Development of thin‐walled halogen‐free cable insulation and halogen‐free fire‐resistant low‐smoke cable‐sheathing compounds based on polyolefin elastomer and ethylene vinyl acetate blends

Abstract There is a growing interest in the use of polyolefins and their copolymer blends in cable industries. The present investigation deals with the development of thin‐walled halogen‐free cable insulation and thin‐walled halogen‐free fire‐resistant low‐smoke cable sheathing compounds based on polyolefin elastomer (Engage®) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blends. Blends of Engage (an ethylene octene copolymer) and EVA, varying in proportions, are prepared on a two‐roll mixing mill at an elevated temperature. Physicomechanical, electrical, and the most important flame‐retardant properties of the dicumyl peroxide/triallyl cyanurate cured blends have been basically studied. Properly compounded Engage‐EVA blends are found to be excellent materials in cable industry for insulation as well as for sheathing compounds. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007