HDPE Cable Insulation
Resin
Cable insulation is used to provide electrical separation between conductors of a cable. During the historical development of cables, numerous types of insulation have been employed. During recent years, there has been some consolidation in the types of insulation used.
This post provides some information on the more commonly used cable insulation materials.
Thermoplastic Insulation (PVC and PE)
|
Y
|
Yw
|
Yw
|
Yk
|
|
PVC
|
PVC
|
PVC
|
PVC
|
|
Polyvinylchloride
Compounds
|
Heat-resistant
90oC
|
Heat-resistant
105oC
|
Cold
Resistant
|
|
Density g/cm3
|
1.35 - 1.5
|
1.3-1.5
|
1.3-1.5
|
1.2-1.
|
|
Breakdown Voltage KV/mm (20oC)
|
25
|
25
|
25
|
25
|
|
Specific Volume Resistivity Ω cm (20oC)
|
1013-1015
|
1012-1015
|
1012-1015
|
1012-1015
|
|
Dielectric Constant 50 Hz (20oC)
|
3.6-6
|
4-6.5
|
4.5-6.5
|
4.5-6.5
|
|
Dielectric Loss Factor (tan δ)
|
4 x 10-2 to 1 x 10-1
|
4 x 10-2 to 1 x 10-1
|
4 x 10-2 to 1 x 10-1
|
4 x 10-2 to 1 x 10-1
|
|
Working
Temperature
|
Permanent oC
|
-30 +70
|
-20 +90
|
-20 +05
|
-40 +70
|
|
Short Time oC
|
+100
|
+120
|
+120
|
+100
|
|
Melt Temperature +oC
|
>140
|
>140
|
>140
|
>140
|
|
Flame Resistance
|
Self Extinguishing
|
Self Extinguishing
|
Self Extinguishing
|
Self Extinguishing
|
|
Oxygen Index LOI (% O2)
|
23-42
|
23-42
|
24-42
|
24-42
|
|
Heating Value H0 MJ.kg-1
|
17-25
|
16-22
|
16-20
|
17-24
|
|
Thermal Conductivity W.K-1.m-1
|
0.17
|
0.17
|
0.17
|
0.17
|
|
Corrosive Gases In Case Of Fire
|
Hydrogen Chloride
|
Hydrogen Chloride
|
Hydrogen Chloride
|
Hydrogen Chloride
|
|
Radiation Resistance max Mrad
|
80
|
80
|
80
|
80
|
|
Tensile Strength N/mm2
|
10-25
|
10-25
|
10-25
|
10-25
|
|
Elongation At Break %
|
130-350
|
130-350
|
130-350
|
130-350
|
|
Shore Hardness
|
70-95 (A)
|
70-95 (A)
|
70-95 (A)
|
70-95 (A)
|
|
Abrasion Resistance
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
|
Water Absorption %
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
0.4
|
|
Halogen Free
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
Weather Resistance
|
Medium
(Black: Good)
|
Medium
(Black: Good)
|
Medium
(Black: Good)
|
Medium
(Black: Good)
|
|
Cold Resistance
|
Moderate - Good
|
Moderate - Good
|
Moderate - Good
|
Very Good
|
Thermoplastic Insulation (PE)
|
2Y
|
2Y
|
2X
|
O2Y
|
|
LDPE
|
HDPE
|
VPE
|
|
|
Low density
Polyethylene
|
High density
Polyethylene
|
Cross Linked
Polyethylene
|
Foamed
Polyethylene
|
|
Density g/cm3
|
0.92-0.94
|
0.94-0.98
|
0.92
|
≈0.65
|
|
Breakdown Voltage KV/mm (20oC)
|
70
|
85
|
50
|
30
|
|
Specific Volume Resistivity Ω cm (20oC)
|
1017
|
1017
|
1012-1016
|
1017
|
|
Dielectric Constant 50 Hz (20oC)
|
2.3
|
2.3
|
4-6
|
≈1.55
|
|
Dielectric Loss Factor (tan δ)
|
2 x 10-4
|
3 x 10-4
|
2x 10-3
|
5 x 10-4
|
|
Working
Temperature
|
Permanent oC
|
-50 +70
|
-50 +00
|
-35 +90
|
-40 +70
