What Plastics Can Be Used for Wire Insulation and Cable Jacketing ?

What Plastics Can Be Used for Wire Insulation and Cable Jacketing ? Wire insulation and cable jacketing are essential in electrical applications, meaning that the materials used for them are crucial in ensuring the safety, performance, and durability of cables. So, what plastics can be used as insulation and jacketing materials for wires and cables?   Understanding Wire Insulation and Cable Jacketing   Definition of Wire Insulation To make good use of wire insulation, we need to know what it is. Wire insulation is a layer of non-conductive material that surrounds a conductor. It effectively prevents leakage and protects the conductor from external environmental factors, avoiding accidents such as leakage, short circuit, and electric shock caused by contact between the internal conductor and the outside world. Definition of Cable Jacketing Cable jacketing is a protective layer that wraps around multiple insulated wires or cables. They are used to protect internal wires from external environmental damage, such as physical damage, moisture, chemicals, and UV radiation. Wire insulation primarily targets individual wires, while cable jacketing can protect multiple wires or cables   What Materials Are Used for Wire Insulation?   Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) PVC has excellent electrical properties, good flexibility, and can be used in humid environments, making it one of the most commonly used materials for wire insulation. The price of PVC is very advantageous, which is also an important reason for its widespread use.     Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE)   XLPE itself is not a plastic, but the PE rubber compound is irradiated after extrusion to cross-link its chemical molecules, making it more temperature-resistant after aging. XLPE has extremely high heat resistance. It can withstand higher temperatures. Cables insulated with XLPE can work in an environment of 90°C for a long time. More famously, it can withstand instantaneous short-circuit temperatures...