Cable Properties & Recommended Uses
INW
recommends either polyurethane, polyethylene,
or FEP Teflon® for most applications. For high
temperature and/or high contamination applications, INW recommends the Tefzel®
cable.
Polyurethane:
Polyurethane (PU) cable can handle temperatures up to 80º Celsius and is a good
general-purpose cable.
| Advantages: |
Flexible in cold
weather and resistant to abrasion |
| Disadvantages: |
Not recommended
for high temperature and/or high contamination applications |
| Recommended use: |
Most
applications, unless high temperature or high contamination is involved |
Note:
Polyurethane comes in two variations—polyester-based and polyether-based.
Polyester-based material is subject to early hydrolysis and degradation in many
environments that polyether-based material is not. Heat, oxidation, and certain chemicals
will accelerate this degradation. All polyurethane cable sold by INW is
polyether-based.
Polyethylene:
Polyethylene (PE or HDPE) can handle temperatures up to 80º Celsius and is often used in
direct burial and long term submerged applications for industrial and telephone
applications.
| Advantages |
Very low water
absorption and good resistance to a wide range of chemicals |
| Disadvantages |
Very stiff in
cold weather and not as resistant to abrasion as polyurethane |
| Recommended use: |
Most permanent
installations, unless high temperature or high contamination is involved |
FEP Teflon® Cable:
FEP Teflon® cable has an outer jacket of Teflon® and an inner core
of polyurethane for strength and flexibility. This cable can handle temperatures up to
80º Celsius.
| Advantages: |
Highest
resistance to water absorption and chemical attack, good flexibility, cheaper than pure
Teflon® cable |
| Disadvantages: |
More expensive
than polyurethane or polyethylene cable |
| Recommended use: |
Portable and
permanent applications with moderate chemical contamination and temperatures below 80º
Celsius |
Inside PU, PE, and FEP Teflon® Cables:
All INW polyurethane, polyethylene, and FEP Teflon® cables contain stranded
conductors and are insulated with polyethylene. This combination makes for good insulation
and good flexibility. All cables also contain a strong nylon vent tube that will not
collapse under compression. The cables also include braided shielding of tin-plated copper
that stands up well in our applications if properly grounded at the instrument ends.
Tefzel®
Cable:
Tefzel® cable has an outer jacket of Tefzel® and has a much higher
temperature rating (up to 150º Celsius) than polyurethane, polyethylene, or FEP Teflon®
cabling. The interior insulation and vent tubing are Teflon®. As in INW’s
other cables, the Tefzel® cable contains stranded conductors and a braided
shield of tin-plated copper.
| Advantages: |
Temperature
rating of 150º Celsius, good for high-temp and/or highly contaminated applications |
| Disadvantages: |
Most expensive |
| Recommended use: |
Any applications
where temperatures may exceed 80º Celsius and in highly contaminated environments |
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Chemical Effects
Chart
|
Polyurethane |
Polyethylene |
FEP Teflon® |
Tefzel® |
ACIDS |
|
|
|
|
Acetic Acid, Glacial |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Chromic Acid 5% |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Hydrochloric Acid 20% |
— |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Sulfuric Acid <10% |
— |
1 |
1 |
1 |
BASES |
|
|
|
|
Propyl Amine |
— |
3 |
1 |
— |
Ammonia 10% |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Sodium Hydroxide 205 |
— |
1 |
1 |
1 |
HALOGENS |
|
|
|
|
Bromine |
3 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
OXIDANTS |
|
|
|
|
Hydrogen Peroxide 10% |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
ALIPHATIC
HYDROCARBONS |
|
|
|
|
Alcholols:
Butyl |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Ethyl |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Propyl |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Gasoline, High-Aromatic |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Kerosene |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Propylene Glycol |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
AROMATIC
HYDROCARBONS |
|
|
|
|
Benzene |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Toluene (Toluol) |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
HALOGENATED
HYDROCARBONS |
|
|
|
|
Carbon
Tetrachloride |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Trichloroethylene |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
HYDROCARBONS |
|
|
|
|
Ketones |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Methylene Chloride |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
OXYGENATED
SOLVENTS AND ESTERS |
|
|
|
|
Acetone |
4 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
Ethylene Glycol |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
SALTS |
|
|
|
|
Copper Cyanide |
— |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Silver Nitrate |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Sodium Bicarbonate |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Zinc Chloride |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
WATERS |
|
|
|
|
Water, Fresh |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Water, Sea |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
COMMON
CHEMICALS |
|
|
|
|
Diesel Fuel |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Jet Fuel (JP3, -4,
-5) |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Chemical Effect
Ratings:
1=Excellent, 2=Good, 3=Fair, 4=Not Recommended, — = No Information |
The information in
this table is intended as a general guide only. Users are responsible to verify the
suitability of any particular material for their own applications through testing or other
means. |
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