|
|
Short Time oC
|
+100
|
+120
|
+100
|
+100
|
|
Melt Temperature +oC
|
105-110
|
130
|
-
|
105
|
|
Flame Resistance
|
Flammable
|
Flammable
|
Flammable
|
Flammable
|
|
Oxygen Index LOI (% O2)
|
≤22
|
≤22
|
≤22
|
18-30
|
|
Heating Value H0 MJ.kg-1
|
42-44
|
42-44
|
42-44
|
42-44
|
|
Thermal Conductivity W.K-1.m-1
|
0.3
|
0.4
|
0.3
|
0.25
|
|
Corrosive Gases In Case Of Fire
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
Radiation Resistance max Mrad
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
|
Tensile Strength N/mm2
|
10-20
|
20-30
|
12.5-20
|
8-12
|
|
Elongation At Break %
|
400-600
|
500-1000
|
300-400
|
350-450
|
|
Shore Hardness
|
43-50 (D)
|
60-63 (D)
|
40-45 (D)
|
-
|
|
Abrasion Resistance
|
Medium
|
Good
|
Medium
|
-
|
|
Water Absorption %
|
0.1
|
0.1
|
0.1
|
-
|
|
Halogen Free
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Conditional
|
|
Weather Resistance
|
Medium
(Black: Good)
|
Medium
(Black: Good)
|
Good
|
-
|
|
Cold Resistance
|
Good
|
Good
|
Good
|
Good
|
Thermoplastic Insulation (other)
|
3Y
|
4Y
|
9Y
|
11Y
|
TPE-E (12Y)
|
TPE-O
|
|
PS
|
PA
|
PP
|
PUR
|
|
|
|
Polystrole
|
Polyamide
|
Poly-propylene
|
Poly-urethane
|
PolYester
Elastomer
|
Polyolefine
Elastomer
|
|
Density g/cm3
|
1.05
|
1.02-1.1
|
0.91
|
1.15-1.2
|
1.2-1.4
|
0.89-1.0
|
|
Breakdown Voltage KV/mm (20oC)
|
30
|
30
|
75
|
20
|
40
|
30
|
|
Specific Volume Resistivity Ω cm (20oC)
|
1016
|
1015
|
1016
|
1010-1012
|
>1010
|
>1014
|
|
Dielectric Constant 50 Hz (20oC)
|
2.5
|
4
|
2.3-2.4
|
4-7
|
3.7-5.1
|
2.7-3.6
|
|
Dielectric Loss Factor (tan δ)
|
1 x 10-4
|
2 x 10-2 to 1 x 10-3
|
4 x 10-4
|
2.3 x 10-2
|
1.8 x 10-2
|
1.8 x 10-2
|
|
Working
Temperature
|
Permanent oC
|
-50 +80
|
-60 +05
|
-10 +100
|
-55 +80
|
-50 +100
|
-50 +100
|
|
Short Time oC
|
+100
|
+125
|
+140
|
+100
|
+140
|
+130
|
|
Melt Temperature +oC
|
>120
|
210
|
160
|
150
|
190
|
150
|
|
Flame Resistance
|
Flammable
|
Flammable
|
Flammable
|
Flammable
|
Flammable
|
Flammable
|
|
Oxygen Index LOI (% O2)
|
≤22
|
≤22
|
≤22
|
≤22
|
≤29
|
≤25
|
|
Heating Value H0 MJ.kg-1
|
40-43
|
27-31
|
42-44
|
20-26
|
20-25
|
23-28
|
|
Thermal Conductivity W.K-1.m-1
|
0.25
|
0.23
|
0.19
|
0.25
|
0.5
|
1.5
|
|
Corrosive Gases In Case Of Fire
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
Radiation Resistance max Mrad
|
80
|
10
|
10
|
100 (500)
|
10
|
10
|
|
Tensile Strength N/mm2
|
55-65
|
50-60
|
20-35
|
30-45
|
30
|
20
|
|
Elongation At Break %
|
300-400
|
50-170
|
300
|
500-700
|
>300
|
>300
|
|
Shore Hardness
|
35-50 (D)
|
-
|
55-60 (D)
|
70-100 (A)
|
85 (A), 70 (D)
|
55 (A), 70 (D)
|
|
Abrasion Resistance
|
Good
|
Very Good
|
Medium
|
Very Good
|
Good
|
Good
|
|
Water Absorption %
|
0.4
|
1.0-1.5
|
0.1
|
1.5
|
1.5
|
1.5
|
|
Halogen Free
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Weather Resistance
|
