Connection Systems

Choosing the Right Cable Type

What cable material do I choose?

Which cable material is best suited for your application? Use the following charts to help guide your selection.

• Application/Environmental Performance

  Application/ Environment	PVC Cable	PUR Cable	TPE Cable	ToughLink™ Cable	ToughWeld™ Cable
  Flex Rated	Not Rated	X	X	Not Rated	Not Rated
  Extremely Aggressive Welding Environments (non-flexing)					X
  Aggressive Coolants/Fluids, Machining – No Flexing				X
  Machining Robots, Oil based cutting fluid		X
  Welding Robots, Machining, General Use within Automotive Plant			X
  Cold Temperature & Freezer Applications (down to -40°)		X		X
  Relative Cost

• Cable Material Characteristics

  PVC (Polyvinylchloride) – a thermoplastic, the most common material used for jacketing cables Resists some cutting fluids, acids, and alcohol Stands up to outdoor environments Cost-effective Applications: General Wiring use Outdoor applications Non-flexing application Cost sensitive applications
  PUR (Polyurethane) – a thermoplastic with an outstanding flex life and abrasion resistance. Resistant to both water- and oil-based metal cutting fluid Long flex life Withstands low temperatures Resists abrasion and shearing No plasticizers in compound, which means there are no additives in the material that will break down High tensile strength Applications: Higher flex applications Machining, exposure to cutting fluids Use in salt spray applications	TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) - a rubber-like plastic which is ideal for general use in harsher environments. Known as the “Universal Cable”; well-suited for general use in harsh environments Stands up to a broad range of chemicals and corrosive cutting fluid Smaller and more manageable than rubber cable Flex rated construction Resistant to flame and weld slag Applications: High-flexing Machining with water based cutting fluid Exposure to flame and weld slag
  ToughLink™ (Proprietary Rubber-like Plastic) – a rubber-like plastic which is ideal for general use in harsher environments. Heavy duty construction for the harshest of environments Stands up to a broad range of chemicals and corrosive cutting fluid Resistant to flame and weld slag Applications: Machining with water based cutting fluid Exposure to flame and weld slag Non-flexing applications	ToughWeld™ (Neoprene Rubber) – a synthetic rubber with great physical toughness. Flame resistant Resists abrasion and shearing Withstands very low temperatures Applications: Exposure to flame, sparks or weld slag Submersion in water Contact with hard objects which might slice cable Non-flexing applications Applications with chemicals and cutting oils

• Application Compatibility

  General Properties	PVC	PUR	TPE	ToughLink™	ToughWeld™
  Weld slag resistance	F	F	G-E	F	E
  Sub zero temperature flexibility	F	G-E	G	E	G
  Constant bending and flexing	F	E	E	F-G	F
  Abrasion resistance	G	E	G	G	G
  Ozone resistance	E	E	E	E	E
  Sunlight and Weathering	E	G	G	G	G
  P=Poor, F=Fair, G=Good, E=Excellent

• Chemical Compatibility

  	PVC	PUR	TPE	Toughlink™	ToughWeld™
  General Chemicals
  Alcohols	E	G	E	E	G
  Acids - very mild diluted (less than 3% concentration)	E	G	E	E	G
  Acids - strong up to 50% concentration	E	P-F	E	G	F-G
  Alkalis - very mild diluted less than 3% concentration	E	G	E	E	E
  Alkalis - strong up to 50% concentration	E	P-F	E	G	F-G
  Bleach	E	P-F	E	E	G
  Oils, greases	G-E	E	E	G-E	E
  Solvents, volatile (acetone, toluene, MEK)	P-F	P-F	P-F	P-F	P-F
  Solvent oils (distilled mineral oils C5-C20, citrus oil)	P-F	G	P-F	P-F	P-F
  Water (submerged)	E	G	E	E	E
  Metalworking oils/coolants
  Diluted with water	G	G	E	G	E
  Waterless, oil based	G	E	E	G	E
  Food and Beverage
  Food/beverage industry soils (oils, fats, fruits, juices, vegetables, dairy, tomatoes, wine, vinegar)	G	G	E	G	E
  Food/beverage industry chemicals (chlorinated alkaline cleaners, acidic mineral cleaners, detergents, sanitizers, convey or lubricants)	E	G	E	E	E
  Automotive fluids
  Antifreeze (ethylene glycol)	E	G	E	G	E
  Fuels (gasoline, diesel, kerosene)	G	E	G	G	F-G
  Motor, transmission (ATF), axle oils, power steering fluid	G	E	E	G	E
  Brake fluids (many different types available)	P-G	P-G	P-G	P-G	P-G
  P=Poor, F=Fair, G=Good, E=Excellent