New GEON® Plenstar® PVC Plenum Compounds designed for use in Intermediate to High Fiber Count Fiber Optic Cables

Challenge

Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturers have historically been challenged to find PVC compounds to be used as jacketing materials in intermediate to high fiber count (48-144+ fibers) plenum (OFNP) cables due to the need to balance the high degree of suppression of both flame propagation and smoke development with other physical properties required to meet UL 910 and NFPA 262 requirements. This is particularly difficult as fiber optic cables provide more fuel to burn than do metal cables. 

GEON® was tasked by several partners/customers, which manufacture fiber optical cable, to develop PVC formulations that meets the following Critical to Quality (CTQ):

• Intermediate to high fiber count (48-144+ fibers) plenum (OFNP) fiber optic cables 
• Meets UL 444/UL 910 and NFPA 262 requirements for plenum communications cables
• Applicable in both shielded and unshielded
• Designed for both indoor and outdoor use
• Processes at adequate line speed
• Meets/Exceeds all existing performance requirements (physical/mechanical) for current plenum grades

Solutions

GEON’s Innovation Team developed solutions that provided excellent flame resistance and low smoke generation while meeting all the CTQs. This resulted in the development of GEON Plenstar® Flex WJJP707 (Indoor/Outdoor) and WJJP708 (Indoor) compounds for use as jacketing materials in intermediate to high fiber count (48-144+ fibers) plenum (OFNP) fiber optical cables.

VIEW TECHNICAL DATA FOR:
GEON Plenstar® FLEX WJJP708

Impact

GEON Plenstar® Flex WJJP707 and WJJP708 compounds for use as jacketing materials in intermediate to high fiber count (48-144+ fibers) plenum (OFNP) fiber optical cables enable manufacturers to meet UL910 and NFPA 262 flame and smoke specifications and all other physical property requirements in both shielded and unshielded plenum cable designs for indoor and outdoor use. In addition, these formulations allow them to keep pace with a growing demand for advanced and innovative riser and plenum products. These grades further expand GEON’s exceptional PVC compound portfolio for communications riser and plenum applications such as UL 444 category data cables, RG coaxial cables optical fiber distribution cables and breakout cables.