Medium - Good
|
Good
|
Moderate
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
|
Cold Resistance
|
Moderate - Good
|
Good
|
Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Elastomere
|
G
|
2G
|
3G
|
4G
|
5G
|
6G
|
|
NR
SBR
|
SiR
|
EPR
|
EVA
|
CR
|
CSM
|
|
Natural Rubber
Styrol-
Butadiene Rubber
Compounds
|
Silicone Rubber
|
Ethylen-
Propylene
Rubber
Compounds
|
Ethylene-
Vinylacetate
Copolymere
Compounds
|
Poly-
Chloroprene
Compounds
|
Chloro-
Sulfonated
Polyethylene
Compounds
|
|
Density g/cm3
|
1.5-1.7
|
1.2-1.3
|
1.3-1.55
|
1.3-1.5
|
1.4-1.65
|
1.3-1.6
|
|
Breakdown Voltage KV/mm (20oC)
|
20
|
20
|
20
|
30
|
20
|
25
|
|
Specific Volume Resistivity Ω cm (20oC)
|
1012-1015
|
1015
|
1014
|
1012
|
1010
|
1012
|
|
Dielectric Constant 50 Hz (20oC)
|
3-5
|
3-4
|
3-3.8
|
5-6.5
|
6-8.5
|
6-9
|
|
Dielectric Loss Factor (tan δ)
|
1.9 x 10-2
|
6x 10-3
|
3.4 x 10-3
|
2 x 10-2
|
5 x 10-2
|
2.8 x 10-2
|
|
Working
Temperature
|
Permanent oC
|
-65 +60
|
-60 +180
|
-30 +90
|
-30 +125
|
-40 +100
|
-30 +80
|
|
Short Time oC
|
+120
|
+260
|
+160
|
+200
|
+140
|
+140
|
|
Melt Temperature +oC
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
+160
|
|
Flame Resistance
|
Flammable
|
High Flash Point
|
Flammable
|
Flammable
|
Self
Extinguishing
|
Self
Extinguishing
|
|
Oxygen Index LOI (% O2)
|
≤22
|
25-35
|
≤22
|
≤22
|
30-35
|
30-35
|
|
Heating Value H0 MJ.kg-1
|
21-25
|
17-19
|
21-25
|
19-23
|
14-19
|
19-23
|
|
Thermal Conductivity W.K-1.m-1
|
-
|
0.22
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Corrosive Gases In Case Of Fire
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
Hydrogen Chloride
|
Hydrogen Chloride
|
|
Radiation Resistance max Mrad
|
100
|
50
|
200
|
100
|
50
|
50
|
|
Tensile Strength N/mm2
|
5-10
|
5-10
|
5-10
|
8-12
|
10-20
|
10-20
|
|
Elongation At Break %
|
300-600
|
300-600
|
200-400
|
250-350
|
400-700
|
350-600
|
|
Shore Hardness
|
60-70 (A)
|
40-80 (A)
|
65-85 (A)
|
70-80 (A)
|
55-70 (A)
|
60-70 (A)
|
|
Abrasion Resistance
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
|
Water Absorption %
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.5
|
|
Halogen Free
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
|
Weather Resistance
|
Moderate
|
Good
|
Very Good
|
Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
|
Cold Resistance
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Good
|
Good
|
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
High Temperature Materials
|
10Y
|
7Y
|
6Y
|
5YX
|
5Y
|
|
PVDF
|
ETFE
|
FEP
|
PFA
|
PTFE
|
|
Polyvinylidene
Fluoride
Kynar/Dyflor
|
Ethylene-
Tetrafluorethylene
|
Fluorine Ethylene
Propylene
|
Perfluoral-
Koxypolymeric
|
Poly-
Tetrafluorethylene
|
|
Density g/cm3
|
1.7-1.9
|
1.6-1.8
|
2.0-2.3
|
2.0-2.3
|
2.0-2.3
|
|
Breakdown Voltage KV/mm (20oC)
|
25
|
36
|
25
|
25
|
20
|
|
