Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
  • H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
  • H01B7/17—Protection against damage caused by external factors, e.g. sheaths or armouring
  • H01B7/28—Protection against damage caused by moisture, corrosion, chemical attack or weather
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
  • H01B9/00—Power cables
  • H01B9/005—Power cables including optical transmission elements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
  • H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
  • H01B7/02—Disposition of insulation
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
  • H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
  • H01B7/17—Protection against damage caused by external factors, e.g. sheaths or armouring
  • H01B7/29—Protection against damage caused by extremes of temperature or by flame
  • H01B7/295—Protection against damage caused by extremes of temperature or by flame using material resistant to flame

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an optical and / or UV-resistant optical cable comprising at least one colored electrically insulating sheath and at least one transparent layer surrounding said electrically insulating sheath.
• the electrical and / or optical cables generally comprise one or more elongated conductive element (s) of the electrical and / or optical type, and an electrically insulating outer sheath surrounding the conductive element (s) elongated (s) of the electric and / or optical type.
• the electrically insulating outer sheath can be colored so as to indicate to the user and / or the repairer what type of cable is involved.
• UV radiation When these cables are located outside, they are subjected to high levels of UV radiation which, coupled with atmospheric oxygen and other stresses (eg water, high temperature, ozone, etc.), induce premature aging of the electrically insulating outer sheath.
• the polymeric materials generally used in electrically insulating outer sheaths eg polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride
• UV radiation is responsible for the photodegradation of colored additives (eg organic dyes) which are generally used to color the electrically insulating outer sheath of a cable.
• the colored materials are capable of absorbing UV rays leading to specific photochemical reactions such as chain breakage; the formation of double or triple bonds, ions, electrons ejected or most often free radicals; the elimination of small molecules; or crosslinking.
• photochemical reactions such as chain breakage; the formation of double or triple bonds, ions, electrons ejected or most often free radicals; the elimination of small molecules; or crosslinking.
• These reactions result in undesirable and irreversible changes in properties such as: discoloration (ie, low durability of the initial color appearance of the electrically insulating outer sheath), deformation and surface cracks, change in tensile strength and elongation, etc., and ultimately lead to deterioration functional properties (physical, mechanical, aesthetic, etc.) of electrically insulating outer sheaths and the reduction of their service life.
• a first solution is to incorporate in the composition of the outer electrically insulating sheath of a cable one or more stabilizers such as a UV absorber, whose role is to capture the UV radiation instead of the polymer material and / or materials. and convert it to heat, which is then distributed over the surface of the electrically insulating sheath.
• a UV absorber is carbon black.
• the electrically insulating outer sheath thus obtained is black, and the carbon particles within said sheath completely absorb the UV rays and transform them into thermal energy.
• color registration strips are added to the black outer electrically insulating sheath.
• this solution does not allow to manufacture electrically insulating outer sheaths having a color other than black, or having color marking strips on a color other than black.
• US5355427 proposes the use of an electrically insulating outer sheath based on polyethylene having an orange color resistant to UV rays. However, the composition of the sheath is not described.
• UV stabilizers can also be used in an electrically insulating outer sheath of a cable. They do not absorb UV rays like UV absorbers; on the other hand, they protect the materials contained in the electrically insulating sheath from the detrimental effects of the free radicals produced by photochemical reaction. by neutralizing them, thus curbing any chemical degradation.
• stabilizers UV absorbers, UV stabilizers
• a colored electrically insulating sheath does not make it possible to avoid the gradual disappearance of the initial color or the change of coloration on the surface of said sheath, especially when the free radicals are produced on the surface of the sheath where these stabilizers are not very effective.
• the object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art techniques by providing an electric cable and / or optical color for energy transport and / or data transmission, which can be used for outside, especially in places where the level of UV radiation is high, while ensuring good color fastness as well as good mechanical and electrical properties.
• the present invention relates to an electrical and / or optical cable comprising at least one elongate conductive element and a colored electrically insulating sheath surrounding said elongated conductive element, said cable being characterized in that it further comprises a transparent layer surrounding the sheath electrically insulating colored, said transparent layer being in direct physical contact with the electrically insulating sheath colored and comprising at least one polymer and at least one UV absorber. Thanks to this transparent layer surrounding the colored electrically insulating sheath of the electrical and / or optical cable of the invention, said cable has improved resistance to UV radiation and can be used outside buildings while avoiding discoloration and / or attenuation of the color of the sheath, as well as a degradation of its mechanical and electrical properties.
