Polyvinylchloride (PVC) Thermoplastic Jacket Material Overview
Polyvinylchloride (PVC) - Thermoplastic Material
| This thermoplastic material has a wide range of applications in the plastics processing industry. In the cable industry, various PVC compounds are formulated to meet the specific requirements of cables and wires. National standards, such as VDE, and international bodies like IEC have established compound types with precise properties to suit diverse applications, providing standardized base materials for common uses. The properties of standardized PVC mixtures for the cable industry are defined under the following VDE standards, for example: |
| • PVC - insulation mixture EN 50363-3, VDE 0207-363-3 |
| • PVC - jacket mixture EN 50363-4-1, VDE 0207-363-4-1 |
Which additives are used for PVC cables and wires?
| Our specialized PVC compounds, YA and YM, are designed for insulation and jacketing applications. PVC type YA, used for core insulation, offers exceptional flexibility and excellent electrical properties. PVC type YM, used as a jacket material, provides high flexibility along with strong mechanical characteristics. |
| • softeners |
| • stabilizers |
| • filler materials |
| • slip additives |
Which PVC mixtures or PVC types are used for the production of electrical cables?
| Our specialized PVC compounds, YA and YM, are used for insulation and jacketing applications. PVC type YA, designed for core insulation, is highly flexible and exhibits excellent electrical properties. PVC type YM, used as a jacket material, offers superior mechanical strength and high flexibility. |
Technical Data and Features of PVC (Y) as Insulation Material or Jacketing Material
| Our specialized PVC compounds, YA and YM, are used for insulation and jacketing applications. PVC type YA, designed for core insulation, is highly flexible and exhibits excellent electrical properties. PVC type YM, used as a jacket material, offers superior mechanical strength and high flexibility. | |
| VDE abbreviation of PVC: | Y |
| Temperature range of PVC (flexing): | +5°C / +70°C |
| Temperature range of PVC (static): | -40°C / +70°C |
| Flame retardance of PVC: | good |
| PVC Tensile strength: | 15 N/mm² |
| Elongation at break of PVC: | 250% |
| Abrasion resistance of PVC: | medium |
| PVC Dielectric constant: | approx 4.0 at 800 Hz |
| Specific resistance of PVC: | 1013 Ohm x cm |
| PVC Break-down-voltage: | 12 kV/mm |
| Radiation resistance of PVC: | 8 x 107 cJ/kg |
| Halogen-free: | no |
Cold Resistant PVC (YK) - Characteristics and Advantages
| Electrical cables with a cold-resistant PVC outer jacket (YK) maintain excellent flexibility and mechanical strength even in sub-zero temperatures as low as -40°C. This PVC type is designed to withstand a wide range of weather conditions. | |
| Static: | -40°C up to +70°C |
| Flexing: | -20°C up to +70°C |
Heat Resistant PVC (YW) - Characteristics and Advantages
| Heat-resistant PVC can withstand temperatures up to +105°C. Its insulation and jacket materials offer excellent electrical and mechanical properties, along with superior heat resistance. According to VDE 0207, the maximum permissible operating temperature for the conductor is +90°C. Exceeding this limit shortens the cable’s service life. | |
| Static: | -40°C up to +90°C |
| Flexing: | -5°C up to +90°C |
| Short-term use: | up to +105°C |
Oil Resistant PVC (YOE) - Characteristics and Advantages
| Oil-resistant PVC (YOE), classified as TM5 under EN 50363-4-1 and VDE 0207-363-4-1, is primarily used as a jacket material. However, it can also serve as an insulation material when required. | |
| Static: | -40°C up to +70°C |
| Flexing: | -5°C up to +70°C |
| PVC is inherently flame-retardant due to its chemical composition. SAB’s PVC compounds comply with fire behavior standards such as IEC 60332-1-2 (VDE 0482-332-1-2), UL VW1, and CSA FT1/FT2. However, in the event of a fire, halogens are released, posing potential risks to people, the environment, buildings, and machinery. Additionally, PVC cables, including control and data cables, are not suitable for outdoor installation. |
Application Fields of PVC Insulated Cables
| PVC cables are widely used in various control applications, including machine tools, assembly and flow lines, conveyor systems, production lines, and plant construction. They are also essential in switchgear cabinet construction, communication technology, household appliances, generators, transformers, and mechanical engineering. Additional applications include switchgear and control engineering, electrical installation, packaging technology, textile and woodworking industries, electrical and data processing, cleaning equipment, the automotive industry, automation technology, press and mold making, printing and paper machinery, surface technology, iron and steel production, beverage filling plants, the chemical industry, intrinsically safe circuits, explosion-proof control units, CNC machining centers, lamps, and lighting technology. |