On June 18, 2020, PolyOne launched a new special polymer grade with higher chemical resistance and optical cable (OFC) production efficiency. The processing speed of these new ECCOH™ grades is up to 1000m per minute, and the melting point is much lower than PBT (traditional OFC sheath material), which can speed up the processing speed and reduce energy consumption in the manufacturing process. In addition, they maintain performance while reducing wall thickness and are easy to color.
These two grades are mainly used for gel-filled bulk tubes, micro-modules and tightly buffered products. These materials are suitable for both dry and humid environments, have excellent chemical and UV resistance, and are compatible with many filler compounds and gels used to protect optical fibers.
As global demand for Internet connectivity and data transmission capabilities continues to grow, optical cables are rapidly replacing traditional copper communications cables. For example, Mordor Intelligence predicts that by 2025, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the OFC market will reach 12.5%. This growth will in turn drive the demand for high-performance wire and cable materials.
The new ECCOH™ LSFOH 6153 UV and 6154 UV extend PolyOne’s low-smoke, halogen-free product line. The product line focuses on products that pay special attention to smoke elimination, including communications and data cables.
Holger Kronimus, general manager of special engineering materials at PolyOne Corporation, said: "As the fiber optic cable market continues to grow, we are committed to providing innovative material solutions to help customers meet challenges. These new materials have improved processability and reduced energy. Consumption and having a low minimum wall thickness are ideal replacements for PBT in gel-filled stranded loose tube fiber applications."