Dow Introduces New Non-Halogen Cross Web Separator Compound For Plenum Applications
Houston, TX - March 21, 2005
Dow Wire & Cable, a global business within The Dow Chemical Company, today introduced a new non-halogen flame retardant cross web separator compound for Plenum Category 6 communication cables that provides processing and performance advantages for cable manufacturers. Cables produced using DFDA-1675 NT EXP1, Dow Wire & Cable's polyolefin-based thermoplastic flame retardant compound, as a cross-web were approved by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. in December 2004 and passed the UL NFPA 262 flame test. The new compound is designed to replace fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) star/cross separators in Plenum Category 6 applications.
"This is the first of several new halogen-free products that Dow Wire & Cable will introduce in 2005," said Thorne Bartlett, Global New Business Development Manager for Dow Wire & Cable. "Initial sampling is underway and global commercialization is expected in April."
Cable manufacturers will find that DFDA-1675 NT EXP1 can be extruded at higher rates, enabling faster and more efficient processing. The compound also provides high quality, flexibility and reliability and is designed to be used with the standard materials used in Cat 6 Plenum designs.
DFDA-1675 NT EXP1 has the following key features:
- Highly flame retardant (UL NFPA 262 as a star/cross separator, cable construction dependent)
- Environmentally friendly (lead-free, halogen-free, and sulphur/antimony-free)
- ROHS Compliant
- Low smoke, low corrosivity, and low toxicity
- Good electrical properties and moisture resistance
- Good balance of toughness and flexibility
- Ease of extrusion and no special tooling required
About Dow Wire & Cable
As a world-leading producer of polyolefin-based wire and cable materials, Dow Wire & Cable, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW) and its subsidiaries, brings almost 60 years of experience to power, telecommunications and specialty cable applications. Polyolefin-based compounds from Dow Wire & Cable are used as insulation, semi-conductive, flame retardant and jacketing materials, providing a unique combination of mechanical strength, flexibility, electrical properties, aging stability and processability. Dow Wire & Cable creates value for global customers by supplying material and compounding solutions that are backed by solid research, product development, engineering and market validation expertise. For more information, please visit www.dowwireandcable.com.
About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
For Editorial Information:
Simon Dibb
Porter Novelli Public Relations
(978) 475-3004
Deb Toledo
The Dow Chemical Company
(713) 978-2189
