Cable insulation
The most advanced area of application for crosslinked polyethylene is in the electrical cable industry. Crosslinking, whilst not interfering with the dielectric properties of polyethylene, introduces resistance to flow and permanent deformation above the softening point. This permits higher conductor operating temperature and reduces the level of short circuit and overload protection required. improved by irradiation (60% gel) by introducing double layer structure to the jacket, in which inner layer is adjacent to polyethylene insulation which is crosslinked more densely than the outer layer. The wire exhibits markedly improved resistance to flame and heat deformation.