New PVC Concentrates Yield Vivid Colors in Fireguard Plenum-Cable Compounds at Half the Conventional Loading

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ATLANTA, May 3, 1999: PVC color concentrates formulated especially for use with the widely specified Fireguard line of low-smoke, low-flame plenum compounds enable manufacturers of data and communications cable to obtain full coloration at half the loading needed for conventional concentrates, Teknor Color Company announced today at Interwire. Besides reducing concentrate cost, this coloring efficiency makes possible improved jacket and insulation properties, according to Sheila McCarthy, Market Manager.
Tradenamed PVC Fireguard, the new concentrates provide vivid colors that meet Munsell EIA-359-A standards and can typically be used at levels of 2% in Fireguard vinyl-based compounds, which are produced by affiliate Teknor Apex (which is exhibiting at the same Interwire booth). To achieve equivalent coloration with conventional concentrates, McCarthy said, it would be necessary to use loadings in the 4 to 5% range.

"Loadings this high can compromise the physical and electrical properties of cable insulation and jacketing," McCarthy said, "especially since conventional concentrates are not specifically designed for compatibility with Fireguard compounds. Our new concentrates, on the other hand, are fully consistent and compatible with the products in the Fireguard line."

PVC Fireguard concentrates are available in ten Munsell colors, including Blue, Black, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Slate, Violet, White, and Yellow.

Noting that Teknor Color is the only color concentrate manufacturer having an in-house relationship with a major supplier of wire and cable compounds, McCarthy said the wire and cable experts at her company worked closely with their Teknor Apex counterparts to develop PVC Fireguard concentrates.

"Fireguard products are complex proprietary formulations incorporating plasticizers, heat stabilizers, and other ingredients. These include flame retardants and smoke suppressants that provide outstanding fire-related performance but also raise the level of opacity. PVC Fireguard concentrates are comprised of special carrier resins, pigments, and other additives that not only are fully compatible with Fireguard compounds but also exhibit greater coloring efficiency than conventional concentrates. This is the key to eliminating the need for higher-than-conventional concentrate loadings."

Designed for low smoke and low flame propagation in insulation and jacketing for all types of plenum cable, Fireguard compounds meet and exceed all applicable performance tests pertaining to UL Subjects 13, 1424, and 444, according to Donald G. Ouellette, Wire and Cable Industry Manager for Teknor Apex. In addition to the vinyl-based formulations for which Teknor Color has developed the new PVC Fireguard concentrates, the Fireguard line of compounds now also includes fully halogen-free LSZH (Low-Smoke / Zero-Halogen) compounds, which are being introduced by Teknor Apex at the Interwire show.