High Temperature Thermoplastics Polyurethanes for Cable Jacketing Applications

摘要

The temperature rating of jacketing material is very important for cable applications. Temperature rating helps users determine operating range of cable products. There are several ways one can determine temperature rating of cable products. One of the widely used methods is to assign temperature rating according to UL 1581. Until recently, TPUs can only be rated at a maximum 80 °C via short term aging as per UL 1581. As such, TPUs were not considered for higher temperature applications. Due to Lubrizol's proposal, the revision of UL 1581 dated January 30, 2013 enables TPU materials to be rated for 90 °C and 105 °C via simple 7 days aging test. In this paper, data are presented for thermal aging of two TPU grades for 90 °C and 105 °C rating as per UL 1581. Effects of processing variables such as RPM and temperature on mechanical properties of two TPU grades are reviewed. Additionally, post extrusion shrinkage data and effect of processing variables on shrinkage of two TPU grades are presented. At the end, new high temperature TPU technology with ability to get 125 °C rating is reviewed.