Safer more durable cables

Flame-retardant cables and hoses for the railway, marine, military and automotive industries have reached new levels of safety, durability and ease of installation according to DuPont.

Collaboration between DuPont and wire and cable makers to develop optimum formulations using Vamac has resulted in a combination of properties that the company says outperform other commonly used polymers for flame-retardant cables and hoses, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVM). Optimized Vamac compounds combine enhanced fire and oil resistance with improved low temperature flexibility (without plasticizer), and heat resistance of up to 175°C.

These collaborative programmes have yielded innovative jacketing and insulation solutions including, for example, for the railway industry, where high flame retardance, low smoke and low toxicity are critical, Vamac DP is the solution of choice for power and communication cables.