Polyolefin-Based Thermosetting Jackets for Power Cables

Since their introduction 30 years ago, nonmetallic jackets have largely replaced fibrous coverings and also, to a considerable extent, lead sheaths for rubber-insulated power cables. The commonly used jacket material is neoprene compound. A new polymer, chlorosulfonated polyehtylene (CSPE), has become available with which compounds have been developed that provide a combination of characteristics superior to presently used jacketing materials. The outstanding features of these new compounds, improved thermal and water stability, make them more suitable in over-all characteristics for jacketing power cables insulated with the newer heat-and moisture-resistant insulations which withstand normal operating temperatures of 90 C (degrees centigrade) and short-circuit temperatures as high as 260 C.