In the manufacturing of high-end industrial special cables, the selection of cable sheath materials is crucial. TPU 98A (Shore A 98 hardness Thermoplastic Polyurethane) has become the first choice for many industrial cables due to its excellent wear resistance, chemical resistance, tensile strength and weather resistance.
This article will deeply analyze the core advantages of TPU 98A, and combine data and cases to explore why high-end industrial cables generally use TPU 98A as a sheath material.
TPU 98A is a high-hardness thermoplastic polyurethane that combines the elasticity of rubber and the durability of plastic.
The following are its main characteristics:
High wear resistance: 3-5 times higher than PVC and TPE, suitable for high friction environments such as drag chain cables and robot cables.
Excellent chemical resistance: oil resistance, solvent resistance, hydrolysis resistance, especially suitable for harsh environments such as industrial automation, power and marine engineering.
Good mechanical strength: tensile strength can reach 35 MPa, elongation can reach 450%, and it has excellent durability in dynamic bending scenarios.
Strong weather resistance: It can be used stably for a long time in an environment of -40℃ to +100℃. UV aging test data shows that its service life is more than 2 times longer than that of ordinary PVC cable sheaths.
Environmentally friendly and recyclable: It complies with RoHS and REACH standards. Some high-end TPU 98A products can be recycled and reused, which is in line with the trend of green sustainable development.
In applications that require frequent movement, such as robot cables and drag chain cables, cable sheath materials need to withstand continuous friction and stretching. Studies have shown that the wear resistance of TPU98A is 4 times higher than that of PVC, which can significantly increase the life of the cable and reduce the frequency of replacement, thereby reducing maintenance costs.
In special industrial fields such as petrochemicals, mining machinery, and food processing, cables are often exposed to oil, solvents, or chemical corrosion environments. TPU 98A performs well in the following substances:
| Chemical substances | TPU 98A Tolerance |
| Motor oil (lubricant) | Excellent, almost no swelling |
| Alkaline solution (pH 10) | Stable, no degradation |
| Diesel fuel | Stable, strong anti-swelling ability |
| Salt spray (marine environment) | Corrosion resistant, suitable for offshore wind power cables |
Angreen TPU Material For Special Cable
In low temperature environments, PVC sheaths tend to become brittle, while TPU 98A can still maintain good flexibility and mechanical properties.
Experimental data:
· TPU 98A still has an elongation of more than 250% at -40°C;
· It can still work stably at high temperatures of +100°C without softening or cracking;
Application scenarios: TPU 98A sheathed cables are widely used in polar engineering, cold chain logistics, electric vehicle charging piles, and other fields with strict temperature requirements.
Global environmental protection requirements are becoming more and more stringent, and standards such as EU RoHS, REACH, and US UL have become the entry threshold for the high-end cable market. TPU 98A does not contain harmful substances such as halogens and plasticizers, and is 100% recyclable, making it a sustainable choice for the cable industry in the future.
Market trends: It is expected that by 2030, the global environmentally friendly cable market will grow to $12 billion, and cables using environmentally friendly materials such as TPU 98A will become mainstream.
| Application area | Specific applications | Function of TPU 98A |
| Robot cable | Industrial automation, collaborative robots | Improve the bending and tensile resistance of the cable |
| Drag chain cable | Machine tools, conveying equipment | Enhance wear resistance and reduce replacement frequency |
| Mining cable | Underground equipment, open-pit mining | Oil and corrosion resistant, adaptable to harsh environments |
| New energy vehicle charging cable | DC fast charging cable | Strong weather resistance, low temperature resistance and no brittle cracking |
| Marine cable | Offshore wind power, port equipment | Salt spray resistance, prevent hydrolysis and aging |
TPU 98A has become an ideal material for high-end industrial cable sheaths with its excellent wear resistance, chemical resistance, tensile strength, weather resistance and environmental protection properties. Especially in applications such as robot cables, drag chain cables, mining cables and new energy vehicle charging cables, TPU 98A provides longer service life and more reliable performance, reduces maintenance costs and improves equipment stability.
If you are looking for a more durable and reliable industrial cable material, TPU 98A is undoubtedly your best choice.
