WCA July 2010

machinery & materials

Wire and cable

New TPEs A new series of Elexar ® thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds for wire and cable, from the Thermoplastic Elastomer Division of Teknor Apex Company, provides a combination of RoHS compliance, UL-V0 flame retardance, and excellent performance over a wide range of end use conditions. The Elexar high-performance FR series includes six grades, with Shore A hardness ranging from 58 to 85, upper use temperature from 105ºC to 125ºC, low-temperature flexibility down to -50°C, excellent UV resistance, and good oil resistance. For applications where appearance is critical, the compounds provide excellent colourability and non-blooming surfaces, according to Keith Saunders, market manager. “Elexar HPFR compounds embody a hard-to-find combination of outstanding end-use performance and compliance with the stringent standards required in the global marketplace,” said Dr Saunders. “Conventional flame retar- dant TPEs not only fail to comply with the RoHS directives but are more limited in terms of flame test ratings and service temperatures. In addition, their flame retardant formulations often present the problem of blooming or surface staining.” Teknor Apex suggests evaluating Elexar High-Performance FR compounds for use in insulation and jacketing for automation and control cables, fibre optic cables, low-voltage power cables, appliance wire, and flexible cord. The new Elexar compounds meet standards specified under UL 1061 and unlike conventional TPEs, pass the UL VW-1 vertical flame test for cable jacketing.

compounds Commercial Polymers, Malaysia, has been supplying the Copo-link moisture cross-linkable silane grafted poly- ethylene with a 5% catalyst master- batch and Copo-lene PE black jacketing compound since the year 1997. Copo-link CXL7799NT/CXL8899MB (XLDPE) and Copo-link CXL2323NT/ CXL8899MB (XLLDPE) are designed for use as an insulation layer on copper or aluminium conductors in low voltage power cable applications. (LLDPE), LD0019BK (LDPE), MD0020BK (MDPE) and HD0022BK (HDPE) are black polyethylene jacketing compounds designed for power and telecommuni- cation cables that demand high resistance to weathering. Commercial Polymers Sdn Bhd – Malaysia Fax : +603 907 6302 Email : cpsb97@gmail.com Copo-lene LL0018BK

Teknor Apex Company – USA Fax : +1 401 728 5680 Email : tpe@teknorapex.com Website : www.teknorapex.com

Composite glass Roblon’s composite glass is a hotmelt-coated glass strength member, suitable for reinforcement of buried cables and short span aerial cables. Roblon offers a range of specialised hotmelt formulations. One example is an extra adhesive version that transmits the force of the strength members to the jacketing material, making it ideal for short span aerial cables. Roblon has also developed an anti-rodent version of the composite glass that is particularly suitable for direct buried cables or cables placed in extreme environments such as sewer systems. The hotmelt-coating can be reactivated during the extrusion process, which can make the individual yarns bond together, thus forming a ‘tube’ that completely surrounds and protects the cable centre. When applied this way the composite glass also protects the cable centre against water penetration. Roblon composite glass is a fully impregnated and extremely tough yarn, making it applicable in any production process. It can be stranded around the cable centre or applied longitudinally.

Roblon A/S – Denmark Fax : +45 9620 3399 Email : info@roblon.com Website : www.roblon.com

Roblon’s composite glass ❍ ❍

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Wire & Cable ASIA – July/August 2010