WCA November 2023

Technology News

UV curing of HFFR blends Mixer SpA is an Italian rubber manu- facturer that creates compounds for cable producers. The company’s research activity is focused on processing, properties and structure of rubber-based compounds, with the aim of improving the cable industry by proposing innovative and effective solutions.

LED – a more sustainable alternative to conventional mercury lamps. These results will lead to further investigation and study focused on the photoinitiators, coagents and exposure time to achieve the best properties of a highly charged HFFR compound obtained with a UV curing method. Mixer SpA www.mixercompounds.com

In an example of two different cured samples (XI1321 – X1 and X2) that were composed of copolymer blend (EKOPREN® XI1321) mixed with different photoinitiators and coagents, both samples displayed excellent performance during the hot set tests (HST) and the tensile strength (TS) and elongation (EB) tests. The photocrosslinking was obtained upon irradiation with a near-UV emitting

The company recently conducted a study with the Giacomo Ciamician Depart- ment of Chemistry, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, focused on UV crosslinking in low voltage cables: “Photocrosslinking of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)–polyethylene-octene (POE) copolymer containing halogen-free flame retardants, Morselli, G., Villa, M., Ceroni, P., Medici, L., Tarlazzi, F., Dossi, S., Matteucci, P., Galanti, A., Magrì, A., Polym. Eng. Sci. 2023, 63(6), 1761”. In the research, the team explored a technology to cure HFFR blends based on UV light. The use of light to achieve crosslinked polymers identifies a promising strategy to develop smart manufacturing technologies. The photocrosslinking method represents a customised and efficient approach from an industrial point of view, since it can be obtained using mild operative conditions and a low energy supply compared to thermal methods. In this scenario, most of the photo-cured polymers have been designed to achieve mechanical and thermal properties involving the use of additives to fulfil the requirements. The additives need to be implemented in the form of powders, which likely cause the scattering of UV photons, hindering deep penetration of the light inside the polymeric matrix and thus the reticulation. Using Mixer’s knowledge and the expertise of the university team of Prof Ceroni, the researchers explored the UV curing of a copolymer blend (made of EVA and POE) with a high percentage of HFFR fillers (powdered additives) – useful as insulating coverage for cables to be used in buildings. The UV curing was carried out by adding commercially available photoinitiators and reticulation coagents to the poly- meric blend in different combinations. By varying the UV irradiation exposure time, investigation of the mechanical and thermal properties was carried out. This successfully demonstrated the possibility to obtain a high cross linked content of EKOPREN® compound with UV light, even in the presence of a high concentration of minerals and antioxidant agents.

CABLERS FOR SALE

KALMARK INTEGRATED SYSTEMS 12+18 400mm Planetary Cabler Line, 2020

To include: • Payoff (customer provided)

• 12-Bay and 18-Bay 400mm Planetary Cablers, Models PL-12x400, PL-18x400; plus, MARATHON ‘Black Max’ 30HP Motors, Controls, Closing Die Stands, Guarding w/Safety Interlocks; L-R line direction • Concentric Taping Head, 600mm x 50mm, Model CTH-600, MARATHON ‘Black Max’ 10HP Motor • Linear Belt Caterpuller Capstan, 1200mm, Model LBC-1200, MARATHON ‘Black Max’ 10HP Motor • Electrical Control System and Operators Control Station, Model ESC-PL-12+18x400, fully integrated with PLC and NIDEC Digital AC Motor Controllers • Take-up (customer provided)

Specs: • Cable Diameter Range: 10 – 40mm • Insulated Cores Diameter: 1.0 – 10.0mm • Tubes or Cables: 5.0 – 10.0mm • Linear Speed: 60m/min • Reel Diameter: 400mm (DIN 46397) • Lay Length: 25mm – 500mm (infinitely adjustable) • Cable Passage: 50mm • Line Centre Height: 1000mm

Still installed, scheduled for 3 rd quarter availability

QING-FENG Planetary Cabler Line, 2017, never used

To include: • 12-Wire (6+6) 12" Planetary Cabler, 7.5kW Motor on the rear 6-Head Section, 15kW Motor on the front 6-Head Section – Line Shaft Driven • Concentric Tape Head • BETA AccuScan 4012 Single Axis Diameter Gauge, Model AS4012R • 26" Dual Wheel Capstan • 24" Take-up • PLUS: All Drives, Controls, Transformers, etc.

Offered through: COMMISSION BROKERS, INC. PO Box 8456, Cranston, RI 02920, USA PH: 401-943-3777 Fax: 401-943-3670 Contact: Martin Kenner mkenner@commissionbrokers.com www.commissionbrokers.com

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November 2023