MATERIALS: Vinyl Elastomers for Wind-Turbine Cable Jacketing

 WEB EXCLUSIVE: Two high-performance vinyl jacketing compounds from Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I., are said to withstand harsh cold, exposure to lubricants, and other challenging conditions encountered by control and power cables within the nacelles high atop wind-turbine towers. Teknor’s Vinyl Div. took different approaches to these two compounds:

•Flexalloy 9609-80 is an 80 Shore A PVC elastomer based on a high-molecular-weight PVC resin. It reportedly provides superior long-term UV resistance and has a brittle point of -60 C.

•Apex N-56001 is a 76 Shore A blend of PVC and nitrile rubber said to provides superior long-term, low-temperature flexibility and oil resistance. It has a brittle point of -54 C.