Wire and cable with thermoplastic resin mainly polyethylene ( PE ), polyvinyl chloride ( PVC ), polypropylene ( PP ), fluorine resin, chlorinated polyether and polyamide, which is widely used in PE, PVC and PP, this paper reviews the 3 cable material of domestic and foreign development situation and trend of development.

1, world cable material develops the current situation and development trend

In recent years, world cable product shows continued growth state, development is the rapiddest is america. North American national cable products produced about 26% of world total output. World cable production and the largest share of total is low-voltage cables and power industry with wire, about 36% of the total. Then were the high voltage cable, about 28% of the total; wrapping line about 20% of the total; outdoor laying copper core cable, about 9% of the total; computer cables and other types of buildings, communication cable, about 7% of the total. From the cable production output value, fiber optic cable and computer cable, about 25.4% of the total, of which about 8.9% of the total fiber optic cable.

From the growth rate, the growth rate is the fastest fiber optic cable: according to Cahners In - Star group investigation report, fiber optic cable is very promising, second only to the fiber optic cable is computer cables and indoor laying communication cables, power cables to maintain a small steady growth.

With the cable industry, corresponding to the above cable various cable demand also is in constant growth.

1.1 PE cable material

Foreign early in nineteen forties will PE for communication cable. In 90 time later period, PE cable has been in the PE products occupy an important position. In recent years, with the voice of environmental protection rise, international is gradually replaced by PE PVC, the PE cable material resin consumption increase year by year.

1.1.1 PE high speed extrusion communication cable

At present, on international normally made of high density polyethylene ( HDPE ) or medium density polyethylene ( MDPE ) for communication of insulating material. HDPE mechanical strength and electrical properties are good, especially has high toughness, fully meet the requirements of the use of insulating material. Since the 7O time metaphase, telephone cable insulation layer has the majority of the use of HDPE.

1.1.2 PE crosslinking cable

Power cable with cross-linked PE positive direction of development. At present, the international from 1 kV low pressure low pressure kV cable, 6~35 cable to 110 kV high voltage power cables tend to use PE crosslinking. The crosslinked PE production technology mainly divided into three categories: radiation cross-linking mainly the production of electrical equipment cable; silane crosslinking with silane as crosslinking agent, under the action of catalyst to make PE crosslinking; chemical crosslinking of low density polyethylene ( LDPE ) as the base material, organic peroxide as crosslinking agent, suitable for high temperature, high voltage, high frequency under the conditions of the use of cable, can produce 6-35 kV, 35-110 kV high voltage cables, control cables, aviation cable.

1.1.3 flame retardant PE cable material

At the beginning of 80 time, abroad have developed low smoke halogen-free flame retardant cable compound. To 80 time later period, already developed the second generation of wire and cable with halogen-free flame retardant plastics. With the first generation product photograph is compared, the second generation of halogen-free flame retardant plastic except in flame retardancy, smoke, toxic, corrosive properties, mechanical properties, electrical properties are improved, the high speed extrusion properties is a major feature.

Japan's annual 5O pieces and promulgation of halogen-free flame retardant cable materials related patents. These patents are mostly of Hitachi Cable Co Ltd, Japan Union Carbide Corporation and Sumitomo, Japan and other wire company. This patent to use different methods to solve, halogen-free flame retardant cable materials center, which overcome the flame retardant properties and other properties of the contradiction, on the performance of integrated balance; there are many patents are committed to the development of new agents with magnesium hydroxide, which is a very important with the agent, has in many countries patent, and many foreign authoritative literature recommendation

1.1.4 shielded cable material

Shielded cable is a cable used for protecting the main insulation layer from being damaged by the semi conductive composites. According to the provisions of IEC 502, rated voltage 1.8/3.0 above kV PVC, ethylene propylene rubber insulated cables, rated voltage 3.6/6.0 kV, must use the inner and the outer semiconductive shielding layer.

At present, the international many polyolefin manufacturers develop and produce the PE crosslinking cable semi-conductive shielding material special for.

1.2 PVC cable material

In the wire and cable insulation and sheathing materials, PVC is very cheap, excellent mechanical properties, easy processing, so that it has become the largest number of wire and cable industry using the material. Enter since the end of the twentieth Century, PVC material environment problems have been widely recognized, some developed countries have put forward to restrict or ban on the use of PVC cable legal advice. The data show that the countries of Western Europe, the cable area and the amount of PVC, 44lkt in 1994, is engaged in polymer cable 58%, and in 2000, PVC in Western European cable industry total dosage is 398 kt. busy cable used polymer 48%, total amount and proportion decreased. In recent years, control and the prohibition of the use of PVC material has formed a strong trend.

Although the use of halogen free materials to replace PVC materials are increasing, but the PVC itself is short-term inside still cannot replace the advantages ( such as low price, good flame retardance, processing equipment, simple process, wide adjustable range of hardness, good electric insulation, oil resistance, chemical reagent and so on ), so the short term full the world completely banned PVC use is not reality.

1.3 PP cable material

PP because of its mechanical properties, electrical properties, wear resistance, resistance to chemical reagents especially oil resistance superior performance, are widely used in power cables overhead lines and electrical equipment cable. Foreign PP used in wire and cable insulation to begin at 60 time, to 90 time later in the United States of America PP amount has reached more than 10kt, in the PP total amount occupies a more important component. British BP, 13 of the Faculty of Hing estate, Germany Bayer company has PP cable material grades, but especially in the United States and development of PP wire and cable the largest brand, and to Profax SE 191 is the most excellent. Because