Vamac® Ethylene Acrylic Elastomer for Wire and Cable Applications

Background

Halogen-Free and Flame Retardant (HFFR or NHFR) materials are important for applications that require fire safety – Wire & Cable and other molded parts for example, and flooring in the transportation sector.

DuPont™ Vamac® ethylene acrylic elastomer is not inherently resistant to burning. However, when properly compounded, a wire jacket of Vamac® will pass the demanding UL-44 vertical wire flame test, generating very low smoke compared to other flame-resistant materials and provide non-halogen off-gases in fire situations.

DuPont™ Vamac® compounds have proven records in flame retardant applications to provide an excellent characteristic combination of:

• Oil resistance
• Heat resistance
• Good low temperature flexibility
• Non-halogenated

Vamac® DP or Ultra DX are usually preferred for HFFR compounds. They provide more stable compound viscosity and better heat aging properties

Applications

DuPont™ Vamac® compounds offer low smoke and low toxicity cables applications in a vast array of industries, which include

• HEV / EV Battery Cable
• Rolling Stock Cable
• Airplane Cable
• Mining Cable
• Off-Shore Oil Platform Cable
• Marine Cable
• Military Applications (e.g. submarine, fighter plane)

General Properties and Processing

DuPont™ Vamac® compounds possess extraordinary advantages in both properties and processing.

• Flexibility at RT and Low Temperature (75-95 Shore A)
• High Temperature Resistance (Class C, D 125°C - 150°C)
• Resistance to Variety of Fluids (lubricants, diesel, battery acids, engine coolant, salt water and various oils, etc.)
• Good Abrasion Resistance and Electrical Resistivity (>1012 Ohm-cm)
• Ozone and Weather Resistance
• Ease of Processing  (Fast extrusion speed with smooth surface)
• Curing Flexibility (CV or E-Beam)
• Colorful and Applicable to Thin-Wall

And especially, for fire related properties they are:

• Non-halogenated
• Flame Retardant (LOI > 35, UL-94 V-0)
• Low Smoke Generation 
• Low Fire Hazard / Toxic Gas

Vamac® characters in heat and oil resistance

Special grades of Hytrel® thermoplastic polyester elastomer include heat stabilized, flame retardant. Concentrates include black pigments, UV protection additives, heat stabilizers and flame retardants.

Vamac® product portfolio & grades