New coaxial cable insulation supports increased bandwidth demand

Borealis, a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, introduces Borcell HE1106, a cutting-edge high density polyethylene (HDPE) insulation material for the coaxial cable market. It allows the cost-effective production of cables with increased and more reliable data transmission at higher frequencies. As a result, network providers can minimise signal loss, raise performance quality and use wider bandwidth to offer a variety of services to customers over the same network, such as internet, telephony, voice-over IP and cable television.

Borcell HE1106 is a fully compounded HDPE for the gas injected cellular insulation of small to medium coaxial cables. The insulation solution is produced under strictly monitored compounding conditions using electrically clean raw materials. It gives consistent foaming performance during extrusion providing an expansion degree of up to 80% and a constant standard of quality for the manufacturer.

Borcell HE1106 also contains a uniformly dispersed nucleating agent, which optimises processing by delivering a wide processing window and ease of use for cable manufacturers. This uniform dispersion also optimises the cable performance in offering the lowest possible dielectric loss compared to other available alternatives even at high frequencies of 3000 MHz. More reliable transmission performance for finished cables benefits both network providers and end-users.

In addition, the uniform cell structure and surface smoothness achieved with HE1106 insulation makes the material more difficult to crush. By strengthening the finished cable, Borcell HE1106 allows manufacturers to achieve longer production runs as bigger rolls can be produced without the potential of cable damage. Larger rolls also save transport costs for the cable producer.

“Coaxial cable producers are under increasing pressure from the network providers to manufacture cables that will allow higher frequency transmissions without negatively impacting on performance,” comments Bart Verheule, Borealis Application Marketing Manager. “Borcell HE1106 is an ideal solution to this challenge, embracing both the demands of the network and the need for cost-effective production by the cable manufacturers themselves.”

Borealis has more than 40 years of experience in providing high-quality polyolefin compounds to the wire and cable market and is the world leader in this market segment.