Ethylene alkene elastomers for cable insulation applications

Filled insulation compounds have predominantly been based on ethylene propylene rubber. Ethylene propylene rubber is commonly accepted to encompass ethylene propylene copolymers and ethylene propylene diene terpolymers. Advances in polymer catalyst technology have enabled a broader diversity of ethylene based polymers suitable for cable applications. The ICEA specification for medium voltage cables also allows for filled insulation compounds based on ethylene alkene copolymers. Ethylene alkene copolymers contain the traditional ethylene backbone though they can have a longer alkyl side chain or branch. This class of ethylene alkene elastomers can have the same physical properties, flexibility and electrical performance as ethylene propylene rubber based insulations.