Cellular Fluorinated Propylene, expanded or "foam" FEP, consists of individual closed cells of inert gas suspended in a Fluorinated Ethylene/Propylene medium, resulting in a desirable reduction of the dielectric constant.
Cellular polyethylene, expanded or "foam" Polyethylene, consists of individual closed cells of inert gas suspended in a Polyethylene medium, resulting in a desirable reduction of the dielectric constant.
This material has excellent electrical properties, temperature range and chemical resistance. It is not suitable where subjected to nuclear radiation and does not have good high voltage characteristics. FEP Teflon® is extrudable in a manner similar to PVC and polyethylene. This means that long wire and cable lengths are available. TFE Teflon® is extrudable in a hydraulic ram type process. Lengths are limited due to amount, of material in the ram, thickness of the insulation, and preform size. TFE 9 must be extruded over a silver or nickel-coated wire. The nickel and silver-coated designs are rated 260.C and 200°C maximum, respectively. The cost of Teflon® is approximately 8 to 10 times more per pound than PVC compounds.
Thermoplastic fluoropolymer material with excellent chemical resistance, electrical properties, thermal characteristics, and impact resistance. The temperature rating is -70°C to 150°C.
A very good insulation in terms of electrical properties. Low dielectric constant, a stable dielectric constant over all frequencies, very high insulation resistance. In terms of flexibility, polyethylene con be rated stiff to very hard, depending on molecular weight and density: low density being the most flexible, and high density, high-molecular weight formulation being very hard. Polyethylene also has an excellent moisture resistance rating. Correct Brown and Black formulations have excellent weather resistance. The dielectric constant is 2.3 for solid insulation and 1.64 for foam designs. Flame retardant formulations are available with dielectric constants ranging from about 1.7 for foam flame retardant to 2.58 solid flame retardant polyethylene.
Polymer Alloy is a plenum grade chloride-based jacketing material with low smoke and low flame spread properties. Cables jacketed with Polymer Alloy meet the UL Standard 910, Plenum Cable Flame Test.
Similar in electrical properties to polyethylene, this material is primarily used as an insulation material. Typically, it is harder than polyethylene. This makes it suitable for thin wall insulations. UL maximum temperature rating may be 60°C maximum. The dielectric constant is 2.25 for solid and 1.55 for foam designs.
This material is used primarily as a cable jacket material. It has excellent oxidation, oil, and ozone resistance. Some formations also have good flame resistance. It is a sturdy compound with excellent properties, making it an ideal jacket material for retractile cords.
Sometimes referred to as vinyl or polyvinyl chloride. Extremely high or low temperature properties cannot be found in one formulation. Certain formulations may have -55°C to 105°C rating. Other common vinyls may have -20°C to 60°C. These are many formulations for the variety of different applications. The many varieties of PVC also differ in pliability and electrical properties. The price range can vary accordingly. Typical dielectric constant values can vary from 3.5 to 6.5. (FR-PVC - Fire Resistant Polyvinyl Chloride)
PVDF is a high-molecular-weight polymer of vinylidene fluoride with the predominant repeating unit -CH2-CF2-. It is a crystalline material with a melting point of 338°F and is a density of 1.78 g/cc. PVDF is sold in the U.S. by Atochem Inc. as Kynar.
Material Codes
Conductor and Shield Materials
Al/PET – Aluminum/Polyethylene-terephthalate |tape)
AWG – American Wire Guage
BC – Bare Copper
BCCS – Bare Copper Covered Steel
TC – Tinned Copper
SOL BC – Solid Bare Copper
SOL TC – Solid Tinned Copper
STR BC – Stranded Bare Copper
STR TC – Stranded Tinned Copper