1. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

PVC is a common plastic material that is widely used in cable insulation and jacketing.

It has good mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and flame retardancy.

The normal temperature range for PVC is -15℃ to 70℃.

Modified PVC with improved flexibility and temperature resistance is available.

PVC is inherently flame retardant, but it can still decompose and release toxic fumes when burned.

2. Polyethylene (PE) and its Copolymers

PE, PP, and PO are polyolefin materials that are composed of carbon and hydrogen.

They are not flame retardant in their original state.

PE has good electrical insulation properties, low-temperature resistance, and chemical stability.

Its working temperature is around 70℃.

Cross-linked PE can be used for higher-temperature applications.

PE is widely used in power cables (YJ series) and communication cables.

PP has similar properties to PE but can be used at higher temperatures (up to 100℃).

Polyolefins are a broad category of materials with different properties depending on the monomer composition.

They are typically used in cables that require high flexibility and low weight.

Cross-linked polyolefins can be used for higher-temperature applications.

Polyolefins are halogen-free and are widely used in marine, railway, and new energy vehicles.

3. Fluoroplastics

Fluoroplastics offer superior performance in terms of temperature resistance, chemical resistance, and electrical insulation.

They are commonly used in high-temperature and harsh environment applications.

The main types of fluoroplastics used in cables are PTFE, FEP, PFA, and ETFE.

Fluoroplastics are expensive, with prices ranging from 70-80元/kg to 1000+元/kg.

They can release toxic gases when burned.

a. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

PTFE is a high-performance fluoroplastic with excellent properties.

It is difficult to process and is available in two forms: suspension and dispersion.

Suspension PTFE is used for high-temperature wire insulation (AFR-250 series).

Dispersion PTFE is used for aerospace wires (FF4-2 series) and coaxial cables (SFF series).

It can also be used for cable jacketing and insulation.

b. FEP and PFA

FEP and PFA are similar in many ways, but PFA has a higher temperature rating (260℃ vs. 200℃).

PFA is recommended for cable jacketing in GJB 773B-2015, while FEP is recommended for both insulation and jacketing.

PFA is more expensive than FEP but has better performance.

It is used in some medical applications, such as ultra-thin coaxial cable insulation.

c. ETFE

ETFE has a lower temperature rating (150℃) than other fluoroplastics.

It has a lower density than other fluoroplastics, making it useful for weight reduction in aerospace applications.

Cross-linked ETFE (XETFE) is used in 55A series cables for aerospace applications.

XETFE has excellent properties such as small size, lightweight, high flame retardancy, high strength, solvent resistance, high temperature resistance, and radiation resistance.

Conclusion

The choice of cable material depends on the specific application requirements. PVC is a cost-effective option for general-purpose applications. PE and PP are good choices for low-temperature applications. Fluoroplastics are the best choice for high-temperature and harsh environment applications.

Additional Information

The article provides a good overview of the common cable materials, but it is important to consult the relevant standards and specifications for specific applications.

The prices of cable materials can vary depending on the supplier and market conditions.

It is important to be aware of the safety risks associated with the use of cable materials, such as the potential release of toxic fumes when burned.