Jacket materials of cables

The outer jacket of a cable offers protection against various adversities, such as mechanical load, temperature or chemical substances with which the cable comes into contact. For chainflex® cable, igus® offers the jacket materials PVC, PUR and TPE. Here, igus® ensures that the material mixtures of the sheathing materials are adapted to the requirements, are low-adhesion and highly abrasion-resistant. Depending on the application and external conditions, different jacket materials can be selected.

For example, the jacket made of PVC is the most economical jacket material, which is designed for low to medium loads and is ideal for ambient temperatures from +5°C to +70°C due to its properties. Like all jacket materials from igus®, PVC is a particularly abrasion-resistant material mixture for use in the energy chain. PUR is also notch-resistant and offers high oil resistance, which is ideal for use in machine tools. It also has an extended temperature range of -25°C to +80°C and high UV resistance. The material TPE, on the other hand, achieves the highest UV resistance and resistance to oil and bio-oil. The temperature range extends from -35°C to 100°C.

PVC or polyvinyl chloride is a very versatile thermoplastic and is often used on conveyor and assembly belts, but also in packaging and lighting technology due to its chemical structure and low flammability. PVC Cables are popular due to their high strength and good insulating properties, even with thin insulation. PVC is resistant to permanent moisture and salt water. However, in the event of a fire in a PVC cable, the addition of e.g. chlorine to the sheath material releases halogens that can pose a risk to people.

In the low-voltage range (up to 1,000V), PVC is also known as the material with the best price-performance ratio. igus® offers PVCcables in non-oil-resistant and oil-resistant compounds.

PUR or polyurethane, on the other hand, is a halogen-free and self-extinguishing thermoplastic elastomer and has become increasingly important among cables in recent years. Up to a certain temperature, PUR is very similar to rubber, which makes PUR very interesting for cables and wires, as this behaviour makes it particularly resistant to alternating bending. Added to this are the specifications of a strong sheath material such as notch resistance, low abrasion values and flexibility at low temperatures. In addition, PUR has significantly better chemical compatibility compared to other materials. PUR cables from igus® are resistant to oil and coolants and, due to their composition, do not contain any toxic halogens that could be dangerous in the event of a fire. Cables made from PUR are therefore a popular material for machine tools, plant construction, cement works, the paint industry and the automotive industry.

TPE stands for thermoplastic elastomers and is the generic term for numerous subcategories. TPE-U materials are predominantly used for flexible cables, as they can withstand mechanical loads very well and are highly resistant to external influences such as chemicals or temperatures. TPE is generally suitable for a temperature range from -35°C to +100°C. TPE is also halogen-free. By adding halogens, TPE can also be produced as a flame-retardant material and is therefore UL 94-HB compliant. They are also frequently used in energy chains, particularly in harsh environmental conditions or for permanent movements. TPE cables are a popular material that is often used in crane applications, conveyor technology or applications with low temperatures.

The chainflex® cable solutions and their areas of application are as varied and unique as the requirements and applications.

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