WCA September 2014

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42 Wire & Cable ASIA – September/October 2014
Technologynews
CABLES that are being used externally and without jointing,
eg telecoms, power, etc, require some element of water
blocking. There are two main methods available – longitudinal
and radial water blocking.
Longitudinal is the most common option and uses petrogel to
protect the cables. This adheres to the cable components to
close off all possible leakage areas along its length. However,
problems have occurred when using this method, eg
application can be messy and containment can be difficult.
Technical Absorbents Ltd (TAL) has an alternative solution –
Cabletas.
The Super Absorbent Fibre (SAF) manufacturer provides high
levels of innovation and product development expertise to the
global cable market with its Cabletas range of SAF and
SAF-containing converted materials.
SAF can be converted into spun yarns and non-woven tapes
that provide optimum protection for internal and external
cable applications. This dry active system prevents water
passage along the cable from a joint or point of sheath
damage.
The highly effective protection is achieved by a
SAF-containing water-swellable yarn or tape being
incorporated into the cable during manufacture. If a cable is
then damaged and starts to take on water, the yarn and/or
tape will rapidly absorb the liquid at the point of entry and
swell to form a gel – blocking any further water ingress.
Any damage is then minimal, fully contained and easy to
locate and repair. Application is suitable for many different
cable types including telecoms, medium and high voltage,
industrial and underwater. Without water-blocking technology,
the results of water ingress can be costly and very
problematic.
SAF yarns and tapes have sufficient strength to withstand the
stresses of the cable-making process, have high gel viscosity,
are resistant to cable-operating conditions for the lifetime of
the cable, and provide long-term stability at extreme
temperatures.
Technical Absorbents Ltd – UK
Website:
Cabletas – optimum
protection from water
penetration
❍ Swellable yarn