TECHNOLOGY | WIRE AND CABLE
Right: Melos has
developed new halogen-free compounds for optical fibre applications
pounds, the finished cable is capable of passing CSA FT4 and UL 1685 flame tests. Additionally, Pexidan HF S/C-UV can pass UL cold impact at -40°C, is rated Oil Res I & II, and is certified halogen free by UL to UL 2885. The Geon Plenstar series of fire-resistant, plenum cable jacketing compounds from PolyOne includes five grades of cable jacketing materials. The company says all meet UL approvals for plenum applications and offer physical properties required for telecommunications cables. Address- able applications for the Plenstar series are Cat 3 to Cat 6 multi-conductor cables with a 75°C UL temperature rating and passing UL 444. Customisa- tion is possible for modified performance enhance- ments and custom colours can be developed. The company also offers a range high-perfor- mance and flame-resistant polymers, colorants and additives for wire and cable applications. The portfolio includes ECCOH non-halogenated formulations offering flame retardance with low toxicity and smoke density, as well as the Colorant Chromatics cross-linkable formulations formulated for high temperature resistance and good cut- through resistance, abrasion performance and mechanical toughness. The Colorant Chromatics line also includes chemical and physical foaming additives to enhance electrical properties, reduce cable weight and improve cost effectiveness. Other PolyOne offerings for the cable industry include the OnCap anti-rodent and anti-termite masterbatches and OnCap nucleating foaming agent, which is used in manufacture of coaxial PE cables via gas injection foaming. Custom solutions are a hallmark of the PolyOne
offering, with a recent collaboration with a Chinese manufacturer of data cables one example. The company was having difficulty finding a supplier of fluoropolymer colour and additive masterbatches
48 COMPOUNDING WORLD | May 2019
that met its quality requirements and was reporting higher scrap rates from its cable lines, leading to delayed deliveries. In addition to higher quality, it also needed a supplier that could certify the materials met RoHS REACH requirements so it could market its products to international customers. PolyOne developed a Colorant Chromatics masterbatch that easily integrated into the cable company’s production lines. Based on the manu- facturer’s rolling forecast, it provided local stock to keep delivery times to the minimum. Lead times for meeting customer orders shrank from four weeks to one. According to PolyOne, the transition to Colorant Chromatics fluoropolymer colour concen- trates helped reduce the cable maker’s scrap rate from 10% to less than 5%. Production efficiency increased by 20%.
Fibre optic options
German cable compound specialist Melos has developed a number of grades for sheathing fibre optic cable constructions. Mecoline S TP 1005 F is said to offer a reliable halogen-free, fire-retardant alternative to PBT in ‘loose tube’ applications due to its low shrinkage properties, high melt strength and relative stiffness (E-modulus). Other fire-retard- ant sheathing options, such as Mecoline S TP 1006 F (aluminium hydroxide-based) and Mecoline IS TP 1033 F (magnesium hydroxide-based) can also be considered, the company says. Both are easy processible compounds demonstrating low shrinkage. All sheathing compounds can also be supplied with an additional UV package to with- stand 720 hours of UV weathering resistance in compliance with ISO 4892-2. In critical applications, a bedding compound
can improve the flame retardant properties of fibre optic cables. Melos says that its bedding com- pound FM 0474/5 (LOI 63) can provide a cost-
www.compoundingworld.com
PHOTO: MELOS
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