Specific Volume Resistivity Ω cm (20oC)
|
1014
|
1016
|
1018
|
1018
|
1018
|
|
Dielectric Constant 50 Hz (20oC)
|
9-7
|
2.6
|
2.1
|
2.1
|
2.1
|
|
Dielectric Loss Factor (tan δ)
|
1.4 x 10-2
|
8 x 10-4
|
3 x 10-4
|
3 x 10-4
|
3 x 10-4
|
|
Working
Temperature
|
Permanent oC
|
-40 +135
|
-100 +150
|
-100 +205
|
-190 +260
|
-190 +260
|
|
Short Time oC
|
+160
|
+180
|
+230
|
+280
|
+300
|
|
Melt Temperature +oC
|
>170
|
>265
|
>225
|
>290
|
>325
|
|
Flame Resistance
|
Self
Extinguishing
|
Self
Extinguishing
|
Self
Extinguishing
|
Self
Extinguishing
|
Self
Extinguishing
|
|
Oxygen Index LOI (% O2)
|
40-45
|
30-35
|
>95
|
>95
|
>95
|
|
Heating Value H0 MJ.kg-1
|
15
|
14
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
|
Thermal Conductivity W.K-1.m-1
|
0.17
|
0.24
|
0.26
|
0.21
|
0.26
|
|
Corrosive Gases In Case Of Fire
|
Hydrofluoric
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Radiation Resistance max Mrad
|
10
|
10
|
1
|
0.1
|
0.1
|
|
Tensile Strength N/mm2
|
50-80
|
40-50
|
15-25
|
25-30
|
80
|
|
Elongation At Break %
|
150
|
150
|
250
|
250
|
50
|
|
Shore Hardness
|
75-80 (D)
|
70-75 (D)
|
55-60 (D)
|
55-60 (D)
|
55-60 (D)
|
|
Abrasion Resistance
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
|
Water Absorption %
|
0.01
|
0.02
|
0.01
|
0.01
|
0.01
|
|
Halogen Free
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
No
|
|
Weather Resistance
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
|
Cold Resistance
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Very Good
|
Halogen Free Compounds
|
H
|
HX
|
|
Not Cross Linked
|
Cross Linked
|
|
Halogen Free
Polymer Compounds
|
Halogen Free
Polymer Compounds
|
|
Density g/cm3
|
1.4-1.6
|
1.4-1.6
|
|
Breakdown Voltage KV/mm (20oC)
|
25
|
25
|
|
Specific Volume Resistivity Ω cm (20oC)
|
1012-1014
|
1013-1014
|
|
Dielectric Constant 50 Hz (20oC)
|
3.4-5
|
3.4-5
|
|
Dielectric Loss Factor (tan δ)
|
~10-3
|
10-2-10-3
|
|
Working
Temperature
|
Permanent oC
|
-30 +70
|
-30 +90
|
|
Short Time oC
|
+100
|
+150
|
|
Melt Temperature +oC
|
>130
|
-
|
|
Flame Resistance
|
Self Extinguishing
|
Self Extinguishing
|
|
Oxygen Index LOI (% O2)
|
≤40
|
≤40
|
|
Heating Value H0 MJ.kg-1
|
17-22
|
16-25
|
|
Thermal Conductivity W.K-1.m-1
|
0.17
|
0.20
|
|
Corrosive Gases In Case Of Fire
|
No
|
No
|
|
Radiation Resistance max Mrad
|
100
|
200
|
|
Tensile Strength N/mm2
|
8-13
|
8-13
|
|
Elongation At Break %
|
150-250
|
150-250
|
|
Shore Hardness
|
65-95 (A)
|
65-95 (A)
|
|
Abrasion Resistance
|
Medium
|
Medium
|
|
Water Absorption %
|
0.2-1.5
|
0.2-1.5
|
|
Halogen Free
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Weather Resistance
|
Medium in Black:
Good
|
Medium in Black:
Good
|
|
Cold Resistance
|
Average
|
Average
|
See Also
Thermoplastic and Thermosetting - myElectrical post comparing these types of insulation