Oil Resistant Highly Flexible PUR Polyurethane Cable

PUR sheathed cable for tooling machinery, production lines, and flexible applications with free movement and low tensile load.

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Oil Resistant Highly Flexible PUR Polyurethane Cable

PUR sheathed cable for tooling machinery, production lines, and flexible applications with free movement and low tensile load.

Inquire Now Next Product

Product Description

What is PUR/Polyurethane Cable ?

Polyurethane cable, also known as PUR cable, PU and TPU, is a thermoplastic material used in wire and cable construction. Polyurethane is often used as a sheathing material for harsh environments because of its excellent mechanical properties and chemical resistance. It is not usually used for insulation because of its poor electrical properties. Polyurethane is UV resistant, water resistant and has a wide temperature range, making it a popular choice for outdoor applications. Polyurethane is a highly flexible compound and is often used as a sheathing material in continuous bending applications. PUR is used as a sheathing material for stretch cords because of its excellent memory qualities. A wide range of polyurethane compounds are available, many of which are halogen free. A disadvantage of polyurethane is that it is highly flammable. However, flame-retardant versions are available.

Common types of polyurethane wire or cable

Military
Communications industry
Aerospace industry
Oil and gas industry

Mechanical characteristics of PUR cables

The insulation of cables is not normally subjected to high mechanical stress. On the other hand, sheathing is used extensively. This is particularly true for flexible control and connection cables that are often pulled over sharp corners and rough surfaces. This can lead to aggravated cuts when stretching the cable during flexible use. Compressive stresses caused by the crushing and impact of tools and machines can also occur.
The most important mechanical properties of PUR cables are
high tensile strength
high resistance to tearing
Notch resistance
resistance to abrasion
resistance to alternate bending
Impact resistance
Flexibility at low temperatures
Chemical properties of PUR cables
Chemical resistance depends on many factors such as chemical type, reaction time, temperature, volume, concentration and, of course, the type of polyurethane used. PUR offers better chemical resistance than many other materials such as rubber or PVC.

The outstanding chemical properties of PUR cables are

good resistance to mineral oils
good resistance to non-alcoholic petrol
good resistance during storage in water
Good resistance to a wide range of solvents
Polyurethanes on polyester substrates are at risk of microbial decomposition when exposed to moisture and warmth for long periods of time. polyether-based polyurethanes used by SAB are resistant to microbial decomposition. Ether-based polyurethanes and ester-based polyurethanes can be distinguished by their saponification value (VZ).
Ether polyurethanes (corrosion resistant) - VZ ≤ 200
Ester polyurethanes (not resistant to corrosion) - VZ ≥ 350
After prolonged exposure to warm water or tropical climates, polyester-based polyurethanes undergo a chemical reaction. The result is a weakening of the mechanical strength. Polyether-based SAB polyurethanes are relatively more resistant to hydrolysis.

Ether-based polyurethanes are weather and ozone resistant in all climatic conditions. Discolouration may occur in sunlight, but this does not affect performance.

PUR cable applications

Machine tools
Flow lines and assembly lines
Production lines
Conveyor systems
Machine and plant construction
Automotive industry
Steel and chemical industry
Industrial paint shops
Mining industry
Water treatment plants etc.

PUR sheathed cable for tooling machinery, production lines, and flexible applications with free movement and low tensile load. Suitable for dry, ambient and wet environments. They are resistant to oil, many chemicals, abrasion, and mechanical stress. These cables can be used in outdoor applications in fixed installations.

What is a PUR cable?

Any cable that uses PUR or polyurethane (sometimes abbreviated as PU) is essentially a PUR cable.
PUR is a thermoplastic polymer, which means that it is highly heat resistant and can be recycled.
Its properties are comparable to those of non-recyclable thermoset rubber.
Polyurethane is also used as a thermosetting polymer.
The material is used in countless products, from kitchen sponges to car gaskets.
It is also part of synthetic fibres, adhesives, tyres, foams and hard plastics.
In wiring, it is used for sheathing.
It is not ideal for insulation, so when we talk about PUR cables, we are talking about cables with a PUR sheath.
PUR cables come in many different forms, sizes and constructions.
Many international standards specify this material as the sheath material depending on the application of the cable.
PUR cable is therefore a very broad term, but it helps to understand the characteristics and qualities of the cable, as these are common in different types of cable.
PUR cables are usually high performance cables and therefore most cables that require a robust sheath use PUR.

What are the benefits of PUR cables?

It is clear that PUR can offer many benefits based on its properties, which is why it is so popular in cable sheathing.
Tough material: the first line of defence for any cable is its outer sheath. It must be tough, especially if the cable is subjected to harsh conditions such as high temperatures, oil or water. PUR is a robust material with very high abrasion resistance. In other words, it will not tear and is very difficult to cut.
Environmental protection: Cables are mostly at risk of environmental damage. Wind, rain, fire and sunlight can damage cables. So this is where the sheath protects the insulation and the core from these elements. And PUR is a great material for this. It can withstand oil, chemicals, water and UV light. This makes it also suitable for offshore and outdoor use, where these environmental threats are normally present.
Halogen-free: PUR cables are mostly halogen-free, which makes them a safe choice. Many industries and governments require the use of halogen-free cables, which means that no component of the cable can contain halogens in its composition. This is because when these elements burn, they produce highly toxic gases, which can be further exacerbated in the event of a fire.
Reliability: for most consumers this comes down to the reliability of the cable and PUR is a reliable material. It offers adequate protection, which is its main job as a sheathing material. Regardless of the type or standard of cable, PUR offers many protective properties to ensure that the cable stands the test of time.
Flame retardant: PUR is flame retardant or fire retardant, which is a safety feature. These cables will not start or spread a fire. However, they may not be able to maintain the integrity of the insulation or core for long periods of time in a fire. Polyurethane usually has a lower melting point than some other thermoplastics.

What is the difference between PUR cables and PVC cables?

Polyvinyl chloride or PVC is another important material used for cable insulation and sheathing.
It is similar to PUR in some respects, but very different in others.
Polyurethane cables
One obvious difference between PUR and PVC is that PVC is often used for insulation in addition to the outer sheathing of low-voltage cables.
PUR is not suitable for insulation and can therefore only be used as a sheathing material.
PVC cables have excellent chemical resistance, but are not very resistant to oil.
They can withstand exposure to and washout of the various chemicals used in the food industry.
However, they are not as resistant to mineral oils and emulsifiers as PUR, which makes PUR more suitable for applications such as tool making and the automotive industry.
In terms of mechanical stress, PUR is stronger than PVC.
That said, PVC does offer sufficient abrasion and impact resistance.
Photovoltaic cables can also easily operate at high temperatures, but they become stiff and inflexible at very low temperatures.
PUR cables, on the other hand, remain flexible even below zero degrees.
PVC cables with an IP69 rating are waterproof.
In general, all PVC cables are waterproof to some extent, much like PUR.
With PVC, the properties depend on many factors such as temperature, exposure time, frequency of exposure, impact strength, etc.
It varies by quality, size and type, so not all PVC cables are the same.
It is also important to note that PVC contains chlorine, which is a halogen.
PUR cables do not contain halogens, which is a major advantage over PVC, as halogens can be dangerous in a fire.
In some industries, PVC cables may be banned because of this property.