Nexans PUR-Medoxprotect-S sheath makes cables more secure against fire risks – first use in sensor cabling

New cable sheath material presented at the SPS/IPC/DRIVES 2008 trade fair, 25 November to 27 November, Exhibition Centre Nuremberg, Hall 5, Stand 5-324

Nexans is presenting a new cable sheathing material, PUR-Medoxprotect-S, that is not only less likely to catch fire than existing compounds, but is also self-extinguishing. Furthermore, thanks to the absence of halogens, a lower density of smoke is developed. This improved fire behaviour enables the new material to pass the cable flame test, and it will soon be used for the first time in sensor cabling.

Safety in the event of fire is a key property of a cable, in addition to its electrical characteristics and protection against mechanical and chemical influences. While the effect of fire on conventional sheath materials is to cause the quick release of high amounts of energy and smoke, PUR-Medoxprotect-S burns more slowly: if it catches fire, it produces a relatively low amount of smoke and heat in the first three minutes. As a result, escape routes remain more clearly visible during this important period. Other properties of the sheath include its insulating effect, gliding quality, bending elasticity and its resistance to fats, oils and water. These properties are similar to those of the current materials, making it possible to switch to the safer compound without detriment to everyday operations.

PUR-Medoxprotect-S was developed in Nexans’ Nuremberg plant which specialises in cabling for use in industrial automation, rail transport and cars. The material blend was researched, manufactured and tested in Nexans’ in-house research centre in Nuremberg. A programme of material tests has provided detailed information about its resistance to chemicals, extreme temperatures and severe long-term mechanical stresses, such as with drag chains. On successful completion of these materials tests as well as fire tests, the sheath mixture is now entering series production.

A short video which provides more information on PUR-Medoxprotect-S is available on-line at www.nexans.de.

Pictures:

Picture NXS_PUR_Medoxprotect-S.jpg:
With the new PUR-Medoxprotect-S sheath compound, Nexans is presenting a new sheath material which is both less susceptible to fire and self-extinguishing.

Graphic NXS_Rauchentwicklung_PUR-Medoxprotect-S.jpg:
While normal sheath materials quickly release high levels of energy and smoke in the event of a fire (values shown in blue in the graph), PUR-Medoxprotect-S from Nexans burns slowly. As a result, considerably less heat and smoke develops in the first few minutes. The new sheath material is to be used for the first time in sensor cabling.

Further Information / Press contact:

Nexans Deutschland GmbH
Jutta van Bühl
Bonnenbroicher Straße 2-14
41238 Mönchengladbach (Germany)
Phone: +49 (0)2166 27-2495
Fax: +49 (0)2166 27-2497
Internet: www.nexans.de

Press’n’Relations II GmbH
Ralf Dunker
Guntherstraße 19
80639 München (Germany)
Phone: +49 (0)89 17999275
Fax: +49 (0)89 17999289

About Nexans Deutschland
Nexans Germany is one of the leading cable manufacturers in Europe. The company is offering an extensive range of high performance cables, systems, and components for the telecommunications and energy sectors, rounded off by superconducting materials and components, Cryoflex transfer systems and special machinery for the cable industry. Producing at manufacturing plants with 7.400 employees in Germany and abroad, the sales in 2007 amounts to approx. 958 Mio Euro. The full integration into the Nexans Group Nexans Germany also benefits from excellent opportunities to use the available synergies in all corporate fields, which not only applies to worldwide projects but also to research and development, the exchange of know how, and to other areas. More information on www.nexans.de