What are the benefits of PCP sheathed cables?

Polychloroprene (PCP) was one of the first commercially available synthetic rubbers and is an exceptionally tough and flexible sheathing material with resistance to tears, abrasions, impact, crushing and chipping.

PCP has a broad temperature range and doesn’t become brittle even at temperatures as low as -40°C nor degrade at temperatures as high as 120°C. It is also suitable for even higher temperatures for brief or intermittent periods. It has very good resistance to swelling and to a wide range of chemicals including both natural oils and aliphatic hydrocarbons, making it particularly useful as a sheathing material for applications such as trailing cables and dredge cables used in mining industry and the oil & gas industries. It is also resistant to a range of solvents, acids and alkalis, mildew, fungus and many other biological agents, making it ideal for use in chemical plants. As a sheathing material it provides the cable with superior weathering resistance and has proven to have excellent ageing properties in permanent outdoor applications.

Whilst PCP doesn’t offer very good insulation properties it can be blended with natural rubber insulation to enhance the toughness. This material also has very good fire resistant properties and doesn’t support combustion.

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