New polyethylene resins to address expanding cable performance requirements

With increasing demand for power cables that reduce voltage loss and communication cables that improve data transfer, LyondellBasell is introducing several new low and high density polyethylene grades that outperform industry standards used in cable applications. Produced using LyondellBasell’s Hostalen ACP technology, the new PetrotheneKR52828E grade is a multimodal high density polyethylene (HDPE) used in medium voltage jacketing for outdoor power cables. ”Jacketing applications require resins with good melt strength along with excellent physical properties – including high tensile strength and elongation, as well as good abrasion resistance,” said Hans Videler, wire & cable business manager for LyondellBasell. “Customer trials show that Petrothene KR52828E provides superior processability versus standard HDPE materials, which is of key importance when applying jacketing to cables. In addition, HDPE resins produced with LyondellBasell’s ACP technology have demonstrated improved physical properties in numerous long term outdoor applications, including pressure pipe and Wire & Cable.” The new Lupolen GX 4087 is a low density polyethylene (LDPE) resin under development for use in medium voltage cables that distribute electrical power from generating plants and substations to transformers. A key requirement is dielectric strength, which is the maximum voltage a material can withstand without failure of insulation properties. Based on IEC 60243 standard tests, the grade provide excellent insulation performance when compared with other competitive LDPE grades. Increased cell phone use or overall increased wireless communication creates strong demand for highly engineered coaxial cables used in high frequency transmission lines. An important polymer requirement is the dissipation factor, which is a measure of signal loss. LyondellBasell’s Alathon and Petrothene resins are used by customers in foamed cable insulation applications to reduce dissipation. As the most widely used LDPE resin for high-frequency insulated coaxial cables, Petrothene NA217080 offers high melt strength, optimum melt elasticity and good electrical properties. Alathon M5370WC HDPE is used by customers in blends with Petrothene NA217080 to achieve a good balance of electrical, physical and flow properties. “With the launch of our new Alathon M5370RF grade, producers have the potential to achieve even further reductions in signal transmission loss,” said Videler. “The grade has the potential to become the industry’s benchmark in terms of the polymer dissipation factor.”