EuroWire September 2021

Focus On UK

High-performance cable materials

Hexpol TPE is an international polymer compounding group specialising in thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) for key industries such as consumer, medical, automotive, electrical and construction. To support increasing demands on power and telecommunications infrastructure, Hexpol TPE has developed materials for cable sheathing, bedding and insulation applications. The LSZH materials are designed to meet the highest levels of durability, performance and human safety. The range, developed at Hexpol TPE’s UK site in Manchester, is marketed under the brand Dryflex® Cable and incorporates materials based on different polymer chemistries, including EVA, TPE and TPV technologies. This allows a wide range of material properties and customisation possibilities, and gives cable manufacturers the flexibility to select the best solution for their application. The Dryflex Cable range includes low- smoke halogen-free (LSHF) or low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) flame-retardant compounds. They are designed to offer enhanced flame-retardant properties with low smoke and low toxicity. The British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC), headquartered in Milton Keynes, is focused on improving cable quality across a variety of markets. It provides testing and certifications services com- bined with dedicated regional customer support teams. Cable safety is a key priority where power is concerned, to protect both people and end applications from harm. Gaining product certification involves thorough checks to warrant that any claims of conformity made by a cable manufacturer are valid. BASEC has expanded and tailored its certification services to include a variety of major sectors, in a drive to improve the levels of safety and quality specifically to cables. Reliable cables will play an important role in providing power to support future infrastructures, safeguarding the end applications. As part of gaining certification, BASEC verifies cable properties such as mechanical, electrical, chemical and fire performance via com-

The compounds are RoHS, SVHC and REACH compliant and halogen-free according to IEC 60754 Part 1/2. Mark Clayton, managing director for Hexpol TPE Ltd, commented, “The challenge we set ourselves is to develop materials that exceed global standards for reliability and durability, combined with the lowest toxicity and smoke levels for human safety. We believe Dryflex Cable materials offer market- leading performance with high levels of customisation and easy processing.” Dryflex Cable materials can be processed using standard polymer extrusion equip- ment, with no post vulcanisation required, helping to minimise steps and improve productivity. They are recyclable in closed- loop systems, and production waste can be reprocessed. The materials provide added security in areas of high human occupancy, where people need to be evacuated quickly and safely. They can also be used in restricted areas containing expensive or sensitive equipment, such as high-rise buildings, hospitals, airports, train and transport hubs, communication exchanges, data

▲ Hexpol TPE specialises in thermoplastic elastomers

centres, shopping centres, power genera- tion facilities and offshore platforms.

Dryflex Cable materials’ thermomechani- cal properties make them suitable for both telecommunication and electric cables. Applications include low voltage, data, insulation, jacketing and bedding. Hexpol TPE www.hexpoltpe.com Growth drives higher levels of cable quality

experience, experts in the field of data communications have been recruited to manage and run the new specialist laboratory facilities. BASEC also provides certifications relating to specific product types, such as control cables. To address industry concerns around inconsistent levels of quality and performance within these products, control cable certification provides a benchmark to help those specifying and sourcing control cables to ensure consistency in the market. To enhance surveillance in the market, BASEC works with stockists, distributors and wholesalers to award Registered Stockist status. The programme is focused on driving improved cable quality and safety throughout the entire supply chain. Stockists are audited to thoroughly review compliance practices, and samples of both approved and non-approved cables are selected for testing. BASEC www.basec.org.uk

plete cable assessments to ensure the requirements set in the British, European or international standards are met. Investment has been made to extend testing capabilities to include services for the data communications market. With 50 years of cable testing experience, BASEC provides expertise and applies it to support cable quality in growing sectors. Building on the technical team, which has years of combined cable-specific ▲ BASEC verifies cable properties via complete cable assessments

53

www.read-eurowire.com

September 2021