In the photovoltaic cable industry, low smoke zero halogen LSZH crosslinked polyolefin LSZH XLPO has become one of the key material systems. In addition to base resin and formulation design, the choice of crosslinked method directly affects material cost, performance, processing method, and the final application position of the cable.
At present, LSZH crosslinked polyolefin materials for photovoltaic cables mainly use two mature technologies: irradiation crosslinked and silane crosslinked. These two methods differ in structure formation, production process, and suitable application scenarios.
Polyolefin materials are thermoplastic by nature. Without crosslinked, they soften or even flow when exposed to heat. Under long-term high temperature operation and outdoor conditions, ordinary thermoplastic structures cannot meet stability requirements.
Through crosslinked, stable three dimensional network structures are formed between polymer chains. This changes the material from thermoplastic behavior to thermoset behavior. As a result, heat resistance, mechanical strength, and aging resistance are greatly improved. This is a key foundation for long term safe operation of photovoltaic cables.
Therefore, in LSZH crosslinked polyolefin systems, the crosslinked method is not only a process choice. It directly determines cable cost, performance level, and service life.
Irradiation crosslinked usually uses electron beam technology. After material shaping, high energy electrons act on polymer chains and create crosslinked reactions.
The main feature of this method is that it does not rely on chemical crosslinked agents. The material system remains clean, which helps maintain LSZH low smoke and halogen free properties. Irradiation crosslinked is a physical process with good control and uniform crosslinked.
In photovoltaic cable applications, irradiation crosslinked LSZH polyolefin usually shows these advantages:
First, stable heat resistance. After crosslinked, the material can operate at higher temperatures for a long time, which suits high load DC photovoltaic circuits.
Second, good structural stability. The material does not deform easily when temperature changes, helping keep cable structure intact.
In addition, irradiation crosslinked materials have good surface quality and are suitable for photovoltaic cables with strict appearance and size requirements.
It should be noted that irradiation crosslinked requires special equipment and specific production setups. For this reason, it is more suitable for large scale and standardized photovoltaic cable production.
Silane crosslinked is a mature chemical crosslinked process. Silane groups are introduced into polyolefin chains. After extrusion, crosslinked is formed through hydrolysis and condensation reactions.
The main advantage of silane crosslinked LSZH polyolefin is high processing flexibility. crosslinked can be completed using standard extrusion equipment, making it suitable for photovoltaic cables of different sizes and structures.
In photovoltaic cable use, silane crosslinked materials usually show good mechanical performance and environmental resistance. The insulation or sheath maintains flexibility and crack resistance during long term operation, which fits outdoor installation and bending conditions.
Silane crosslinked also has clear advantages in thick wall and complex cable structures. crosslinked depth and stability are easier to control, making it suitable for a wide range of product designs.
From an application point of view, irradiation crosslinked and silane crosslinked do not replace each other. The choice depends on cable design goals and operating conditions.
Irradiation crosslinked LSZH polyolefin is more suitable for photovoltaic cables that require higher heat resistance, dimensional stability, and product consistency. It is often used in large scale and highly standardized projects.
Silane crosslinked LSZH polyolefin offers better flexibility in processing and structure design. It is more suitable for cables with multiple specifications, complex designs, and higher requirements for cost control and process compatibility.
In real projects, different crosslinked methods may even be used for different cable layers to balance performance and cost.
Whether irradiation or silane crosslinked is used, the core goal is the same. It is to improve the long term reliability of LSZH crosslinked polyolefin cables in photovoltaic systems.
Choosing the right crosslinked method helps the material stay stable under heat, UV exposure, humidity, and electrical stress. This reduces aging risk and extends the service life of the photovoltaic system.
As photovoltaic power plants move toward larger scale and longer operation periods, the match between crosslinked process and material system becomes an important factor in cable design.
In future photovoltaic cable applications, LSZH crosslinked polyolefin materials will continue to improve. Through better formulation design, crosslinked control, and production optimization, both performance and efficiency will increase.
Irradiation crosslinked and silane crosslinked are two mature technologies. They will continue to exist side by side in different photovoltaic applications and support the stable development of the photovoltaic cable industry.
