wiredinUSA September 2012

wiredInUSA - September 2012

INDEX

Teknor Apex Europe manufactures

compounds in four broad product families

based on these widely differing TPE

chemistries: styrenics – blends of styrene block

copolymer rubber and thermoplastics;

vulcanizates – compounds consisting

of cross-linked elastomers within a

thermoplastic matrix; olefinics – blends

of polypropylene or polyethylene with

thermoset rubber or with olefin block

copolymer (OBC); and over-molding

compounds – proprietary blends that can

bond to a wide range of styrenic and

engineering resins.

New alloys for rod

RUSAL, one of the world’s largest aluminum

producers has announced that its rare

earth and transition metals aluminum

alloys for wire rod for the cable industry have

entered production.

The technology to enable the production

of cable alloys based on aluminum with an

increased resistance to temperature and,

as a result, with higher power transmission

capacity, was developed jointly with

scientists from Siberian Federal University,

Ufa State Aviation Technical University and

the Chemistry Faculty of Moscow State

University. The initial trials were carried out

at Tomsk cable plant.

A multifunctional casting, rolling and pressing

facility is currently being installed at Irkutsk

aluminum smelter. It will be capable of

producing 2,200 tonnes of wire rod per

month, from aluminum alloys with rare

earth and transition metals. The product is

already in demand by the cable industry.

“Cables made from the new wire rod have

much better characteristics. Their durability

and resistance to temperature is about 50

percent higher than normal ones have. Re-

garding the significant deterioration of the

Russian power grids, new cables will benefit

not only metals and cables producers, but

also grid and power companies. RUSAL’s

product is also significantly cheaper than

its US or European counterparts. We ex-

pect this product will be able to partially

supersede the expensive copper cables

and broaden aluminum application limits,”

commented UC RUSAL’s technical director,

Viktor Mann.

Cable entry seals

RoxtecBG™solutions combine the simplicity

and flexibility of the Roxtec multi-cable

transit sealing system with the ability to

bond and ground metal clad or armored

cables. The new system provides protection

against weather, explosion, and rodents

and is fire-rated for bulkheads, walls, decks

and floor entries.

As with other Roxtec cable seals, Roxtec BG

(bonding and grounding) can be used in

many different industries. “Roxtec BG was

an instant success within onshore oil and

gas, for which it was originally developed.

Then it was discovered by our telecom

customers. We now experience a huge

interest in this electrical safety solution

also from customers working with offshore

projects all over the world,” says Fredrik

Timonen, global segment manager oil and

gas offshore, Roxtec.

Roxtec BG solutions are designed to

increase the cable density capacity while

decreasing the footprint. They are up to

70 percent more area efficient than

traditional cable glands. A single ‘window’

cut-out in a cabinet can accommodate

up to 32 cables, replacing 32 individual

knock-outs and 32 cable glands. It allows

installers to use smaller, lighter cabinets and

reduce costs.

Tow cable

UK cable manufacturer Elmeridge Cables

has announced the availability of its new

Elmtronic range of tow cables, produced

using a highly specialized steel wire. The

range is designed to provide exceptional

yield strength and a high degree of corro-

sion resistance, while remaining non-mag-

netic at sub-zero temperatures.

The cable carries 2 x 50 ohm coaxials +

2 x 6mm

conductors + 4 pairs of 24AWG

with aluminum foil screen, and 3 layers of

torque-balanced, contra-helical, special

steel wire armor with 38-ton breaking strain.

This austenitic stainless steel has corrosion

resistance greater than that provided

by types 316, 316L, 317 and 317L, plus

approximately twice the yield strength at

room temperatures. In addition, the steel

has excellent mechanical properties at

both elevated and sub-zero temperatures.

Unlike many austenitic stainless steels it does

not become magnetic when cold worked,

and it has a yield strength about three to

four times that of type 316 stainless steel.

Optical monitoring

Lanode has released of a range

of manufacturer independent optical

monitoring equipment that expands the

organization’s security products portfolio.

Special underwater tow cable with 38-ton breaking strain