Conductor Insulation and Jacket Materials
Key Properties

MATERIAL
Polyethylenes
(PEs)		 Polypropylenes
(PPs)		 Polyvinylchlorides
(PVCs)		 Polyesters
Co-Polyesters		 O-Elastomers
(TPEs)		 S-Elastomers
(TPEs)		 Vinyl Rubber
(C75)		 ETFE or ECTFE
Fluoropolymers		 TFEs FEPs Polyurethanes*
(TPUs or PURs)		 Polymides
P
R
O
P
E
R
T
Y		 Relative weight
(density)		 Very Light Very Light Medium Light to Medium Light to Medium Light to Medium Medium Heavy Very Heavy Very Heavy Light to Medium Light
Dielectric strength Very High High Moderate High High High Moderate Moderate High High Poor Moderate
Long term typical max operating temperature, ºC 80 90 105 125 125 125 105 150 200 200 90 105
Flame Retardancy, unmodified material Poor Poor Excellent Moderate Poor Poor Not Available Excellent Excellent Excellent Poor Poor
Flame Retardancy, modified material Moderate Very Good Excellent Very Good Excellent Moderate Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Good
Smoke Density (Very Low is safest) Moderate Moderate Very High Moderate to High Very Low to Moderate Moderate to High Moderate to High Low Low Low Moderate to High Low to Moderate
Smoke Toxicity (Very Low is safest) Low to Moderate Low to Moderate Very High Low to Moderate Very Low to Moderate Moderate to High Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate to High Low
Weatherability Good Good Poor Good Excellent Moderate Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Moderate
Abrasion Resistance Moderate Moderate Poor to Good Excellent Moderate to Good Moderate to Good Excellent Excellent Poor Good Excellent Excellent
Water Resistance Excellent Excellent Good Good Excellent Excellent Moderate to Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Moderate Poor to Moderate
Acid Resistance Excellent Excellent Good Good to Very Good Excellent Excellent Moderate Excellent Excellent Excellent Moderate Poor to Moderate
Alkali Resistance Very Good Excellent Good Moderate to Good Good Good Moderate Very Good Excellent Excellent Moderate Excellent
Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Resistance Moderate to Good Good Good Good to Excellent Good Poor Good to Very Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Excellent
Aromatic Hydrocarbon Resistance Poor to Good Moderate to Good Poor Moderate to Excellent Moderate to Good Poor Poor Excellent Excellent Excellent Poor Excellent
Oils (reference) Moderate to Good Moderate to Good Moderate Good to Excellent Moderate to Very Good Poor Good to Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Good to Very Good Good
Fuels (reference) Moderate to Good Good to Excellent Good to Excellent Very Good Moderate to Good Poor Moderate to Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Moderate to Good Good to Excellent

*Polyurethanes are suitable for jackets only

© 2004 - Virginia Plastics Company, Inc

Disclaimer: The information shown here has been assembled from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed by Virginia Plastics.
The properties listed above are only intended to be a general guideline based on a qualitative assessment of typical materials.
Virginia Plastics is not responsible for its accuracy or reliability. All materials are available in multiple grades, which can have varying properties.
Virginia Plastics does not warrant the suitability of a material for a specific application, and the customer should perform their own testing to verify suitability for the intended purposes.
For suggestions concerning materials for a cable design or cable performance objectives, contact Virginia Plastics.
Nothing shown here should be considered a recommendation for any use that would infringe patent rights.