Material introduction
Polyethylene (PE) optical cable sheath material is an outer protective material designed for optical fiber cables, with excellent mechanical strength, weather resistance and insulation properties. As the first line of defense for cables, it can effectively resist external factors such as moisture, ultraviolet rays, chemical corrosion, etc., ensuring the long-term stability of signal transmission.
**Core performance advantages **
- Environmental stress resistance
- The compressive strength of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheath is above 25MPa, which is suitable for direct burial, overhead and other laying environments.
- Low friction coefficient
- The surface is smooth (friction coefficient ≤ 0.15), which is convenient for cable conduit construction and reduces wear.
- Strong weather resistance
- Adding anti-UV agent, it maintains flexibility in an environment of -60℃~80℃, and the outdoor service life exceeds 20 years.
- Environmental protection and safety
- Compliant with the RoHS directive, low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) flame retardant formula can be customized, and the smoke transmittance is >60% when burning.
Compared with traditional materials
| Features | PE sheath | PVC sheath |
|---|---|---|
| Low temperature resistance | No brittle cracking at -60℃ | Easy to harden at -20℃ |
| Environmental protection | Halogen-free, recyclable | Chlorine-containing, difficult to degrade |
| Lifespan | ＞20 years | 10-15 years |
Typical application scenarios
- Communication optical cable: China Mobile/Telecom backbone network PE sheathed optical cable
- Power cable: Outer layer protection of medium and low voltage cables below 35kV
- Special cables: Submarine cables, flame-retardant cables for mining
Selection suggestions
Choose the sheath type according to the use environment:
- Ordinary grade: HDPE (urban underground pipe network)
- Enhanced grade: MDPE+UV resistance (plateau/coastal areas)
- Flame retardant grade: LSZH (confined spaces such as subways and tunnels)
**Common problems **
Q: How to identify the quality of PE sheathed cables?
A: Observe whether the surface is smooth and free of bubbles. When stretched, the elongation rate is >300% to be qualified.
Q: What is the difference compared with TPU sheath?
A: PE has lower cost and better water resistance; TPU has better elasticity and is suitable for frequent bending scenarios.