During the manufacturing process, which factors can affect the performance of the insulation layer?

Category: Industry News

Release time: 2026-01-16

Summary: The factors affecting the performance of wire and cable insulation layers can be broadly categorized into four major groups: raw material quality, control of process parameters, production environment conditions, and subsequent processing and storage. Each of these factors directly influences key performance indicators such as insulation strength, weather resistance, and mechanical toughness of the insulation layer. Raw Material Quality The purity and formulation of insulation materials are fundamental. Take PVC, PE, and XLPE as examples: If impurities, moisture, or low-quality recycled materials are mixed into these materials, the insulation resistance will decrease, increasing the risk of partial discharge. Improper proportions of additives such as stabilizers and antioxidants can lead to premature aging and cracking of the insulation layer. Additionally, the melt flow index of the material must match the extrusion process; otherwise, uniformity of the coating will be compromised. Extrusion Process Parameters If the extrusion temperature is too high, the material may decompose and carbonize, disrupting its molecular structure and reducing its insulation performance. Conversely, if the temperature is too low, plasticization will be inadequate, leading to the formation of bubbles and pinholes within the insulation layer. The matching between the drawing speed and the extrusion speed is also crucial—too large a difference in speed can cause the insulation layer to stretch and thin out or accumulate and thicken, thereby compromising its compactness. Furthermore, deviations in die concentricity can result in eccentricity of the insulation layer, causing local thickness deficiencies and lowering the voltage withstand rating. Production Environment The temperature, humidity, and cleanliness of the workshop have a significant impact. When humidity exceeds the standard level, the material easily absorbs moisture, forming vapor bubbles inside the insulation layer after extrusion. Excessive dust can contaminate the insulation layer, creating defect impurities. Moreover, fluctuations in ambient temperature can affect the precision of temperature control in the extruder, indirectly causing instability in process parameters. Subsequent Processing and Storage During cable stranding, excessive twisting tension can compress and deform the insulation layer, causing damage. If the high temperatures during jacket extrusion are transferred to the insulation layer, it may trigger secondary aging. Storing finished products in environments that are humid, hot, or exposed to chemical corrosion will accelerate the aging and degradation of the insulation layer, shortening its service life.

The factors affecting the performance of wire and cable insulation layers can be broadly categorized into four main groups: raw material quality, process parameter control, production environment conditions, and subsequent processing and storage. Each of these factors directly influences key performance indicators of the insulation layer, such as insulation strength, weather resistance, and mechanical toughness.
Raw material quality
The purity and formulation of insulating materials are fundamental. Take PVC, PE, and XLPE as examples: If impurities, moisture, or low-quality recycled materials are mixed into these materials, the insulation resistance will be reduced, increasing the risk of partial discharge. Improper proportions of additives such as stabilizers and antioxidants can lead to premature aging and cracking of the insulation layer. Meanwhile, the melt flow index of the material must be compatible with the extrusion process; otherwise, it will affect the uniformity of the coating.
Extrusion process parameters
If the extrusion temperature is too high, the material may decompose and carbonize, disrupting its molecular structure and reducing its insulation performance. Conversely, if the temperature is too low, plasticization will be inadequate, making it easy for bubbles and pinholes to form within the insulation layer. The match between the drawing speed and the extrusion speed is also crucial: a significant discrepancy between these two speeds can easily lead to either stretching and thinning of the insulation layer or excessive buildup and thickening, thereby compromising the insulation layer's compactness. Furthermore, deviations in die concentricity can cause eccentricity in the insulation layer, resulting in insufficient local thickness and lowering the insulation’s voltage withstand capability.
Production environment
The temperature, humidity, and cleanliness of the workshop have a significant impact. When humidity exceeds the standard, materials tend to absorb moisture, leading to the formation of vapor bubbles inside the insulation layer after extrusion. Excessive dust can contaminate the insulation layer, resulting in impurity defects. Meanwhile, fluctuations in ambient temperature can affect the precision of the extruder’s temperature control, indirectly causing instability in process parameters.
Subsequent Processing and Storage
Excessive stranding tension during cable laying can compress the insulation layer, causing deformation and damage. If the high temperatures generated during jacket extrusion are transmitted to the insulation layer, they may trigger secondary aging. A humid, high-temperature, or chemically corrosive storage environment for finished products can accelerate the aging and degradation of the insulation layer, thereby shortening its service life.

Keywords: During the manufacturing process, which factors can affect the performance of the insulation layer?

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