EOW May 2007

compounds & coatings (for wire, cables & fibre optics)

l Compounds and colourants for fluoropolymer coated wires and cables Fluoropolymers are used in wire insulation and jacketing applications where at least two or three of the following properties are required: high temperature stability, chemical resistance, electrical properties at thin gauges, non flammable, UV inert and low adhesion.

Colorant Chromatics, Switzerland, has developed an extensive range of heavy metal-free colour concentrates for FEP, ETFE, E-CTFE, MFA, PFA and PVDF. Different concentrations are available to accommodate processing equipment and obtain optimal incorporation of the pigments in the polymer matrix. High strength PVDF colour concentrates are also available for the colouration of highly filled flame retardant PVDF jacketing compounds. The company’s product range also includes: Additive concentrates such as nucleating agents to foam FEP on- line in applications such as coaxial cables and plenum wire • Irradiation cross linkable X-ETFE compounds to improve the mechanical properties of ETFE and conductive or semi-conductive ETFE, MFA or PVDF compounds for heat trace cables • Production trial to evaluate flame-retardant compound • •

Switzerland’s Colorant Chromatics manufactures a range of heavy metal-free colour concentrates ▲

Printing, striping, or ring marking inks with specially developed heavy metal free pigments, including new offerings featuring reduced PFOA dispersions metal- free pigment dispersions for the coloration of PTFE fine powders Naphtha-based, heavy

Colorant Chromatics operates three plants in Finland, the USA and China, and serves the wire and cable industry worldwide. Colorant Chromatics AG – Switzerland Fax : +41 41 741 0102 Email : info@colorant-chromatics.com Website : www.colorant-chromatics.com

A production trial using FRNC/LS0H (flame-retardant no corrosive/low smoke zero halogens) compound from Fainplast Srl, Italy, has been conducted on a cable extruder manufactured by Samp Sistemi Spa, to assess its processability at a production line speed of 1,000m/min. The compound tested was HF 045/11, which is a thermoplastic material, formulated on a polyolefinic basis. It can be used for the production of energy, signal and control cables, in both insulation and sheathing applications. Its properties comply with the requirements of CEI 20-11 M1, VDE 0207 Part 24 type HM4, and BS 7655 type LTS2. The company reported that the production trial ran well, and that a smooth cable surface was obtained without spark faults being detected. The extruder temperatures appeared to remain constant throughout the production evaluation, with a head melt temperature reading of 169°C. The measured test parameters, such as motor absorption and head melt pressure (55% and 312 bar respectively), suggested that higher production speeds are possible with the HF 045/11 flame-retardant and halogen free compound. Fainplast Srl – Italy Fax : +39 0736 403 807 Email : info@fainplast.com Website : www.fainplast.com

Here’s your chance to increase the amount of media coverage your company gets – for FREE! In the July edition of EuroWire we are producing three features: wire drawing machinery testing and measuring technology and equipment automated wire production (wea- ving, knitting and braiding). If your company is involved in any of these fields, why not take advantage of our FREE editorial offer. Simply send your 250 words, in English, and any pictures to editor@intras.co.uk to be considered for publication. With a worldwide readership of more than 16,000, you can be part of the wire and cable industry’s most important source of information. • • •

125

EuroWire – May 2007