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Insulation

The choice of low voltage insulation will depend on a number of factors, the voltage requirements; the temperature rating of the final cable, whether it is required to be ambient cured or needs to be fire retardant.

For standard cable insulation with 90^oC rating we recommend SX522A which is an ambient curable product with easy process characteristics. If a higher temperature rating is needed then SX546 should be the choice.

For flexible applications we have a polyethylene or an EPR solution in our SX552 and SX554 grades; the latter is also suitable for medium voltage applications.

Aerial or overhead power distribution cables require higher UV stability, SX490 and SX523 have carbon black added to meet this requirement. Both products are used on cable approved to many of the European standards such as the French Cable Torsade to NFC 33-209

CT06/30 is a new ambient cure halogen free flame retardant (HFFR) silane crosslinkable compound specifically aimed at the building wire insulation market, with excellent electrical and processing characteristics. This grade and SX545 are principally designed to meet the requirements of the BS7211 standard but equally can be utilized for other European cable constructions.

For higher temperature or fire performance applications SX538 and SX559, which are based on a different HFFR system, and are finding particular use for control and instrument cables.

Grades available

General purpose grades
Density (g/cm²)	Tensile strength (Mpa)	Elongation at break (%)	Volume resistivity (Ohm.cm)	Dielectric strength (kV/mm)	Power factor	Permittivity	Data sheet
SX408:CM401 Silane crosslinkable polyethylene (XLPE) for use up to 3kV
0.93	18	350	>1x10¹⁶	21	0.0004	2.2
SX490:CM401 UV and weather resistant silane crosslinkable PE for aerial or overhead cable
0.95	18	450	>1x10¹⁶	-	0.0017	3.47
SX523:CM493 UV and weather resistant silane crosslinkable PE for aerial or overhead cable
0.95	18	450	1.5x10¹⁶	-	0.0017	3.47
SX522A:CM401 Ambient cure silane crosslinkable polyethylene (XLPE) for low voltage
0.92	18	450	>1x10¹⁶	21	0.0003	2.0
SX546:CM497CD 125^oC rated silane crosslinkable polylethylene (XLPE)
0.92	24	500	>1x10¹⁶	21	0.0004	2.2
SX552:CM424 Flexible silane crosslinkable polyethylene (XLPE) for low voltage
0.88	9.5	600	4x10¹⁴	-	-	-
SX554:CM493 Flexible silane crosslinkable EPR for low voltage insulation
0.90	9	420	>1x10¹⁶	-	0.0016	2.3
SX558:CM401 Silane crosslinkable polylethylene (XLPE) insulation with improved cut through
0.93	19	450	>1x10¹⁶	21	0.0003	2.0

Halogen free flame retardant (HFFR) grades
Density (g/cm²)	Tensile strength (Mpa)	Elongation at break (%)	Pressure test @100^oC (%)	Temperature Index (^oC)	Oxygen Index (%)	Insulation Constant at 90^oC (MOhm.km)	Data sheet
CT06-30:CT06/81A HFFR silane crosslinkable easy process insulation for buidling and conduit wire
1.47	13	180	40	245	29	5
SX407:CM424 General purpose HFFR silane crosslinkable insulation wiith LOCA approval
1.37	10	150	15	280	29	-
SX545:CM540U HFFR silane crosslinkable insulation for building and conduit wiring
1.49	12	140	30	260	32	0.285
SX538:CM540U High fire performance HFFR insulation for building and equipment wiring
1.51	14	150	40	>300	36	0.5
SX559:CM540U High fire perfromance HFFR insulation for building and equipment wiring
1.49	14	165	40	>300	36	0.5

Please note that all of 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.