Noryl gains another wire insulation crossover from PVC

Selling points, according to Sabic IP, include the fact that Noryl is nonhalogenated, helping customers meet global environmental requirements that increasingly target that chemical. Sabic IP also reports that Noryl outperforms PVC in wear resistance. Using the JASO-D-608-92 abrasion test, Nissei Eco found that Noryl has higher abrasion resistance than vinyl. Sabic IP says Noryl's high-temperature performance, which satisfies UL105C, does not require additional secondary steps like cross linking through electron beam radiation, a process required for flame-retardant polyethylene (PE). Nissei Eco says that ECO-01 tubing for wire harnesses has already been specified by several Japanese home appliance manufacturers. The company is working to gain specifications for the product around the globe.

Last October, Sabic Innovative Plastics announced that Flexible Noryl was being used by Hong Kong-based wire and cable OEM LTK Industries in appliance wiring material (AWM) applications for consumer electronics. In that case, the advanced FR resin satisfied the UL VW-1 flame test. LTK had also swapped PVC for Noryl in the application, and it helped it achieve RoHS (reduction of hazardous substances) compliance. Sabic has promoted Noryl as not only a replacement for PVC in wiring, but also as a superior choice to alternative choices like thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and PE, saying it has a good balance of mechanical properties, flexibility, and color retention. It can also be recycled in the original extrusion manufacturing process and retain a high level of mechanical performance. Sabic says Noryl has achieved the UL 80dc rating for VW-1 flame retardance and is available in Shore A hardnesses from 80-89, with the company adding that the material can be customized for different levels of flexibility.