Cable films

Polyester films for the cable industry

Various polyester films are used in the cable industry for the production of cables. They serve as separating and insulating films, are used for shielding electrical conductors or provide protection against moisture. Due to the physical and chemical properties of polyester films, they can be used for power cables as well as for data or communication cables, control cables or special cables.

Important properties of polyester films for use in cable production

Cable films made from polyester material have high tensile strength and low grammage. The material is very flexible and is characterized by very good physical and chemical properties as well as high temperature resistance. Good electrical properties make polyester films the perfect material for cable production. The major advantage of polyester films in cable production results from the possibility of adapting their properties to very different parameters, such as the required voltage range, the type of installation, different environmental conditions, insulation properties and requirements regarding shielding, temperature range and much more.

Cable films for use in data cables

Data cables place high demands on the electrical properties and shielding function of the cable material. Polyester films have permanently consistent physical and chemical properties as well as variable film thicknesses that can be maintained with low tolerances. Film thicknesses between 12 and 50 micrometres are usually processed for communication cables and data cables. The excellent mechanical values and suitable electrical properties make the transparent and flexible film the ideal raw material for cable production.

Polimetal composite films are used for shielding data cables

In order to prevent electronic circuits or circuit components from being influenced, the electrical fields emitted by cables must be shielded. This prevents malfunctions caused by interference that can arise from the voltage fields of unshielded cables. Shielding also ensures that the data signals inside the cables are transmitted correctly and without interference from other electrical fields and other data cables.

Electrical conductors are shielded by a closed metallic covering around the data cables on all sides. This function, also known as electrostatic shielding, is performed either by metal braids or continuous films reinforced with a PET film. These Polimetal composite films counteract influence or electrostatic induction, i.e. the mutual influence of data cables through their electrical fields.

Protection against mechanical stress through cable films

In addition to their shielding performance, metallized films also protect data cables against mechanical stress. Through different compositions of the composite films and the different material thicknesses available, the shielding performance and performance in terms of mechanical stress can be adapted to different requirements. Composites made from polyester film and aluminium are usually used for communication cables and data cables. For some applications, composite films with aluminium-copper coatings may also be considered.

The use of cable films in flat cables

Electronic devices are becoming smaller and more compact. There is therefore very little space left for connecting individual components of the devices by cable. This requires high precision in cable routing within a very small space. Modern flat cables are suitable for this purpose. They are characterized by high flexibility while still offering strong mechanical load capacity. Another major advantage is their low weight. The polyester films used in the production of flat cables must therefore meet increasingly high requirements and be precisely matched to the individual application.

Cable films in power cables

Polyester films are not only used in data cables, communication cables and control cables. Separating and insulating films made from PET are also used for the production of power cables and special cables. The reasons for this are their mechanical load values and their neutral behaviour towards greases, oils and solvents. Since the films do not contain plasticizers, they are resistant to ageing under normal conditions. For power cables, separating films and insulating films made from PET are used in thicknesses from 50 to 125 micrometres. In addition to their shielding performance and protection against mechanical stress, polyester films also serve as moisture protection. In the field of power cables, thick aluminium films are used for this purpose.

Cable films with specific properties

If you are looking for polyester films for cable production with specific properties in terms of mechanical stress, moisture protection or shielding performance, we will be happy to advise you. We can provide detailed information on which film thicknesses and finishes are suitable for specific applications and which composite films deliver which shielding performance for our optimont® technical films.

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