• the term "colored sheath” means that the sheath has a color that can be visually identified by the user, the installer or the repairer of the cable comprising said sheath.
• the color of the sheath of a cable generally depends on the type of cable used (e.g., safety cables, medium voltage cables, etc.) and / or the supplier of said cable.
• the term "transparent layer” means that the layer passes the electromagnetic waves whose wavelength corresponds to the visible spectrum, or between the wavelengths 380 and 780 nm approximately.
• the user, the installer or the repairer of a cable must be able to visually identify the color of the sheath of said cable through the transparent layer.
• the transparent layer is UV-resistant and protects the cable's electrically insulating sheath from UV rays. It makes it possible to avoid the use of UV absorbers directly in the colored electrical insulating sheath of the cable which does not protect the external surface of the cable, and thus its premature deterioration.
• the UV absorber is preferably chosen from compounds comprising a benzophenone (BP), benzotriazole (BTZ), hydroxyphenyl-s-triazine (HPT) and cyanoacrylate (CA) backbone.
• BP benzophenone
• BTZ benzotriazole
• HPT hydroxyphenyl-s-triazine
• CA cyanoacrylate
• Examples of compounds having a benzotriazole skeleton include 2- (2H-benzotriazol-2-yl) -4,6-bis (l-methyl-l- phenylethyl) phenol (Tinuvin ® 234 ), 2- (2H-benzotriazol-2-yl) -p-cresol (Tinuvin ® P), 2- (2'-hydroxy-3'-ter £ --butyl-5'-methylphenyl) -5- chlorobenzotriazole (Tinuvin ® 326), 2- (2'-hydroxy-3 ', 5'-di- £ "er £" - butylphenyl) -5-chlorobenzotriazole (Tinuvin ® 327), 2- (2H-benzotriazol 2-yl) -4,6-ditertpentylphénol (Tinuvin ® 328), 2- (2H-benzotriazol-2-yl) -4- (l, l, 3,3-te
• CA cyanoacrylate
• 2-propenoic acid 2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl-, 2,2-bis (2-cyano-1-oxo -3,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl) oxymethyl-l, 3-propanediyl ester (Uvinul ® 3030), ethyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate (Uvinul ® 3035), or 2-ethylhexyl 2- cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate (Uvinul ® 3039).
• the clear layer may comprise combinations of two or more of the UV absorbers described above.
• the transparent layer may comprise at most about 10% by weight of UV absorber, preferably about 0.01 to 10% by weight of UV absorber, and more preferably about 0.05 to 2% by weight of UV absorber. UV absorber, relative to the total mass of the transparent layer.
• the polymer of the transparent layer of the cable of the invention may be chosen from crosslinked and non-crosslinked polymers, polymers of the inorganic type and of the organic type.
• the polymer of the transparent layer may be a homo- or co-polymer having thermoplastic and / or elastomeric properties, or thermosetting properties.
• the polymer (s) of the inorganic type may be polyorganosiloxanes.
• the polymer (s) of the organic type may be polyolefins, polyamides, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyvinyls or halogenated polymers such as fluorinated polymers.
• the polyolefins may be chosen from ethylene and propylene polymers.
• ethylene polymers such as linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), copolymers of d ethylene and vinyl acetate (EVA), copolymers of ethylene and butyl acrylate (EBA), methyl acrylate (EMA), 2-hexylethyl acrylate (2HEA), ethylene copolymers and alpha-olefins such as polyethylene octene (PEO), ethylene-propylene copolymers (EPR), ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers (EEA), or terpolymers of ethylene and propylene (EPT) such as, for example, terpolymers of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).
• LLDPE linear low density polyethylene
• LDPE low density polyethylene
• MDPE medium density polyethylene
• the preferred polymers of the transparent layer are chosen from crosslinked ethylene copolymers and fluorinated polymers and, more preferably, from crosslinked ethylene copolymers.
• the transparent layer may comprise at least about 70% by weight of polymer (s), preferably at least about 90% by weight of polymer (s), and more preferably at least about 95% by weight of polymer (s), relative to the total mass of the transparent layer.
