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wiredInUSA - May 2014
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INDEXHRFR compounds
Solvay Specialty Polymers has introduced
a new polyolefin grade, Cogegum
®
GFR
380, to its Cogegum range of cross-linkable,
halogen-free flame retardant compounds
for cable jacketing for the railway, shipping,
oil and gas industries.
According to Luigi Dalpasso, senior vice
president, and head of cross-linkable
compounds for Solvay Specialty Polymers, the
new grade represents a major breakthrough
in silane-grafted HFFR. “Cogegum GFR 380
is based on a new technology platform
that elevates performance capabilities to
an unprecedented level,” he said.
GFR 380 has been developed to overcome
the inherent stiffness of silane-grafted HFFR
materials. With a 38 Shore D hardness, the
new grade is softer and more flexible than
typical silane-grafted HFFRs with a 45 to 50
Shore D hardness. This is especially valuable
in railway and shipboard applications
where cable space is narrow and bending
ability is a key advantage. Cogegum GFR
380 is also said to provide superior flame
retardant properties as, during burning, the
char is compact and protects the cable.
The new grade offers the same chemical
resistance as previous grades to such
substances as oil, fuels, alkalines, acids, and
service fluids.
Cogegum GFR 380 incorporates a
masterbatch featuring additives to improve
cross-linking action, weatherability and
aging. The material is rated for use up to
90°C (194°F) and, for certain applications,
can be adapted up to 105°C (221°F).
LPCB approvals
Doncaster Cables’ mineral insulated cable
has obtained LPCB approval. The insulated
coppercablesareapprovedtoBSEN60702-1
and IEC60332-21, ensuring fire survival times
of over three hours at temperatures up to
950°C. Thecables are suitable for indoor and
outdoor applications and for fire protection
appliances in critical circuits such as alarms,
sprinklers, emergency power and lighting
and smoke control systems.
Mineral insulated cables are especially
valuable in industries where flammable
gases or liquids are present, ensuring circuit
integrity for both control and power circuits.
Low power transmission modules
At the beginning of April, Toshiba
Corporation began production of new
additions to its line-up of Toslink™ fiber optic
transmission modules. The new modules use
all plastic fiber.
A high-power, high-reliability red LED
allows the modules to be driven at a lower
current than existing products. Transmission
distance of 40m to 100m can be achieved
with a 6mA drive current, and distances
of 0.2m to 50m with a 1.5mA drive current.
This is believed to be 90 percent lower than
for existing products. The optic receiving
module uses a single-chip light sensor IC
containing a photodiode, an amplifier and
a waveform-shaping circuit, and operates
at 20mA. Four new products will be
available. The TOTX1350 (F) and TORX1350
(F) are horizontal type optical transmitting
and receiving modules; and TOTX1350 (V,F)