WCA January 2011

Technology news

Huge wire order from Korea

World’s first PVC/halogen-free solution? Electronics OEMs looking for PVC alternatives to make flexible cords safer and more environmentally sustainable now have halogen-free options from The Dow Chemical Company. Dow Sustain TM is said to offer the first PVC and halogen-free compounds to meet key global industry standards for continuous operating temperature, low smoke and heat deformation. Four different product grades for jacketing and insulation are available in sample quantities for producers of wires, cables and cords for electrical and electronics applications. “With the demand for PVC alternatives in an electronics market growing fast, Dow has made a significant investment over the last three years in perfecting halogen-free compounds,” says Simon Leung, platform leader for personal electronics at Dow Wire & Cable. “Dow Sustain is the first halogen-free offering qualified to meet UL 62, JCS4509 and HD21.14 requirements on a commercial scale while delivering excellent look and feel as well as enhanced product and extrusion performance.” In addition, Dow Sustain exhibits good chemical resistivity, low corrosive off-gassing in the event of a fire, and flexibility for ease of handling during manufacturing of the end product. Dow Wire & Cable worked with Shenzhen BaoHing Electric Wire & Cable Manufacture Co Ltd and Volex to trial Dow Sustain under manufacturing conditions. The companies were able to meet key global standards using the new Dow Wire & Cable compounds.

American Superconductor Corporation has received what is expected to be the world’s largest order for high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire. LS Cable Ltd, a client of long standing with AMSC, has placed an order for 3,000,000m (nearly 10 million feet) of Amperium wire, AMSC’s proprietary second generation (2G) HTS wire. LS Cable intends to utilise the wire to complete alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) superconductor cable projects globally. Under the terms of the contract, AMSC is to begin shipping Amperium wire to LS Cable in 2012. “Our objective is to be the leading provider of superconductor power cables for electric utilities worldwide,” said LS Cable president, Jong-ho Son. He added, “This Amperium wire contract helps ensure we will have the wire we need to complete the superconductor cable projects we have underway with KEPCO in Korea and also take on commercial project opportunities globally such as Tres Amigas in the US.” American Superconductor Corporation – USA Website : www.amsc.com

Dow Wire & Cable – USA Website : www.dowwireandcable.com

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Wire & Cable ASIA – January/February 2011