Thermoplastic cables

The paper reviews the circumstances which have led to a considerable increase in the use of thermoplastic cables within the last few months. It points out that the relative importance of such cables cannot yet be evaluated on a peace-time basis since the economic level cannot be established and since a further competitor of natural rubber, namely synthetic rubber, is now making its appearance. In order, however, to establish a basis for evaluation it is desirable to have a thorough understanding of the general characteristics of thermoplastic cables; this is attempted in the paper with particular reference to v.c. (polyvinyl chloride) cables. Indications are given of the polymer situation, the definition of a thermoplastic material and the resulting implications. The building-up and testing of p.v.c. compounds is studied, and the manufacture, characteristics and uses of cables derived therefrom are considered in detail. A brief survey of thermoplastics other than p.v.c. is followed by a comparison of v.c. with rubber.