WCA July 2010

machinery & materials

Advances in greener insulation Dow Wire & Cable has announced a step in sustainable chemistry by launching Dow Ecolibrium™ bio-based plasticisers, a new family of phthalate-free plasticisers for use in wire insulation and jacketing, made from nearly 100% renewable feedstocks. The use of Dow Ecolibrium plasticisers in PVC compounds for wire applications can help cable-makers and original equipment manufacturers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40% if used instead of traditional PVC plasticisers. The new plasticisers were developed to meet growing demand for more sustainable options in wiring applications such as personal electronics and appliance wiring, residential and commercial building wiring, communications and data cabling, and automotive wiring. “We are very excited about the commercial launch of Dow Ecolibrium bio-based plasticizers and our ability to help cable-makers use sustainable technology to differentiate their offerings in key industries,” said Jonathan Penrice, global marketing director for Dow Wire & Cable. “Our excitement stems from the use of nearly 100% renewable feedstock in the chemistry of these products and from the outcome of field trials conducted with a select group of customers. The field trials demonstrated that the new plasticizers exhibit the same performance and feel as incumbent PVC plasticizers while meeting all regulatory requirements for flame resistance.” Penrice added: “Dow Ecolibrium plasticizers are truly a breakthrough for the wire and cable industry but their introduction here is just the tip of the iceberg – in time they will also open up differentiation opportunities for OEMs in other industries that use PVC compounds.” Dow Wire & Cable will license select cable makers to commercialise Dow Ecolibrium plasticisers consistent with its Dow Inside programme. Cable manufacturers in the Dow Inside programme are supported by Dow Wire & Cable’s forward-thinking technology, versatile products and enhanced services, backed by the strength of a creative and responsive supplier that can help offer a competitive edge in a demanding industry. Dow Ecolibrium also offers specific benefits in terms of processing, electrical and temperature performance, and end-use for low and high temperature wiring applications in several key wire and cable market segments: Wires jacketed with material that includes Dow Ecolibrium can achieve an improved balance of flame retardance, • flexibility and heat performance. In wiring for personal electronics the use of Dow Ecolibrium can deliver on global OEM requirements for heat deformation resistance, flexibility and electrical performance Dow Ecolibrium plasticisers are phthalate-and lead-free, offering safe building wire options for end-users. The new • products are also effective in data communications delivery applications Wires jacketed with Dow Ecolibrium and used for the transmission of power and data inside passenger and commercial • vehicles can provide an environment-friendly solution that exhibits requirements for heat resistance and ease of installation

Dow Wire & Cable – Switzerland

Website : www.dowwireandcable.com

Crosslinking polymers for insulation Ionizing energy, as provided by an accelerated electron beam (EB), is an efficient means of crosslinking polymers used for wire and cable jacketing. In this process, chemical bonds are formed between polymer molecules chains to produce

a three-dimensional insoluble network. This can be done without heat. In most instances, ionization causes the abstraction of an atom of hydrogen from a polymer to produce active sites along a polymer chain that can bind to similar sites on adjacent chains without the use of crosslinking agents. IBA recently developed a new solution for electron beam cross- linking, called Easy-e-Beam™. Easy-e-Beam is based on the Dynamitron ® accelerator. The solution is self-shielded, allowing easy installation into an existing facility. Easy-e-Beam integrates the E-beam accelerator and the wire handling system, both managed by a single PLC-based control system.

IBA’s Easy-e-Beam, integrated crosslinking solution ❍ ❍

Wires and cables wound on reels are fed into the Easy-e-Beam and, after electron beam treatment, are rewound onto take-up reels. Easy-e-Beam can handle cross-sections up to 30mm² (60kcmil) and, for small wires, reach a line speed of up to 1,000m per minute. IBA can also provide complete and fully integrated crosslinking lines, including payoff, take-up and quality control equipment.

IBA Industrial – Belgium Fax : +32 1047 5992

Website : www.iba-industrial.com

47

Wire & Cable ASIA – July/August 2010