Borealis 2004 innovations for Wire & Cable: Materials for high productivity, lower costs, better performance

The first half of 2004 has been marked by four innovations from Borealis for the wire and cable industry:

• The high productivity Supercure™ LS4201 XLPE grade for MV and HV cables,

• A new, tougher flame-retardant Casico™ PE for building and power cables,

• New Borcell™ polyethylene-based cellular compounds for telecom and data cable insulation and

• Cleantainer™ availability of Supercure LE820, for efficient delivery of MV insulations.

“We are also excited about a new, polypropylene solution for loose-tube production for fibre-optic cables that Borealis plans to launch later this year. It promises to further demonstrate Borealis’ strength as a technology leader and full-range supplier to the wire and cable industry,” says Gustaf Åkermark, Vice President, Wire & Cable.

New Supercure™ LS4201

Supercure LS4201 helps meet the growing demand for MV and HV underground cable systems by significantly increasing the throughput in cable production whilst maintaining the traditionally excellent quality and performance from XLPE compounds. Degassing and extrusion are significantly improved with LS4201—for example, there can be 25% or greater reduction in the total manufacturing cycle time for typical HV cables (exact savings depend on cable design, size and manufacturing procedures).

Innovative Casico™ FR4805

Casico PE-based FR4805 is a fire-retardant jacketing compound for business and power cables. With resistance to abrasion, cutting and penetration that is significantly higher than existing products, FR4805 is designed to make cable installations safer. Designed to be used as a 90°C rated jacketing compound, it is ideal for areas that are sensitive to smoke and/or corrosive and toxic combustion products. It additionally contains a stabilisation system to provide protection against ultraviolet light.

Borcell™ insulating compounds

Borcell is an extensive range of chemically and physically blown PE insulating compounds offering improved telecom, data, and television transmission properties. Borcell materials are optimised to generate uniform and evenly distributed cells, which enhance transmission. In addition, improved flow properties, melt elasticity and purity all ensure superior processing, allowing high line speeds in combination with minimal capacitance variations. Applications include multipair telephone cables, CATV and data cables, high-expansion physically foamed insulation with up to 80% expansion, and 3G mobile phone antenna using 50-Ohm coaxial cable.

Cleantainer™ delivery of Supercure™ LE8201

With a 25% increase in the amount of XLPE power cables manufactured over the last five years, cable makers require solutions. In addition to increased productivity, there is need for an improved delivery system of materials.

Cleantainer, with its steel shell and clean PE liner, provides an as-produced purity for large-capacity bulk delivery. Supercure LE8201, whose rapid crosslinking chemistry allows lines to run up to 30% faster, is a perfect partner. Together, Cleantainer and Supercure LE8201 make a significant contribution to operability, productivity and ultimately profitability.

Coming soon: PP for fibre optics

Borealis PP1112, due for release later in 2004, is designed for production of loose tube fibre- optic products, using standard equipment currently producing loose tubes from more expensive PBT. The new, lower cost PP1112 runs at the same speeds as PBT, but exceeds PBT in hydrolytic stability. Material cost saving is expected to be in the 30-40% range for loose tubes. PP1112 is also suitable for use in slotted core elements.

Reader enquiries

Borealis
Borealis Head Office
IZD Tower
Wagramerstraße 17–19
A-1220 Vienna
Austria

+43 (0) 1 22 4000

www.borealisgroup.com

borealis