Heat resistant Cables and Wires

Questions & Answers

• What is a halogen-free cable?

  A halogen-free cable is normally defined as a power cable that does not contain PVC plastics. Standard halogen-free cables offer a high degree of safety for people, nature, buildings and machinery, but have a major drawback – they are often too inflexible to compete with PVC in all applications. This is not the case with SABIX®. Halogen-free cables with SABIX® material have significant technical advantages over PVC.

   

• What is Besilen®?

  Besilen® – Elastomer on silicone base
  Besilen® is a registered trademark of SAB Bröckskes GmbH & Co KG. It is a specially developed silicone rubber-based material with good electrical properties and heat resistance. In addition to our standard Besilen® range, we also manufacture specialty products that meet requirements such as:

  Types of silicone cables:

  – notch resistance for better mechanical strength
  – higher temperature resistance + 250 °C
  – Besilen® – mixture compatible for the food industry
  – conductive Besilen® for antistatic conductance

• What is ETFE?

  ETFE – Ethylenetetrafluoroethylene
  ETFE has excellent mechanical properties, an elevated hardness and tensile strength combined with the chemical resistance and electrical and thermal properties of other fluoroplastics with particularly high requirements such as on:

  – high chemical and solvent resistance
  – cold and heat resistance increased tensile and compressive strengths
  – good electrical and insulation properties with low dielectric values almost independent of frequency
  – operating temperature from approx. -90°C up to +135°C

  Exemplary applications for ETFE cables
  ETFE: For high frequency, broadband and telecommunication technologies, coaxial and microwave technologies. High data rate along with precise information transfer, chemical industry, kiln construction, brickworks, heating devices, …

• What is the FEP?

  FEP – Fluoroethylene propylene
  This material belongs to the meltable fluoroplastics and can be extruded. It has a higher coefficient of friction and a lower permanent operating temperature than PTFE. The FEP offers the following features:

  – excellent temperature resistance
  – deep temperature flexibility
  – very good resistance to oils and chemicals
  – good electrical insulation properties with almost frequency-independent dielectric properties
  – operating temperature from approx. -90°C up to +180°C

  Exemplary applications of FEP cables
  FEP: for shipbuilding e.g. in the engine room of ships or as a connecting cable for engine control, high-frequency and broadband technology as well as telecommunication technology, coaxial and microwave technology. High data rate along with precise information transfer, chemical industry, furnace construction, brickworks, heating devices, …

• What is PFA?

  PFA – Perfluoroalkoxy
  This fluoroplastic material has good chemical resistance, a wide application temperature range and very good resistance to aging and weathering. In addition, it shows a low frictional resistance and a good electrical insulation with particularly high requirements such as for example:

  – high demands on chemical and solvent resistance
  – high degree of resistance
  – excellent temperature resistance and deep temperature flexibility
  – good electrical insulation properties with low almost frequency-independent dielectric properties
  – operating temperature from approx. -90°C up to +250°C (short-term +260°C)

  Examples of applications for PFA cables:
  PFA: high frequency, broadband and telecommunication technologies, coaxial and microwave technologies. High data rate along with precise information transfer, chemical industry, kiln construction, brickworks, heating devices, …

• What are PUR cables and what are their advantages?

  Polyurethane (PUR) – Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)
  PUR stands for ‘polyurethane’. The insulation and sheathing material “PUR” is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and has become increasingly important in the cable industry due to its special properties and advantages.

  This material exhibits mechanical properties similar to rubber at certain temperatures. The combination of thermoplastic and elastic properties has led to the description TPE thermoplastic elastomer. Here at SAB Bröckskes GmbH & Co KG we use PUR on a polyether base as a sheathing material. In addition to standard polyurethane, thanks to continuous development between SAB Bröckskes and the plastics industry, the following types of PUR are also available:

  PUR types from SAB Bröckskes:

  – PUR semi-mat (low adhesion)
  – PUR mat (raw surface, low adhesion)
  – PUR flame retardant
  – PUR halogen-free and flame retardant

  Mechanical properties of PUR cables
  The insulation material of the cables is usually not subject to high mechanical stresses. Slides, on the other hand, are widely used. This is especially true for flexible control and connection cables that are often routed over sharp corners and rough surfaces. This can lead to cuts that are accentuated when the cable is stretched during flexible use. Compressive stresses caused by crushing and impacts from tools and machinery may also occur.

• What are PVC cables?

  Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – thermoplastic material
  PVC stands for ‘polyvinyl chloride‘. The applications of this thermoplastic in the plastics industry are diverse. There are different types of PVC used in the wire and cable industry. National (VDE) and international (IEC) standardization authorities have specified PVC parameters for the various PVC compounds.

  The properties of standardized PVC compounds for the cable industry are defined under the following VDE standards, for example:

  PVC – insulation mixture EN 50363-3, VDE 0207-363-3
  PVC – jacket mixture EN 503-163-4, VDE 0207-363-4-1

  PVC that hardens after polymerization is not suitable for insulating and protecting wires and cables. The necessary mechanical, thermal and electrical levels can only be achieved with the addition of complements such as:

  – plasticizers
  – stabilizers
  – filler material
  – abrasive additives