• Other additives well known to those skilled in the art may also be added to the transparent layer of the cable of the invention such as plasticizers, lubricants, waxes, antistatic agents, or crosslinking agents (eg peroxides, silanes).
• the transparent layer may thus comprise at most about 10% by weight of crosslinking agent (s), preferably from about 0.01 to 10% by weight of crosslinking agent (s), and more preferably from 0, Approximately 5 to 5% by weight of crosslinking agent (s), based on the total mass of the transparent layer.
• low density polyethylene means a polyethylene having a density of from about 0.91 to about 0.925.
• high density polyethylene means a polyethylene having a density ranging from about 0.94 to about 0.965.
• the polymer preferably has a refractive index ranging from
• the polymer (s) of the transparent layer of the cable of the invention are transparent, especially in all the thickness considered of said layer.
• the transparent layer is an electrically insulating layer.
• the transparent layer is preferably applied to the colored electrically insulating sheath of the cable of the invention by extrusion.
• the transparent layer may further comprise a hindered amine UV stabilizer (well known under the Anglicism "hindered amine light stabilizer” or HALS).
• a hindered amine UV stabilizer well known under the Anglicism "hindered amine light stabilizer” or HALS.
• the UV stabilizer of the HALS type can be chosen from the amino and aminoether derivatives of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine.
• preferred UV stabilizers of the HALS type mention may be made of bis (1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl) [[3,5-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl) - 4-hydroxyphenyl] methyl] butylmalonate (Tinuvin ® 144), bis- (l-octyloxy- 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate (Tinuvin ® 5100), 2,4-bis [N - Butyl-N- (l-cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl) amino] -6- (2-hydroxyethylamine) -l, 3,5-triazine (Tinuvin 152 ®), poly (4-hydroxy-2, 2,6,6-tetramethyl-l-piperidyl
• the transparent layer may comprise at most about 10% by weight of hindered amine UV stabilizer, preferably from about 0.01 to about 10% by weight of hindered amine UV stabilizer, and more preferably from about 0.05 to about 3 about 70% by weight of hindered amine type UV stabilizer, based on the total mass of the transparent layer.
• the transparent layer may further comprise at least one antioxidant.
• antioxidants are not limiting and these are well known to those skilled in the art.
• the antioxidant may for example be a thioester type compound, phosphite type, or hindered phenol type.
• hindered phenol compound examples include pentaerythritol tetrakis (3- (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate) (Irganox ® 1010), octadecyl 3- ( 3,5-di- £ "er £" -butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate (Irganox ® 1076), the l, 3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris (3,5-di-tert butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) benzene (Irganox ® 1330), 4,6-bis (octylthiomethyl) -o-cresol (Irgastab ® KV10) or 2- [2- [3- (3,5-di-te ⁇ butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propanoyloxy] ethylsulfanyl] ethyl 3- (3,5-di- £ "er £" -buty
• phosphite compound there may be mentioned tris (2,4-di- £ £ --butylphényl -er) phosphite (Irgafos ® 168) and Bis (2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl pentaerythritol diphosphite (Ultranox® 626).
• thioester compound include the didodecyl-3,3'-thiodipropionate (Irganox ® PS800) and distearyl thiodipropionate (Irganox PS802).
• the transparent layer may comprise at most 10% by weight of antioxidant, preferably from 0.01 to 10% by weight of antioxidant, and more preferably from 0.05 to 3% by weight of antioxidant, relative to the total mass of the transparent layer.
• the transparent layer may have a thickness of from about 0.01 to 1 mm, preferably from about 50 to 250 ⁇ m, and more preferably from about 150 to 250 ⁇ m.
• the transparent layer has a thickness of less than 0.01 mm, it does not sufficiently protect the colored sheath of the cable of the invention from UV radiation.
• the transparent layer has a thickness greater than 1 mm, its cost of production is high and its transparency may not be optimal depending on the type of polymer (s) (eg crystalline polymer) present in said layer, inducing a limitation as to the choice of the polymer (s) used in said layer.
• the colored electrically insulating sheath of a conventional cable constitutes an outer protective sheath forming an integral part of the cable and represents the outermost layer of said cable.
• the transparent layer is applied directly around the colored electrically insulating sheath and therefore constitutes the outermost layer of said cable.
