovative solutions and investigating the most effective direction to implement the performances required in the new EU regulation. Mixer bedding compounds have enabled European cable producers to achieve B2 classes, with minor changes in the cable designs and ensuring a profitable balance between cost and performance. In 2017, the sales of the above-mentioned materials increased by 80 per cent, leading to the development of new classes of bedding to boost this growth. New products have been created to complete the series 3, 5 and 9, offering different features of LOI, costs and processability. The drummable series 3RP3x now includes extra flexible grades for low temperature resistance; the XLPE/PVC series 3RP5x has been completed with new fire-resistant compounds like 3RP571; and the XLPE/HFFR series 3RP9x is able to reach a LOI value higher than 55 per cent. These products will be soon developed in a new A version, which will reduce the sticking towards the insulation: therefore, it will be possible to increase the extrusion temperature up to 150°C, allowing a faster speed in the production of the cable. The Mixer bedding products are all based on the MDH technology, which can achieve unmatchable fire resistance and reduced flame propagation, compared to the traditional ATH-based bedding compounds. In addition to bedding, CPR has prompted the reconsideration of peroxide crosslinkable materials in cable construction, in view of their contribution to reach the highest performances in CPR rating. Thanks to the high crosslinking density achievable with this technology, the fire performances related to char formation and stability, dripping and flame propagation could be enhanced. Mixer SpA realised a survey on how to combine its traditional materials for single-core cable with a special masterbatch produced by Delta Tecnic, reaching the goal to match the market demands achieving G17, G18 and M18 standard requirements. CPR state-of-the-art in cable design fromMixer

Mixer SpA – Italy Website : www.mixercompounds.com

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September 2018