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Cables used
in transport applications have varying requirements for flame retardants
and smoke suppressants. Automotive cables generally only have to
meet flammability requirements, while cables used in aircraft, rail,
and maritime applications have tighter flammability and reduced
smoke production requirements. Some of the aircraft and rail standards
also include low acidity and toxicity requirements for combustion
products.
Some of
the higher-end applications, such as alarm and critical equipment
control cables, require fire resistant cables that use a different
technology than flame retardant cables, because they must remain
operational even after a fire.
Contact
our Technical Service group for expert advice on our products for
transport cable or see the Product Guide below.
Market
Trends
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PVC still
widely used as the most cost effective solution in general automotive
applications
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Higher
temperature requirements for automotive applications will shift
polymer focus to XLPE from PVC
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Japan
and EU more active in halogen-free solutions for automotive
cables
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Increase
in cable uses in automotive applications as more electronic
equipment is installed as standard
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Thinner
wires to reduce weight make it harder to meet the requirements
unless formulations are improved
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Move
towards higher voltage used in automotives may cause some changes
in materials used
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Silicone
and fluorinated systems widely used in the higher end aircraft
and rail cable systems for their superior fire resistance
Regulatory
Updates
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Some material
and additive deselection and/or additional reporting by automotive
manufacturers, especially in Europe and Japan
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End of
Life regulations for automotives may direct polymer choice in
the future due to increased recycling requirements
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Increasing
pressure for greater fire safety of aircraft wiring systems
Product
Guide for Transport Cable
Key
Polymers
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