(Plasticstoday) -- Based on lightweight olefin-based elastomers, a new line of resins comes with four grades targeting non-polyvinyl chloride- (PVC) based and halogen-free wire jacketing and insulation. Dow Chemical's Wire & Cable business unit claims its Sustain line is also the first to meet key sector requirements, UL 62, JCS4509, and HD21.14, on a commercial scale. Sample quantities of the four grades are available for producers of wires, cables, and cord sets for use in personal electronics and appliances.
Dow noted that Sustain exhibits good chemical resistivity, low corrosive off gassing during fires, and flexibility that eases handling during manufacturing, while contributing to the overall look and feel of the end product.
Dow is competing in this space with SABIC Innovative Plastics and its flexible Noryl, a modified polyphenylene oxide (PPO). Earlier this year, the company announced that Chiangyu Electric, a Chinese wire and cable manufacturer, was switching to flexible Noryl resin for wire cables into high-end direct current charger and data cables.