Thermoplastic elastomer TPU has a wide range of hardness (60HA-85HD), abrasion resistance, oil resistance, transparency and good elasticity. It is widely used in daily necessities, sporting goods, toys, decorative materials and other fields. PVC meets environmental requirements in more and more fields.
The wire and cable industry is one of the important application areas of thermoplastic elastomer TPU. Most products in this industry have higher requirements on the flame retardancy of TPU, and as the application of TPU gradually deepens, the flame retardancy requirements of TPU will tend to be normal. At present, most of the flame retardant TPU used in the wire and cable industry requires no halogen (in view of the toxicity of halogen, the industry mostly uses halogen-free flame retardants). And with the expansion of the application of TPU in the cable industry, it is foreseeable that the demand for halogen-free flame retardant TPU materials will further increase!
There are many types of elastomers used in cable outer covers and insulation. There are many types of thermoplastic elastomers used in cable outer covers and insulation. Polyolefin thermoplastic elastomers (TPO) and styrene thermoplastic elastomers (SBC). , Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU), polyester thermoplastic elastomer (TPUE), etc. Among them, because of the excellent insulation resistance performance of TPO and SBC, they are often used for cable outer covers and insulation layers; while TPU and TPUE are generally used for cable outer covers.
Halogen-free flame-retardant elastomers are based on resins and rubbers, and composite materials with halogen-free flame retardants contain a large amount of organic compounds, which have a certain flammability. At the same time, the addition of flame retardants can prevent its combustion. Flame retardants exert their flame retardant effects through several mechanisms, such as endothermic effect, covering effect, chain reaction inhibition, and asphyxiating effect of non-combustible gases. Most flame retardants achieve flame retardant purposes through the combined action of several mechanisms.
PVC smoke is relatively large and does not meet the requirements for escape; environmentally friendly PVC formulations are not yet mature and the cost requirements are high. In terms of environmental protection, PVC materials cannot be compared with TPU and TPR. Low-smoke and halogen-free TPU products are used in large public places (subway). Stations, large shopping malls, etc.), good electrical insulation, UV resistance, chemical resistance, no harmful substances will be generated during combustion, there is a tendency to gradually replace PVC, and the use of halogen-free materials, such as TPU halogen-free flame-retardant wires, may be mandatory Cables, also have PE or EVA-based connectors, switches, sockets, computer cables, mouse wheels, telephone lines, mobile phone shell antennas, electronic buttons, electrical support or base, camera parts.
What are the advantages of TPU over other traditional wire and cable materials?
Halogen-free flame retardant and low-smoke halogen-free are a big trend. Recyclable, environmentally friendly, ROHS compliant, and UL compliant. Excellent processability: can be processed at 180 ~ 220 ℃, TPU processing is the most convenient energy saving. Most thermoplastic elastomers do not require vulcanization or a short vulcanization time, which can effectively save energy. Excellent heat resistance: heat resistance 136 ℃ × 168hr can pass both flexibility and surface smoothness, humanization, and human body compatibility can pass physical property tests: such as tensile strength test, elongation test can pass electrical properties test.
TPU has the characteristics of both plastic and rubber, and is known as "the third generation of synthetic rubber". In TPU, SBS styrene block copolymer occupies an important position, and it is an environmentally friendly thermoplastic elastomer material that can replace PVC and soft vulcanized rubber with the largest output and fastest development in the world. TPU material can replace PVC as the insulation material for wires and cables. At present, it is applied in the fields of low temperature, aging resistance and good touch, especially in some high-end consumer electronics fields, such as data lines, earphone lines, electronic lines, power lines, signal lines, etc.
With the rapid development of China's economy, new and high technologies are constantly being updated, and products are developing to a higher level, the types and quantity of low-smoke and halogen-free cables will gradually increase. Therefore, we believe that the market share of low-smoke and halogen-free thermoplastic elastomers for wire and cable It will increase year by year, which is the general trend! TPU environmental protection cable will effectively promote the development of the cable industry, enhance the competitiveness of cable production enterprises, and make the cable industry more and more stable on the road of sustainable development in green practice and innovation.