Thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (rubber), abbreviated as TPU, has become one of the important types of thermoplastic elastomers due to its excellent performance and wide range of applications. It has high modulus, high strength, excellent wear resistance, chemical resistance, hydrolysis resistance, high and low-temperature resistance, and mildew resistance. These good properties make thermoplastic polyurethane widely used in shoes, cables, clothing, pipes, films, and sheets among many other fields.
In recent years, TPU is gradually replacing PVC and chloroprene rubber in cable applications. Although TPU's consumption in the cable industry is not large, TPU materials are relatively better in environmental and recycling performance. In some application scenarios with stringent environmental requirements, TPU is the preferred material for cable jackets. This article will introduce the application and development trends of TPU in cables.
Thermoplastic polyurethane is widely used in cable jackets from low voltage up to 1KV, mainly due to its excellent mechanical and physical properties. TPU has outstanding toughness and rigidity; low-temperature flexibility, wear resistance, environmental resistance, and weather resistance. These characteristics extend the durability and service life of cables.
Power Energy Cables
Wind power generation, construction, mining, reeling, and spring cables
Communications Cables
Telephone lines, data lines, military and fiber-optic cables
Geophysical Cables
Land and marine cables, submarine and continental shelf cables
Automotive Cables
Anti-lock braking system-ABS
Industrial Cables
Robotic cables, signal transmission lines, cables for trucks/ships/airplanes, subways, airports, and public facilities
Others
Spring wires, retractable wires, video and audio wires, medical device cables
There are many types of thermoplastic elastomers. For cable jackets and insulating layers, the main types include polyolefin thermoplastic elastomers (TPO), styrenic thermoplastic elastomers (SBC), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (TPU), and polyester thermoplastic elastomers (TPEE). Halogen-free flame retardant and low smoke zero halogen material comply with recyclable, environmentally friendly, meet ROHS requirements, and comply with UL requirements.
Excellent Processability
It can be processed at temperatures from 180~220℃. TPU processing is the most convenient; energy-saving thermoplastic elastomers mostly do not require vulcanization or have very short vulcanization times, effectively saving energy.
Excellent Heat Resistance
TPU products can achieve a combination of softness and smooth surface, humanization, and human compatibility. It can pass physical property tests (such as tensile strength tests, elongation tests), and can pass electrical property tests.
TPU combines the characteristics of plastic and rubber and is known as the "third generation synthetic rubber". Among TPUs, SBS styrene block copolymer occupies an important position and is currently the largest production and fastest-growing environmentally friendly thermoplastic elastomer material in the world that can replace PVC and soft vulcanized rubber.
TPU materials can replace PVC as insulation material for wires and cables. Currently, it is used in fields requiring low temperature, aging resistance, and good touch, especially in high-end electronic consumer goods such as data cables, headphone cables, electronic wires, power cables, and signal cables.
