MATERIALS | WIRE & CABLE
colour references. Designed for use at low addition rate, these masterbatches provide high resistance to heat and light fading, as well as excellent opacity, and preservation of a high performing signal transmission, even at low wall thickness. Camillo Cardelli, Head of Research at Ipool, a
spin-off company of Pisa CNR’s Istituto per I Processi Chimico Fisici in Italy, said: “The cable industry is one of the most innovative and competi- tive on a global scale, especially in relation to polymeric compounds. The most difficult challeng- es for halogen-free flame-retardant compounds are being able to produce cables to reach class B2ca d0 rating in EN 50399 fire test (as per CPR), with proven mechanical resistance to extreme tempera- tures, and the ability to reach a high speed of extrusion without causing high motor loading, a shark skin surface, porosity, or die droll. The cable must also be able to maintain its electrical proper- ties in humid conditions and be resistant to oils and other aggressive chemicals, all while maintaining long term resistance at high temperatures and under oxidative and UV exposure.” This is no easy task, and Ipool says that in recent years it has helped many companies improve performance with a combination of traditional malleated LLDPE and Silma- link AR1028 silane coupling agent provided by Silma Masterbatches. This technol- ogy brings several benefits including increased production speed, improvement of electrical and mechanical properties after prolonged immersion in hot water, a reduction of the die droll, and improved crack resistance. This is considered a crucial
Above: Lubrizol Engineered Polymers has expanded its Estane TPU product family
property to HFFR compounds used for sheathing armoured cables installed in hot conditions. By moving from 0.6% dosage to 1.2% dosage, Silmalink AR1028 transforms its core function from coupling agent to crosslinking agent, moving from thermoplastic HFFR to silane cross linkable XL-HFFR when used in combination with ambient curing catalyst AL2691 (or AL3025 in case of solar applications). XL-HFFR are specialty compounds used in building wires, automotive, and solar/ photovoltaic applications. Late last year,Avient announced the addition of
a new grade to its ECCOH Low Smoke and Fume Non-Halogen Formulations portfolio. The new ECCOH 5983 Formulation has been developed to help prevent environmental stress cracking in low
54 COMPOUNDING WORLD | May 2024
and medium-voltage armoured power cables, protecting power supply and avoiding costly damage. Cracking can occur when cables are installed under a high tensile stress, such as when bent around a radius or installed underground. Metal armouring is used as a preventative measure, but as environmental temperatures fluctuate the armouring and other materials expand and contract at different ratios. Cracks in the cable jacket can lead to damage to the insulation and conductors, which may result in short circuits and interrupted power supply. The new formulation can help prevent stress cracking by offering high tear strength and elonga- tion at break over a temperature range of -25°C to 90°C. It surpasses all specifications associated with the BS 7655-6.1:1997 standard, including the most stringent LTS 1 classification, even for complex designs and armoured cables. “The new ECCOH 5983 formulation was devel-
oped in response to the global cable market looking for a material for armoured cables that could withstand extensive temperature fluctuations without cracking,” said Matt Mitchell, Director, Global Marketing, Specialty Engineered Materials at Avient. Lubrizol Engineered Polymers uses a plasticis-
er-free technology that allows compounds to meet and even exceed expectations tied to industry standards and has developed a special portfolio for electric vehicle charging system cables. The new Estane TPU offering consists of three new grades: Estane EV 90AT2 NAT 02, EV 89AT9 NAT 04, and EV 85AT8 NAT 01. As the EV charging cable market grows, Lubrizol’s Estane EV solutions are also expanding with Estane EV 89AT9 NAT 04 TPU which is compliant with global IEC 62893 and EN 50620 specifications.
Stricter regulations Based on flame retardant properties without the use of halogens, the range continues to expand with the Estane ZHF TPU product series aimed at the general wire and cable market with Estane ZHF 93AM9 TPU NAT 02 being the latest addition. It achieves a UL temperature rating of 105°C, has high mechanicals and tear, and exhibits excellent processability and surface aesthetics. It can also pass the stringent UL1581 FT-1, VW-1, and UL 1061 cable-flame tests on medium-to-large diameter cables in drag chain, sensor, data cables, and others, and is UL-94 V0 rated and suitable for UL applications. Lubrizol said it will continue to develop solutions catering to demanding regula- tory standards as stricter safety regulations come into force and will focus research efforts on devel- oping advanced flame-retardant cable polymers
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