Automotive
The vast majority of automotive cables are produced using PVC due to its low cost coupled with excellent mechanical properties and inherent fire retardance. There is, however, a general interest in moving away from this to other polymers where the fire performance is achieved either by the use of halogen free or low level halogenated (typically <12% bromine) fire retardant systems. This is driven by environmental concerns; mainly the desire to remove PVC from scrapped vehicles.
Our main interest is in replacing the higher temperature wires used in cars; those that are found in the engine compartment. We have focused on developing compounds for 125oC rated wires to meet T3 in the LV112 or Class C in the ISO 6722 standards and have been investigating three solutions to this requirement; silane crosslinkable, electron beam radiation curable and thermoplastic compounds.
We currently have three commercial compounds available; low halogen and HFFR silane crosslinkable together with a thermoplastic compound. Developments are progressing well with compounds for electron beam curing and we have some grades ready for testing although these are yet to be fully commercialized.
Grades Available
|
Density |
Tensile |
Elongation |
Scrape abrasion |
Limiting oxygen |
Temperature |
Data |
| SX547:CM401 Silane crosslinkable low halogen for 125oC rated automotive wiring | ||||||
|
1.1 |
21 |
400 |
>300 |
23 |
- |
|
|
SX549:CM401 Silane crosslinkable HFFR for 125oC rated automotive wiring |
||||||
|
1.36 |
25 |
300 |
>300 |
25 |
- |
|
|
TP560 Thermoplastic HFFR for 125oC rated automotive wiring |
||||||
|
1.36 |
18 |
400 |
>300 |
25 |
200 |
|
Please note that the silane crosslinkable grades are shown as a system with a graft and a catalyst. These are normally used in the ratio of 95:5. The most common catalyst masterbatch is shown in the table but there are others available which helps us to more accurately match your property requirements and processing conditions.
