ETFE / Ethylene Tetrafluroroethylene

Are you in the aerospace or nuclear industry and wondering what cable or wire to go for? Have you thought of the ETFE otherwise known as the Ethylene tetrafluroroethylene? If not then this article is just for you. We all agree that insulators do a great job when it comes to cables and wires. They not only resist electrical leakage but also prevent the current of the wire from getting into contact with any other conductor as well as protect the cable from environmental threats that may include water and high degrees of heat. ETFE is a kind of fluoro-polymer insulation. The fluorine based plastic can be described as a better version of PTFE in terms of strength and toughness. 

What you are going to love about EFTE cables and wires is their great resistance to heat and harsh weather conditions, chemical inertness and their wide range use in various applications. When talking of resistance to heat, EFTE cables and wires can withstand up to 1500 C. the wires have excellent flexibility as well as great abrasion resistance.

Nassau is well known to have the best ETFE wires and cables in the market. Depending on your need you could go for the single insulation option or the dual insulation. The option for dual layers provides layers that have contrasting colors to enable the users have a clear indication of abrasion or even mechanical damage that may occur in the process of installation or during service. Insulation by EFTE helps in resisting high ph present in fuels, cleaning liquids and any other chemicals.

Benefits of EFTE 
 1.It’s a very strong fluoro- polymer with a tensile strength of 6100 psi (42 MPa) 
 2.It also has great resistance to weather. This was determined when a test equal 30 year’s exposure was undertaken. At the  end of the test, there were no signs of any deterioration. 
 3.Thanks to its non-stick surface EFTE films are easy to clean and are also self-cleaning. 
 4.EFTE films are recyclable. 
 5.EFTE cables and wires can withstand very strong amounts of heat 
 6.EFTE is resistant to ultra violet light 
 7.It has high abrasion to corrosion 
 8.Great electrical insulative properties 
 9.Chemical inertness 
10.Coefficient of friction is low 
11.Good chemical resistance 

Disadvantages of EFTE cable and wire 
Just like the other kinds of fluoro- polymers, EFTE produces hydrofluoric acid (HF). Hydrofluoric acid is highly corrosive and also very toxic. Therefore great caution has to be executed when handling EFTE during combustion.

Applications

1.Used in covering wires and cables that are subjected to very high stress 
2.Situations that call for low fume toxicity 
3.Areas that call for high reliability cables and wires 
4.Aerospace applications 
5.Nuclear industries that need tie and cable wraps. 
6.Electrical applications 
7.Environments that emit very high energy 

The types of ETFE cables and wires available in the market are aviation wiring, aerospace wiring, nuclear cables, medical wiring, appliance wiring and electronics wiring. If you need custom made Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene wires and cables for your special needs, Galaxy will be glad to come to your rescue as they have been in business for the longest period. 

Has this information been useful? Get in touch with our team and we will be glad to give you answers to any questions you have on the ETFEs.