POLYETHYLENE - A thermoplastic material, polymerized ethylene. They are basically pure hydrocarbon resins, often with small amounts of other additives to impart needed properties. All members of the polyethylene family are excellent dielectrics. Electrically they are far superior to any other extrudable dielectric in use today. Outstanding electrical properties include high insulation resistance, high dielectric strength, low dielectric constant, low dielectric loss at all frequencies, excellent resistance to cold flow, and good abrasion resistance. One or more members of the polyethylene family also have the following properties: Resistance to sunlight, weather, chemicals, and flame. Polyethylene is widely used for insulation on telephone, signal and control cables, high frequency electronic cables, high voltage and low voltage power cables, line wire, neutral supported secondary and service drop cables. They are suitable for direct earth burial. Temperature ratings vary with type and application from 75° C up. Abbreviation PE, POL, and POLY.
POLYIMIDE - A relatively high temperature plastic developed for use as a dielectric or jacketing material, Kapton®. Usually laminated to FEP and used as heat sealable tape. It does not burn and has high abrasion resistance. Kapton® is a trademark of the DuPont de Nemours Co.
POLYMER - A material of high molecular weight formed by the chemical union on monomers.
POLYOLEFIN - A family of thermoplastics based upon the unsaturated hydrocarbons known as olefins. When combined with butylene or styrene polymers, they form compounds such as polyethylene and polypropylene.
POLYPARAPHENYLENE TEREPHTHALAMIDE - This synthetic has high tensile strength at low weight, low elongation to break, high modulus (structural rigidity), low electrical conductivity, high chemical resistance, low thermal shrinkage, high toughness (work-to-break), excellent dimensional stability, high cut resistance, flame-resistant, and self-extinguishing properties. Trade name KEVLAR ®. KEVLAR ® is a trademark of the DuPont de Nemours Co.
POLYPROPYLENE - A thermoplastic polymer of propylene with good electrical characteristics, high tensile strength, and resistance to heat.
POLYSTYRENE - A rigid transparent thermoplastic of good physical and electrical insulating properties used especially in molded products, foams, and sheet materials. Abbreviation PS.
POLYSULFONE - A polymer highly resistant to mineral, acid, alkali, and salt conditions. Good dielectric properties up to 350° F.
POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE - This is modified ETFE, a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene. This is the most thermally stable and chemically resistant carbonaceous insulating compound. It is unaffected by sunlight, moisture, and practically all chemicals. Temperature range is -90° C to 250° C and electrical properties are very constant over the temperature range and a wide range of frequencies. This insulation may be applied by extrusion, taping, dip-coating, and in cases where other material is used, by dispersion coating. Both conventional and ribbon type wires and cables are made as well as magnet wire. This insulation material is used as dielectric, insulation, and extruded jackets. Abbreviation is PTFE. Most common trade name is Teflon®. Teflon® is a trademark of the DuPont de Nemours Co.
POLYURETHANE - Enamel that has excellent moisture resistance, easily soldered, also has excellent winding properties as a magnet wire insulation. Abbreviation PU.
POLYVINYLCHLORIDE - A family of insulating compounds whose basic ingredient is either polyvinylchloride or its copolymer with vinyl acetate, in combination with appropriate plasticizers, stabilizers, fillers, and pigments. Like many other plastic materials, these insulations can be compounded to provide a wide variety of properties for various applications. Among the properties obtained are: Resistance to moisture, cold, heat, flame, oils, solvents, chemicals, and ozone. Electrical properties are adequate for low voltage power applications. Temperature ratings up to 105° C are recognized by UL for certain applications. These insulations are widely used for types T and TW building wires, series street lighting cable, machine tool wiring, hook-up and appliance wiring, overhead line wire, control and signal cables, and many others. Known as PVC or Vinyl. Abbreviation PVC.
POLYVINYLIDENE FLUORIDE - VF2 vinylidene fluoride resin is a crystalline, high molecular weight polymer of VF2 having high dielectric strength as well as abrasion resistant characteristics. This thermoplastic resin, a fluorocarbon, is characterized by good mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties. In primary insulation and in jackets for multi-conductor cables, it has a temperature range of -80° F to 300° F. This material can be extruded, applied as a film or solution, or by dispersion coating. This compound offers excellent resistance to abrasion and cut-through. Radiation cross-linking provides improved heat resistance. Abbreviation PVDF. Known as Kynar®. Kynar® is a trademark of the Pennwalt Corporation.
