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UNIGARD™ RE DFDA-1638 NT

Non-Halogen, Flame Retardant, Thermoplastic Jacket and Insulation Compound

Supplied by The Dow Chemical Company

The technical datasheet with complete property values for UNIGARD™ RE DFDA-1638 NT is available to members of the Prospector Plastics Database.
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Product Description
UNIGARD™ RE DFDA-1638 Natural is a non-halogen, flame retardant, thermoplastic, low smoke, low corrosive, and low toxic compound. It has been designed for general purpose, medium and low voltage applications. If needed, standard color concentrates (EVA or PE based) can be used.

Used as jacket, it is designed to pass the IEC-332-3, the IEEE-383/UL-1685 vertical tray cable burn tests. Cable construction, of course, plays an important role in flame performance. DFDA-1638 Natural can be used as jacket
for 90°C rated cables.

DFDA-1638 Natural is also designed to maximize processing and flame performance. This compound can sustain extrusion temperatures up to 362°F (200°C) and can be extruded in typical single-flight metering PE screws, barrier screws, Maddock screws, and screws with mixing pins.

Features
UNIGARD RE DFDA-1638 Natural provides the following features:
  • Highly flame retardant (VW-1, IEC-332-3, IEEE 383 flame test ratings)
  • Environmentally friendly (lead-free, halogen-free, sulfur/antimony-free)
  • Low smoke, low corrosivity, and low toxicity
  • UV stabilized
  • Contains copper inhibitor
  • Ease of extrusion and no special screw required
  • Good electrical properties, moisture resistance, and fluid resistance
  • Good balance of toughness and flexibility
  • Excellent cut-through, crush, and abrasion resistance
  • Colorable for insulation and jacket applications
General  
Material Status 
  • Commercial: Active
Availability 
  • Africa & Middle East
  • Asia Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • North America
Additive 
  • UV Stabilizer
Uses 
  • Communication Wire Jacketing
  • Flame Retardant Jacketing
  • Industrial Cable Jacketing
  • LSZH Jacketing
  • Wire & Cable Applications
Agency Ratings 
Forms 
  • Pellets
Physical
Nominal Value
Unit
Test Method
Density
g/cm³
 ASTM D1505
Mechanical Water Absorption - 7 days (158°F)
mg/in²
 UL 1581
Environmental Stress-Cracking Resistance 2 (10% Igepal)
hr
 ASTM D1693
Mechanical
Nominal Value
Unit
Test Method
Tensile Strength 3
psi
 ASTM D638
Tensile Elongation 3 (Break)
%
 ASTM D638
Flexural Modulus - 1% Secant
psi
 ASTM D790
Taber Abrasion Resistance - 1000 cycle
%
 ASTM D1044
Shrinkback - 4 hrs 4 (212°F)
%
 REA 89
Elastomers
Nominal Value
Unit
Test Method
Tear Strength
lbf/in
 ASTM D470
Hardness
Nominal Value
Unit
Test Method
Durometer Hardness (Shore A)
 
 ASTM D2240
Thermal
Nominal Value
Unit
Test Method
Brittleness Temperature
°F
 ASTM D746
Hot Deformation 4     UL 1581
194°F
%
  
212°F
%
  
250°F
%
  
Oxidation Induction Time - Al pans, no crimping, no screen, 100 ml oxygen/min
min
 ASTM D3895
Aging
Nominal Value
Unit
Test Method
Retention of Tensile Elongation - 10 days 3 (230°F)
%
 ASTM D638
Retention of Tensile Strength - 10 days 3 (230°F)
%
 ASTM D638
Electrical
Nominal Value
Unit
Test Method
Volume Resistivity (73°F)
ohm·cm
 ASTM D257
Dielectric Constant     ASTM D150
60 Hz
 
  
100 kHz
 
  
1 MHz
 
  
6 MHz
 
  
Dissipation Factor     ASTM D150
60 Hz
 
  
100 kHz
 
  
1 MHz
 
  
6 MHz
 
  
Flammability
Nominal Value
Unit
Test Method
Oxygen Index
%
 ASTM D2863
Acid Gas Emission Conductivity
 
 IEC 754-2
Acid Gas Emission pH
 
 IEC 754-2
Acid Gas Test - Generation
%
 MIL C-24643
Smoke (0.10 in)
 
 NES 711
Smoke Density     ASTM E662
Flaming Mode - D1.5: 0.10 in
 
  
Flaming Mode - D4.0: 0.10 in
 
  
Flaming Mode - Dm, (corr.): 0.10 in
 
  
Non-flaming Mode - D1.5: 0.10 in
 
  
Non-flaming Mode - D4.0: 0.10 in
 
  
Non-flaming Mode - Dm, (corr.): 0.10 in
 
  
Temperature Index (Burning) - Critical
°F
 NES 715
Toxicity
 
 NES 713
Additional Information
Fluid Resistance:

Diesel Fuel, MIL-F-16884, 24 hrs, 35°C
  • #14 AWG (1.63 mm dia.) solid copper conductor with 0.045 in (1.1 mm) insulation. Full immersion of tubular specimens.
    • Tensile Strength Retention: 77%
    • Elongation Retention: 101%

Hydraulic Fuel, MIL-H-5606, 24 hrs, 49°C
  • #14 AWG (1.63 mm dia.) solid copper conductor with 0.045 in (1.1 mm) insulation. Full immersion of tubular specimens.
    • Tensile Strength Retention: 61%
    • Elongation Retention: 93%

