Comparison of Flame Retardant / Low Smoke Polymers for Cable
(Common Application Areas:   Aeronautical, Avionics, Military,
Naval Shipboard and Marine Vessels, Undersea Vessels)

		Material Type (Tradename)
		TFE (Teflon*)	FEP (Teflon*)	Fluoropolymers (Halar**, Tefzel*)	Polyimide	Low Smoke TPE	Zero-Halogen Low Smoke TPE
M a t e r i a l P r o p e r t i e s	Long-term continuous temperature usage	200 °C	200 °C	150 °C	250 °C	80 to 125 °C	105 °C
	Flammability	Self-extinguishing	Self-extinguishing	Self-extinguishing	Self-extinguishing	Self-extinguishing	Self-extinguishing
	Smoke	Low smoke	Low smoke	Low smoke	Very low smoke	Low smoke	Very low smoke
	Halogen Containing	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No
	Material Cut-through resistance	Poor	Moderate	Excellent	Excellent	Moderate	Moderate
	Material Abrasion resistance	Poor	Good	Excellent	Excellent	Moderate	Moderate
	Electrical	Excellent dielectric constant	Excellent dielectric constant	Poor dielectric constant	Spontaneous ignition in overcurrent conditions. Intermediate dielectric constant	Poor dielectric constant	Poor dielectric constant
	Relative Weight (based on density)	Heavy	Heavy	Moderately heavy	Very Light	Light to Medium	Medium
	Cost (ranking) 10 highest; 1 lowest	10	10	8	8	3	4

*Teflon, Tefzel are trademarks of E.I.Dupont
**Halar is a trademark of Solvay

© 2004 - Virginia Plastics Company, Inc

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Disclaimer: The information shown here has been assembled from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed by Virginia Plastics. Virginia Plastics is not responsible for its accuracy or reliability.