• the electrically insulating sheath of the cable of the invention being colored, it comprises at least one pigment or dye, said pigment or dye for giving the desired color to said sheath.
• the dye or the pigment may be chosen from dyes or pigments giving a blue, green, yellow, red, white, orange or brown color to said sheath.
• the colored electrically insulating sheath may comprise at most 10% by weight of pigment or dye, preferably from 1 to 10% by weight of pigment or dye, and more preferably from 1 to 2% by weight of pigment or dye, relative to the total mass of the sheath.
• the pigment or dye may be organic or inorganic.
• organic dye or pigment
• inorganic dyes or pigments mention may be made of metal oxides (e.g., titanium oxide, zinc oxide or iron oxide), metal sulphides or carbon blacks.
• metal oxides e.g., titanium oxide, zinc oxide or iron oxide
• metal sulphides or carbon blacks examples of inorganic dyes or pigments.
• the colored electrically insulating sheath comprises at least one polymer chosen from crosslinked and non-crosslinked polymers, polymers of the inorganic type and of the organic type.
• the polymer of the colored electrically insulating sheath may be a homo- or co-polymer having thermoplastic and / or elastomeric properties.
• the polymer (s) of the inorganic type may be polyorganosiloxanes.
• the polymer (s) of the organic type may be polyolefins, polyurethanes, polyvinyls (e.g. polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) or halogenated polymers.
• PVC polyvinyl chloride
• the polyolefins may be chosen from ethylene and propylene polymers.
• ethylene polymers mention may be made of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE) and high polyethylene.
• HDPE high density
• EVA copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate
• EBA butyl acrylate
• EMA methyl acrylate
• 2HEA 2-hexylethyl acrylate
• copolymers of ethylene and alpha-olefins such as for example polyethylene-octene (PEO), copolymers of ethylene and propylene (EPR), copolymers of ethylene / ethyl acrylate (EEA), or terpolymers of ethylene and propylene (EPT) such as, for example, terpolymers of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).
• Preferred polymers of the electrically insulating sheath are selected from ethylene copolymers and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
• the colored electrically insulating sheath may comprise at least about 10% by weight, and preferably at least about 30% by weight of polymer (s), based on the total weight of the sheath.
• the colored electrically insulating sheath may further comprise a hydrated flame retardant mineral filler.
• This hydrated flame retardant mineral filler acts primarily physically by decomposing endothermically (e.g. water release), which results in lowering the sheath temperature and limiting the spread of flame along the cable.
• endothermically e.g. water release
• flame retardancy properties well known under the Anglicism "flame retardant”.
• the sheath may comprise from about 20% to about 70% by weight of hydrated flame retardant mineral filler relative to the total weight of the sheath.
• the hydrated flame retardant inorganic filler may be a metal hydroxide such as magnesium hydroxide or aluminum trihydroxide.
• the electrically insulating sheath preferably does not include halogenated compounds.
• halogenated compounds may be of any kind, such as, for example, fluorinated polymers or chlorinated polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), halogenated plasticizers, halogenated mineral fillers, etc.
• the colored electrically insulating sheath may further comprise at least one inert filler.
• the inert filler may be chalk, talc, or clay (eg kaolin).
• the sheath may comprise from about 5% to about 50% by weight of inert filler relative to the total weight of the sheath.
• the colored electrically insulating sheath of the cable of the invention preferably does not include stabilizers such as UV absorbers and / or UV stabilizers in order to prevent premature aging.
• the colored electrically insulating sheath of the cable of the invention may comprise other additives well known to those skilled in the art such as plasticizers, reinforcing agents, etc.
• the colored electrically insulating sheath may have a thickness of at most about 3 mm, and preferably at most about 2 mm.
• the colored electrically insulating sheath may surround one or more elongate conductive elements (s), isolated or not, along the cable.
• the elongate conductive member is preferably in the center position (in cross-section of the cable) in the cable.
• the cable of the invention is an electrical cable comprising one or more elongated electrically conductive elements.
• the electrical cable further comprises between the elongated electrically conductive element and the colored electrically insulating sheath, an electrically insulating layer surrounding the elongated electrically conductive element and being in direct physical contact with said elongated electrically conductive element.
