low smoke halogen free Crosslinked polyolefin（XLPO） insulation materials have become one of the main material systems for modern building wires and electrical wiring cables because of their high heat resistance, stable electrical performance, and LSZH properties. They are widely used for single-core and multi-core cables in distribution cabinets, household appliances, and internal wiring systems in public buildings.
For cable manufacturers, the main concerns today are usually the following:
whether the material has long-term thermal stability;
whether it can meet low smoke halogen free requirements;
whether it can meet EN 50363-5 EI5 requirements;
whether it is suitable for H07Z-K, H05Z-U and similar building wire structures;
whether it has stable crosslinking processing performance;
whether it can pass IEC 60332, IEC 60754, IEC 61034 and related tests.
Traditional building wires mainly use PVC insulation systems. However, PVC releases a large amount of smoke during burning, and it also releases halogen-containing acidic gases. These gases are corrosive and can cause secondary damage to electronic equipment, electrical systems, and fire protection facilities.
Crosslinked polyolefin low smoke halogen free insulation materials belong to the LSZH material system. During combustion, these materials produce much lower smoke density and do not release large amounts of halogen acid gas. Because of this, they have become an important material choice for modern public buildings, electrical projects, and high safety applications.
At the same time, crosslinked polyolefin systems can also improve the heat resistance of the material. Ordinary PVC building wires usually have a long-term operating temperature of around 70°C, while crosslinked polyolefin LSZH insulation materials can reach 90°C, 105°C, or even higher.
After irradiation crosslinking or silane crosslinking, a stable three-dimensional network structure forms inside the polyolefin material. This structure greatly improves heat resistance and allows the material to maintain stable mechanical properties and dimensional stability under high temperatures.
Because of this, many high-performance building wires now use:
90°C LSZH crosslinked polyolefin materials,
105°C LSZH silane crosslinked or irradiation crosslinked polyolefin materials,
125°C silane crosslinked or irradiation crosslinked polyolefin insulation systems.
Especially in standards such as AS/NZS 3013, IEC 60332, EN 50363, UL 1581, and GB/T 31247, LSZH crosslinked polyolefin insulation materials are becoming more common.
At present, the most common crosslinked polyolefin systems used in building wires are mainly divided into two types:
irradiation crosslinked polyolefin materials and silane crosslinked polyolefin materials.
Many cable manufacturers compare these two process routes during material selection.
The biggest advantage of irradiation crosslinking is its high crosslinking uniformity. After extrusion, the material forms a crosslinked structure through electron beam irradiation, making the crosslinking density more stable. This method is especially suitable for high-grade LSZH building wires. In thin-wall insulation structures, irradiation crosslinked systems are usually better for controlling insulation thickness stability and surface quality.
Because of this, many high-end building wires, railway building wires, and high flame-retardant wires prefer irradiation crosslinked polyolefin materials.
The advantages of silane crosslinking are mainly related to production flexibility and cost control.
Silane crosslinking does not require irradiation equipment, so equipment investment is lower. It is more suitable for multi-size and small-batch production. At the same time, for ordinary building wires, silane crosslinked systems can also meet long-term 90°C operating requirements. Therefore, silane crosslinked polyolefin materials are widely used in 0.6KV/1KV low-voltage cables, low-voltage cables below 3KV, and EI5 type low-voltage cables under the EN 50363 standard.
As a company focused on the research, development, and production of crosslinked polyolefin materials, Angreen mainly provides two systems for the building wire industry:
irradiation crosslinked building wire materials and silane crosslinked building wire materials.
In modern building electrical systems, different countries and regions have different requirements for temperature rating, flame retardancy, LSZH performance, and long-term stability. Because of this, material systems are not based on a single solution. They must match the standard system, production process, and final application.
Under the European standard system, EN 50363-5 has become one of the main standards for LSZH building wire materials. EI5 is a specific category under this standard and refers to materials with a maximum continuous operating temperature of 90°C.
Many EI5 type cables, including H07Z-K, H05Z-U, and H05Z-K building wires, are gradually replacing traditional PVC insulation systems with crosslinked polyolefin LSZH insulation materials.
To meet this market demand and the production requirements of many European cable manufacturers, Angreen provides 105°C LSZH silane crosslinked building wire insulation materials.
These materials are mainly used for EI5 type low-voltage building wires:
H07Z-K LSZH building wires,
H05Z-U single-core fixed installation wires,
H05Z-K flexible LSZH building wires.
Compared with traditional PVC insulation systems, irradiation crosslinked building wire materials have better long-term thermal aging performance, short-circuit temperature resistance, and smoke density control.
In addition to European standard products, Angreen also provides Australian standard building wire material solutions.
As Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asian markets continue to increase requirements for fire-resistant building cables, standards such as AS/NZS 5000, AS/NZS 3808, and AS/NZS 3013 are becoming more widely used in the building wire industry.
AS/NZS 3013 is mainly used for fire-rated power systems that must continue operating during fire conditions, such as:
fire alarm system cables.
fire sprinkler system cables.
emergency lighting cables.
smoke exhaust system cables.
fire elevator power cables.
For this market and these standards, Angreen provides Australian standard silane crosslinked LSZH building wire materials such as XHF110 and HFS110-TP.
For the Chinese market, Angreen provides B1 grade LSZH flame-retardant polyolefin materials and B2 grade LSZH irradiation crosslinked polyolefin materials for indoor building wiring cables and public building flame-retardant cables.
These materials can be used to produce:
B1 grade power cables
B2 grade power cables
indoor flame-retardant low-voltage building wires.
FAQ
Q1: What types of building wires mainly use crosslinked polyolefin LSZH materials?
At present, they are mainly used for 90°C, 105°C, and 125°C building wires, especially in hospitals, subways, airports, data centers, high-rise buildings, and fire protection systems where flame retardancy and low smoke performance are important.
Q2: What is the difference between irradiation crosslinking and silane crosslinking?
Irradiation crosslinking forms the crosslinked structure through electron beams. It provides higher crosslinking uniformity and is suitable for high flame-retardant and thin-wall structures. Silane crosslinking does not require irradiation equipment, so production cost is lower and it is more suitable for ordinary building wires.
Q3: What does EN 50363-5 EI5 mainly focus on?
EN 50363-5 EI5 mainly focuses on the performance of LSZH insulation materials, including thermal aging, mechanical performance, LSZH properties, and long-term stability.
Q4: What are the mainstream LSZH building wire material systems today?
The current mainstream systems are mainly irradiation crosslinked polyolefin LSZH insulation materials and LSZH flame-retardant polyolefin systems. Main related standards include IEC 60332, IEC 60754, EN 50757 (CPR), EN 50363, AS/NZS 3808, AS/NZS 3013, and GB/T 31247.
Q5: What materials can be used for EI5 type cables?
EI5 type cables that meet EN 50363 standards can use 105°C silane crosslinked polyolefin insulation materials.
