Crosslinked polyethylene service temperature

Matty polymers may be used for produetion of wire and cable. These include polyethylene, crosslinked polyethylene, chlorosnlfonated polyethylene, ethylene-propylene rubber, polyvinylchloride, bntyl robber, styrene bntadiene rubber, silicone rubber, natural robber, polyisoprene robber, polyurethane, nitrile butadiene rubber, polychloroprene, polysulfone, thermoplastie elastomers, polyimide, and polyamides. Selection of polymer(s) depends on projected conditions of service such as temperature, presence of corrosive liquids, surrounding temperature, quality of insulation, etc. 

The rate dependence of fatigue strength demands carefiil consideration of the potential for heat buildup in both the fatigue test and in service. Generally, since the buildup is a function of the viscous component of the material, the materials that tend toward viscous behavior will also display sensitivity to cyclic load frequency. Thus, TPs, particularly the crystalline polymers like polyethylene that are above their glass-transition temperatures, are expected to be more sensitive to the cyclic load rate, and highly crosslinked plastics or glass fiber reinforced TS plastics are much less sensitive to the frequency of load. 

However, their safe working temperature can be raised to meet the demands of both products by crosslinking the polyethylene after the extrusion process has been completed. Although the same techniques are used for water pipes as for the longer established crosslinked cables, application of cable technology to pipes needs changes to satisfy the different service conditions. 

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