Fibre Optic Systems – Cables and Ducts - Borealis

Fibre Optic System solutions
Optical fibre infrastructure is now recognised as the main building block for future proof high speed
data transfer. Cables are aerial, direct buried, inserted in a modular duct system or under water.
This puts severe demands on the material that protects the cable from the outside environment.
The selection of the correct duct, jacket and tube is essential to produce an easy to install, robust
and future-proof system. Borealis and Borouge have developed a large range of globally available
products tailored to meeting these needs.
This document is intended to give a quick and easy overview of the available Borealis solutions for
fibre optic systems. In case of in depth questions always contact a local technical service engineer.
Specific needs require specific solutions and Borealis and Borouge have the expertise to advise and
tailor solutions for your fibre optic systems.
Borstar ® – Enhanced polyethylene
To satisfy the progressively evolving needs of fibre optic systems solutions, Borealis and Borouge
offer a range of Borstar polyethylene and polypropylene materials which provide enhanced
performance reliability through protection of the optical fibres during cable laying in the ground or
sub-sea, as well as their in-service environment.
Borstar grades use Borealis’ proprietary bimodal technology; deliver property combinations and
performance levels not available with conventional PE. These include:
• High abrasion and impact resistance
• Thermal stability at high and low ambient temperatures
• Excellent balance of physical and water barrier properties
• Good ageing performance for long service life
• Optimal Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance
• Easy low temperature processability with very low shrink back
Bibliography
• Robinson JE et al, “Strategies for the Incorporation of Carbon Black into Cable Sheaths to
Ensure Adequate Weathering”. Proc. 58 th IWCS, Charlotte (NC), Nov, 2009.
• De Boer H et al, “Low shrink HDPE for the sheathing of fibre optic minicable”, Proc. 59 th
IWCS, Providence(RI), Nov, 2010.
• Malm B et al., “Polypropylene Heterophasic Copolymer for Loose Tube Buffers—Material
Choice, Processing Conditions and Economy”, Proc. 53 rd IWCS, Philadelphia (PA), Nov, 2004.
• Davies M et al, “An ADSS Optical Fibre Cable Utilising Advanced Sheathing Technology”,
Proc. Materials in Technology, London, 2001.
For Casico products, please consult the summary datasheet for building applications.
For product data sheets, safety data sheets and product liability statements,
visit us at www.borealisgroup.com and www.borouge.com or contact your Borealis or Borouge representative.
Solutions for
Fibre Optic Systems –
Cables and Ducts
© 2012 Borealis AG
© 2012 Borouge Pte Ltd
Solutions for Fibre Optic Systems – Cables and Ducts
Borealis and Borouge – leading, innovative plastics providers
Borealis and Borouge are leading providers of
innovative, value creating plastics solutions. With
more than 50 years of experience in polyolefins and
our unique Borstar ® technology, we focus on the
infrastructure, automotive and advanced packaging
markets across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Our
production facilities, innovation centres and service
centres work with customers in more than 50 countries
to provide materials that make an essential contribution
to society and sustainable development. We are
committed to the principles of Responsible Care ® and in
‘Shaping the Future with Plastics’.
Borealis and Borouge -
Dedicated to Wire and Cable Solutions
Borealis and Borouge are the world’s leading providers
of innovative, value creating plastics solutions
for the wire and cable industry. Our solutions are
customer-driven and designed to satisfy the industry’s
evolving demands for higher technical performance.
Consequently, they can be found in the most
challenging EHV and HV cable applications, as well as
MV and LV energy transmission and distribution cables,
building wires and communications cables.
In answer to the need for production, installation and
cable-system lifetime enhancements, we create the
innovation links that secure world-class, step-change
solutions and create value for the whole wire and
cable value chain. Through the introduction of unique
Disclaimer The information contained herein is to our knowledge accurate and reliable as of the date of publication. Borealis and Borouge extend no warranties and make no representations as to
the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein, and assume no responsibility regarding the consequences of its use or for any printing errors. It is the customer’s responsibility
to inspect and test our products in order to satisfy himself as to the suitability of the products for the customer’s particular purpose. The customer is also responsible for the appropriate, safe and
legal use, processing and handling of our products. Nothing herein shall constitute any warranty (express or implied, of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, compliance with performance
indicators, conformity to samples or models, non-infringement or otherwise), nor is protection from any law or patent to be inferred. Insofar as products supplied by Borealis and Borouge are used
in conjunction with third-party materials, it is the responsibility of the customer to obtain all necessary information relating to the third-party materials and ensure that Borealis and Borouge products,
when used together with these materials, are suitable for the customer’s particular purpose. No liability can be accepted in respect of the use of Borealis and Borouge products in conjunction with
other materials. The information contained herein relates exclusively to our products when not used in conjunction with any third-party materials.