Hydraulic Fuel, MIL-H-17672, 24 hrs, 49°C
  • #14 AWG (1.63 mm dia.) solid copper conductor with 0.045 in (1.1 mm) insulation. Full immersion of tubular specimens.
    • Tensile Strength Retention: 73%
    • Elongation Retention: 111%

Lubricating Oil, MIL-L-23699, 24 hrs, 49°C
  • #14 AWG (1.63 mm dia.) solid copper conductor with 0.045 in (1.1 mm) insulation. Full immersion of tubular specimens.
    • Tensile Strength Retention: 80%
    • Elongation Retention: 124%

ASTM #2 Oil, 4 hrs, 70°C
  • #14 AWG (1.63 mm dia.) solid copper conductor with 0.045 in (1.1 mm) insulation. Full immersion of tubular specimens.
    • Tensile Strength Retention: 68%
    • Elongation Retention: 139%

Turbine Fuel, JP-4, MIL-T-5624, 24 hrs, 23°C
  • #14 AWG (1.63 mm dia.) solid conductor with 0.030 in (0.76 mm) insulation. Full immersion of tubular specimens.
    • Tensile Strength Retention: 76%
    • Elongation Retention: 160%

Turbine Fuel, JP-5, MIL-T-5624, 24 hrs, 23°C
  • #14 AWG (1.63 mm dia.) solid conductor with 0.030 in (0.76 mm) insulation. Full immersion of tubular specimens.
    • Tensile Strength Retention: 76%
    • Elongation Retention: 97%

Cleaner, Isopropyl Alcohol, TT-I-735, 24 hrs, 23°C
  • #14 AWG (1.63 mm dia.) solid conductor with 0.030 in (0.76 mm) insulation. Full immersion of tubular specimens.
    • Tensile Strength Retention: 82%
    • Elongation Retention: 103%

Coolant, Monsanto Coolanol 25, 24 hrs
  • #14 AWG (1.63 mm dia.) solid conductor with 0.030 in (0.76 mm) insulation. Full immersion of tubular specimens.
    • Tensile Strength Retention: 92%
    • Elongation Retention: 89%
Related Terminology
Product names can be difficult to match. You may have searched any one of these terms to find this product: UNIGARD™ RE DFDA-1638 NT, UNIGARD RE DFDA1638 NT, UNIGARD™ , UNIGARD, UNIGARDREDFDA1638NT, RE DFDA, RE DFDA-1638 NT, RE DFDA1638 NT, RE DFDA:1638 NT, RE DFDA/1638 NT, RE DFDA+1638 NT, RE DFDA_1638 NT, RE DFDA 1638 NT, REDFDA, DFDA1638, 1638NT, REDFDA1638NT, REDFDA_1638NT, Thermoplastic, Unspecified, Thermoplastic Unspecified, TP, Unspecified, TP Unspecified, Dow, ThermoplasticUnspecified, TPUnspecified, DFDARE
Uses
Uses may also be described by the following terms: Wire and Cable Applications, Wire & Cable Applications, Communication Wire Jacketing, Industrial Cable Jacketing, Flame Retardant Jacketing, LSZH Jacketing.
Agency Ratings
This plastic material has 3 certifications from the following agencies (the number in parentheses shows the number of certifications for that agency): UL (2), IEEE (1).
Extrusion Notes
DFDA-1638 Natural can be processed on a wide range of commercially available thermoplastic extrusion equipment. This material exhibits an ease of processing that is unique for highly filled non-halogen products now on the market. We suggest beginning with the recommended conditions listed below.

Extruder
  • Extruder L/D: 20:1 to 24:1
  • Screws Suggested: Single flight with metering section, Barrier screws, Maddock screw
  • Screw Delivery End: Shallow rather than deep
  • Compression Ratio: 2:1 to 3:1
  • Screen Pack/Inch: 20/80/20 mesh

Temperature Profile
  • Feed Zone: 300°F-325°F (149°C-162°C)
  • Center Zones: 380°F-400°F (193°C-204°C)
  • Head/Die Zones: 350°F-360°F (175°C-180°C)
  • Conductor Preheat: 250°F (121°C)

Draw-Down Ratio (DDR)
  • Core Diameter less than 0.5 in (13 mm) 1:1 to 1.25:1
  • Core Diameter greater than 0.5 in (13 mm) 2:1

Tooling
  • Semi-pressure tooling improves surface finish.
  • Tube-on tooling: Retract guider-tip slightly into die.

Die
  • Single tapered short land die is preferred.

Vacuum
  • Though not usually necessary, on occasion may help obtain a tight jacket and offset any low DDR effect.

Air-Gap/Cooling Water
  • Short air gap (such as 6 in [150 mm]) and ambient water

Pre-Drying
  • Pre-drying at approximately 158°F (70°C) for 4 hours is recommended in commercially available dehumidifying dryers. Do not heat over 195°F (90°C).

Colorability
  • UNIGARD RE DFDA-1638 Natural is a colorable compound. Color masterbatch materials designed for use with polyethylene or ethylene copolymer wire and cable products are recommended. Generally speaking, color masterbatch added at the level from 0.5 to 1.0% by weight gives adequate color and disperses well in the extrusion process.
Notes
1Typical properties: these are not to be construed as specifications.
2No Cracks
3#14 AWG (1.63 mm dia.) solid copper conductor with 0.030 in (0.76 mm) insulation.
4#14 AWG (1.63 mm dia.) solid copper conductor with 0.045 in (1.1 mm) insulation.
 
IDES
Copyright © 2012 IDES
The information presented on this datasheet was acquired by IDES from the producer of the material. IDES makes substantial efforts to assure the accuracy of this data. However, IDES assumes no responsibility for the data values and strongly encourages that upon final material selection, data points are validated with the material supplier.