Data Cable Insulation

The continuing major growth of information technology (IT) is driving the need for more accurate and faster transmission of ever-larger volumes of data.  In just 10 years, this demand on cable performance has progressed from 100 Base-T (Cat 5E) to 1000 Base-T (Cat 6) and today is moving onwards to 10 GBase-T (Cat 6A-Cat 7). 

This means that data cables working at higher frequencies up to 1200MHz require optimised insulation materials with consistently identical electrical properties.

Superior insulation performance

To meet these emerging demands, Borealis offers a range of high density polyethylene (HDPE) solutions for higher performing data cables.  These include both solid as well as chemically and physically foamed insulations. In particular, advances in its Borcell™ cellular compounds are designed to deliver superior dielectric properties and insulation performance.  They provide network operators with:

• enhanced signal strength at high frequencies,
• improved processability and productivity to cable manufacturing. 

Better transmission quality

Borcell cellular compounds, based on electrically clean feedstock, are optimised to aid the formation of uniform, evenly distributed cells in the foamed insulation to give improved adhesion to the conductor, increased crush resistance, very low dielectric losses, and higher transmission reliability at up to 1200MHz.

Higher productivity in manufacturing

Offering excellent chemical and physical foaming in the extrusion of cables, Borcell compounds can be processed over a wide range of conditions, achieving between 50-80% foam expansion, thereby making them ideal insulation for data cables. The improved flow, melt elasticity properties and purity of Borcell compounds raise productivity and cost efficiency by enabling:

• geometric consistency of insulation
• improved dielectric consistency;
• higher extrusion speeds;
• less extruder downtime for cleaning;
• longer production runs;
• increased twisting speed due to improved crush resistance.

Complementary cable jacketing
In support of its advanced Borcell insulation compounds, Borealis offers a wide range of Casico LSZH sheathing materials for FR jacketing communications cables.  These deliver easy processing and high line speed.