Borstar is a registered trademark of Borealis A/S.
Casico, Shaping the Future with Plastics, Visico and Ambicat are trademarks of Borealis A/S.
For more information contact:
info@borealisgroup.com I info@borouge.com
www.borealisgroup.com I www.borouge.com
+43 1 22 400 000 I +65 6275 4100
polymer technologies which include Visico/Ambicat,
Borstar ® and Casico, we continue to pioneer the
development of advanced insulation and jacketing
systems for both energy and communication cables.
Built on more than 40 years experience, Borealis and
Borouge have a well-established track record in serving
customers’ needs with the consistently high quality
products expected of global leaders. We are committed
to extending that leadership position and our role as
reliable partners for the long-term - a commitment not
only supported by our forward thinking in innovative
solutions, but also confirmed by ongoing investments
for our customers’ continued success.
Putting customers’ needs at the centre of our planning
is reflected in the commissioning of expanded XLPE
production capacity in the second half of 2007 and
Borealis’ EUR 370 million investment in a new 350,000
tonne/year LDPE plant in Stenungsund, Sweden, was
inaugurated in 2010. Furthermore, Borouge’s expansion
of Borstar ® capacity in the Middle East allows us to
satisfy growing customer demand for wire and cable
products in emerging markets.
Through ongoing research and development,
investment in the future and a dedicated team with solid
industry knowledge, we aim to remain fully responsive
to our customers’ needs throughout the world.

WC SDS 500 GB 2012 05 BB
Solutions for Fibre Optic System cables
Application Component Type Grade EU Grade US
MEA, FEA
Material + MB (1) Features
Tight Buffer Unit Buffer Outer Fiber coating Natural FR4807 - Casico Soft fibre protection, easily strippable
Black HE6062/67 HE6062 HDPE High Strength, very good crush resistance, good ESCR
Natural HE6063/68 HE6063 HDPE + color MB Natural version of HE6062
Standard
Typical diameter: 8,5mm
Jacket
Black
Natural
Black
LE8707
LE8706
ME6052
LE8707
LE8706
ME6052
LLDPE
LLDPE + color MB
MDPE
High Strength, crush resistance, good ESCR
Natural version of LE8707, UV stabilised
Slightly less hard and lower shrinkage than HE6063, good processing
Multi Loose tube
Natural ME6053 ME6053 MDPE + color MB Natural version of ME6052
Wet Tube - 2,5mm - - - - -
Mini cables
Jacket
Black
Natural
HE6067
HE6068
HE6067
HE6068
HDPE
HDPE + color MB
Very low shrink back, low extrusion temperatures, high strength , very good crush resistance, UV protected
Natural version of HE6067
Typical diameter: 6,5mm
Dry Tube - 1,5mm Natural - - PP + UV MB -
Wet Tube - 1,5mm - - - - -
Black HE6062 HE6062 HDPE High Strength, very good crush resistance, good ESCR, UV protected
Natural HE6063 HE6063 HDPE + color MB Natural version of HE6062
Central tube Central tube Reinforced Jacket
Black
Natural
LE8707
LE8706
LE8707
LE8706
LLDPE
LLDPE + color MB
High Strength, crush resistance, good ESCR, UV protected
Natural version of LE8707
Black ME6052 ME6052 MDPE Slightly less hard and lower shrinkage than HE6063, good processing, UV protected
Natural ME6053 ME6053 MDPE + color MB Natural version of ME6052
Slotted core Slotted core
Jacket
Core
Black
Natural
HE6062
HE1110
HE6062
HE1110
HDPE
HDPE
High strength, very good crush resistance, good ESCR, UV protected
High dimensional stability, optimal processability
Speciality
ADSS aerial
Submarine
Jacket
Jacket
Black
Natural
HE6081
HE6068
HE6081
HE6068
HDPE
HDPE
Track resistant
High cleanliness, low shrink back, low extrusion temperature
(1) Masterbatch to be added during duct/cable production
MDA - Metal deactivator
UV - Ultra-violet
ESCR - Environmental stress crack resistance
ADSS - All dielectric self supporting
FR - Flame retardant
FOC - Fibre Optic Cable
LSZH - Low smoke zero halogen