Self-Regulating and non-Flammable Polymer Composite Materials for Cable Products

Abstract

Polymer composite materials (PCM) for cable products with the effect of self-regulation, which consist of conductive metal cores, a heating polymer matrix (PM), an insulating material (IM) and a shell (OB), have been developed and studied. For the manufacture of PM, IM and OB, polyethylene (PE) of the PE2NT22-12 brand (PJSC Kazanorgsintez), as well as a copolymer of vinylidene and tetrafluoroethylene of the F-2M brand (PVDF) were used. Semi-conductive properties of PCM were created by using technical carbon (TU) produced by LLC «Carbon» (Russia) as a filler, as well as by adding carbon nanotubes (CNTs) «Taunit-M» produced by Nano-Techcenter LLC (Russia). Electrical resistivity and electrical strength, which are key properties for PM, were measured. It has been shown that the optimal composition for PCM is 22 % TU, 1–2 % CNT. The heat resistance, fire resistance, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the developed PCM were also measured. PVDF was used to create a PCM with increased heat resistance. To increase fire resistance, flame retardants were introduced into the PCM, boron nitride was used to improve the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of PVDF.