• the colored electrically insulating sheath surrounds the electrically insulating layer and may be in direct physical contact therewith.
• the electric cable further comprises between the elongate electrically conductive element and the colored electrically insulating sheath:
• the colored electrically insulating sheath surrounds the second semiconductor layer, and may be in direct physical contact therewith.
• the elongated electrically conductive element may be a single-body conductor such as, for example, a metal wire, or a multi-body conductor such as a plurality of twisted or un-twisted metal wires.
• the elongate electrically conductive element may be made from a metallic material chosen in particular from aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, a copper alloy, and one of their combinations.
• semiconductor layer means a layer whose electrical conductivity can be at least 1.10 -9 S / m (Siemens per meter), preferably at least 1.10 -3 S / m, and preferably below 1.10 3 S / m (at 25 ° C).
• the first semiconductor layer, the electrically insulating layer and the second semiconductor layer constitute a three-layer insulation.
• the electrically insulating layer is in direct physical contact with the first semiconductor layer
• the second semiconductor layer is in direct physical contact with the electrically insulating layer.
• the electrical cable may further comprise a metal screen surrounding the second semiconductor layer. In this case, the colored electrically insulating sheath surrounds said metal screen.
• This metal screen may be a "wired" screen composed of a set of copper or aluminum conductors arranged around and along the second semiconductor layer, a so-called “ribbon” screen composed of one or more ribbons conductive metallic copper or aluminum placed (s) optionally helically around the second semiconductor layer, or a so-called “sealed” type screen metal tube optionally composed of lead or lead alloy and surrounding the second semiconductor layer.
• This last type of screen makes it possible in particular to provide a moisture barrier that tends to penetrate the electrical cable radially.
• the metal screen of the electric cable of the invention may comprise a so-called “wired” screen and a so-called “waterproof” screen or a so-called “wired” screen and a “ribbon” screen.
• All types of metal screens can play the role of grounding the electric cable and can thus carry fault currents, for example in the event of a short circuit in the network concerned.
• EVA ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer
• silane crosslinking agent Silfin 59
• LLCPE linear low density polyethylene
• EMA methyl acrylate
• PVdF polyvinylidene fluoride
• UV absorber comprising a benzophenone backbone, Chimassorb 81;
• a cross-linked ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (XL EVA) is obtained by using a mixture of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA, Escorene UL00328) with a silane crosslinking agent (Silfin 59); and a crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) is obtained using a mixture of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE, LL1004) with a silane crosslinking agent (Silfin 59).
• FIG. 1 shows an electric cable (1) according to the invention comprising at least one elongate electrically conductive element (2) and a colored electrically insulating sheath (3) surrounding said elongate electrically conductive element (2), said cable being characterized in it further comprises a transparent layer (4) surrounding the colored electrically insulating sheath (3), said transparent layer (4) being in direct physical contact with the colored electrically insulating sheath (3) and comprising at least one polymer and at least one UV absorber.
• compositions A to I were prepared.
• the table below shows the mass content of each of the elements
• compositions A to I BOARD
• compositions A to I were then extruded and deposited around a colored electrically insulating sheath marketed by Nexans under the reference HS2408T Ly to form a transparent layer.
• the colored electrically insulating sheath included 2% by weight of a green organic dye sold under the reference 2001-GN-50 B25 by Polyone.
• 9 electrical cables according to the invention comprising a colored electrically insulating sheath and a transparent layer surrounding said electrically insulating sheath.
• the transparent layers had a thickness of about 150 to 250 ⁇ m. Thanks to this transparent layer, the cables of the invention exhibited an improved resistance to UV aging.

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• Insulated Conductors (AREA)
• Organic Insulating Materials (AREA)
• Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
• Communication Cables (AREA)

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• 2014
  • 2014-10-06 FR FR1459538A patent/FR3026888B1/fr active Active
• 2015
  • 2015-09-22 WO PCT/FR2015/052534 patent/WO2016055714A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2015-09-22 EP EP15778375.4A patent/EP3204953A1/fr active Pending
  • 2015-09-22 CN CN201580054249.3A patent/CN106795342A/zh active Pending
  • 2015-09-22 KR KR1020177012088A patent/KR20170063930A/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2017
  • 2017-04-04 CL CL2017000813A patent/CL2017000813A1/es unknown

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