Polymer composition for use in cables
A polymer composition that comprises an olefinic polymer, a flame retardant that includes a halogen-free mineral filler, and a compatibilizing agent is provided. The halogen-free mineral filler constitutes from about 20 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of the composition. The composition may exhibit a degree of water uptake of about 5 wt. % or less after being immersed in water for seven days at a temperature of 23° C.
1. A polymer composition comprising one or more ethylene vinyl acetate polymers in an amount of from about 20 wt. % to about 75 wt. %, a flame retardant that includes a halogen-free mineral filler, and a compatibilizing agent, wherein the halogen-free mineral filler constitutes from about 20 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of the composition and wherein the compatibilizing agent constitutes from about 0.1 wt. % to about 6 wt. %, based on the weight of ethylene vinyl acetate polymers in the composition, and further wherein the composition exhibits a degree of water uptake of about 5 wt. % or less after being immersed in water for seven days at a temperature of 23° C.
2. The polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition exhibits a tensile elongation at break of about 100% or more as determined in accordance with ISO Test No. 527-1:2012 at 23° C.
3. The polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition contains an ethylene vinyl acetate polymer that has a vinyl acetate content of from about 10 wt. % to about 45 wt. %.
4. The polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition contains an ethylene vinyl acetate polymer that has a melt flow index of from about 0.1 to about 30 g/10 min as determined in accordance with ASTM D1238-13 at a temperature of 190° C. and a load of 2.16 kilograms.
5. The polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition contains an ethylene vinyl acetate polymer having a vinyl acetate content of from about 10 wt. % to about 38 wt. % and an ethylene vinyl acetate rubber having a vinyl acetate content of from about 38 wt. % to about 95 wt. %.
6. The polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition contains about 10,000 parts per million or less of halogens.
7. The polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the halogen-free mineral filler is a metal hydroxide.
8. The polymer composition of claim 7 , wherein the metal hydroxide includes aluminum trihydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, or a combination thereof.
9. The polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the mineral filler is in the form of particles having a median size of from about 50 nanometers to about 3,000 nanometers.
10. The polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the compatibilizing agent includes a fatty acid, fatty acid derivative, wax, or a combination thereof.
11. The polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the compatibilizing agent includes a fatty acid having a carbon chain length of from about 8 to 22 carbon atoms.
12. The polymer composition of claim 11 , wherein the fatty acid includes lauric acid, myristic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, ricinoleic acid, capric acid, neodecanoic acid, hydrogenated tallow fatty acid, hydroxy stearic acid, the fatty acids of hydrogenated castor oil, erucic acid, coconut oil fatty acid, or a combination thereof.
13. The polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the compatibilizing agent includes a salt of a fatty acid having a carbon chain length of from about 8 to 22 carbon atoms.
14. The polymer composition of claim 13 , wherein the salt contains a metal cation.
15. The polymer composition of claim 14 , wherein the salt includes zinc stearate, aluminum stearate, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, sodium stearate, lithium stearate, or a combination thereof.
16. The polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is crosslinked.
17. A cable comprising the polymer composition of claim 1 .
18. The cable of claim 17 , wherein the cable includes an elongated protective member that defines a passageway for receiving one or more items, wherein the protective member includes the polymer composition.
19. The cable of claim 18 , wherein the protective member covers one or multiple conductors.
20. The cable of claim 19 , wherein the conductors include copper wire.
21. A cable that includes an elongated protective member that defines a passageway for receiving one or more items, wherein the protective member includes the polymer composition comprising one or more ethylene vinyl acetate polymers in an amount of from about 20 wt. % to about 75 wt. %, a flame retardant that includes a halogen-free mineral filler, and a compatibilizing agent, wherein the halogen-free mineral filler constitutes from about 20 wt. % to about 80 wt. % of the composition and wherein the compatibilizing agent constitutes from about 0.1 wt. % to about 6 wt. %, based on the weight of ethylene vinyl acetate polymers in the composition.
22. The cable of claim 21 , wherein the composition exhibits a degree of water uptake of about 5 wt. % or less after being immersed in water for seven days at a temperature of 23° C.
23. The cable of claim 21 , wherein the protective member covers one or multiple conductors.
24. The cable of claim 21 , wherein the conductors include copper wire.
25. The cable of claim 21 , wherein the composition exhibits a tensile elongation at break of about 100% or more as determined in accordance with ISO Test No. 527-1:2012 at 23° C.