SI-LINK DFDA-5445 BK Dow Polyethylene, Unspecified

Product Description

DFDA-5445 BK is a flame retardant carbon black-filled master-batch for use with SI-LINK® PE that can be used in large cables requiring UL-44 horizontal burn flame performance. This product is formulated to pass Horizontal Burn XHHW-2 on larger cables.

Specifications
DFDA-5445 BK, is used at 35% in conjunction with 60% SI-LINK Cross-linkable Polyethylene DFDA-5451 NT and 5% DFDB-5480 NT Catalyst Master-batch on size 2 AWG conductors and larger. At these concentrations the necessary properties, including flame retardance, the requirements for XHHW-2, RHW-2 and RHH cables as defined by UL-44 and UL-1571, as well as Underground Service Entrance (USE-2) as defined by UL-854 and UL-1581 are met. Horizontal burn performance has been successfully demonstrated on sizes as small as 6 AWG with higher concentrations of DFDA-5445 BK.

DFDA-5445 BK is a highly filled black flame retardant master-batch for addition to the standard SI-LINK PE base resin (DFDA-5451) and catalyst (DFDB-5480) moisture cure system. DFDA-5445 BK offers flexibility in tailoring the formulation to meet the horizontal burn requirement on a range of cable sizes. Typically, a usage level of 55% for DFDA-5445 BK will pass the horizontal burn test down to size 6 AWG; a usage level of 35% will pass the horizontal burn test down to size 2 AWG. The economics of the formulation may be optimized for a particular application depending on the cable sizes produced and the UL submittal sizes selected. Such factors as processing conditions, degree of cure and type of conductor can affect the results, so cable manufacturers must determine the optimal formulations for their applications.

General

Material Status

Commercial: Active

Availability

Latin America

North America

Uses

Low Voltage Insulation

Wire & Cable Applications

Agency Ratings

Forms

Pellets

Physical	Nominal Value	Unit	Test Method
Density		g/cm³	ASTM D1505
Melt Mass-Flow Rate (MFR) (190°C/2.16 kg)		g/10 min	ASTM D1238
Mechanical	Nominal Value	Unit	Test Method
Tensile Strength²		psi	ASTM D638
Tensile Elongation² (Break)		%	ASTM D638
Thermal	Nominal Value	Unit	Test Method
Hot Creep Elongation³		%	ICEA T-28-562
Aging	Nominal Value	Unit	Test Method
Retention of Tensile Elongation²			ASTM D638
Carbon Arc Weathering, 300 hours		%
Heat Aging, 7 days: 250°F		%
Retention of Tensile Strength²			ASTM D638
Carbon Arc Weathering, 300 hours		%
Heat Aging, 7 days: 250°F		%
Additional Information
Typical Formulation Effect on Horizontal Burn Aluminum Wire Size: 2 AWG Wall Thickness: 45 mil 60% DFDA-5451 NT 5% DFDB-5480 NT 35% DFDA-5445 BK Horizontal Burn: PASS System Density: 1.022 g/cc Aluminum Wire Size: 4 AWG Wall Thickness: 45 mil 50% DFDA-5451 NT 5% DFDB-5480 NT 45% DFDA-5445 BK Horizontal Burn: PASS System Density: 1.055 g/cc Aluminum Wire Size: 2 AWG Wall Thickness: 45 mil 40% DFDA-5451 NT 5% DFDB-5480 NT 55% DFDA-5445 BK Horizontal Burn: PASS System Density: 1.090 g/cc For conductor sizes smaller than 6 AWG, Dow Wire & Cable Compound's DFDA-5400 flame retardant masterbatch should be used.
Related Terminology
Product names can be difficult to match. You may have searched any one of these terms to find this product: SI-LINK™ DFDA-5445 BK, SILINK DFDA5445 BK, SI-LINK™ , SILINK, SI:LINK™, SI/LINK™, SI+LINK™, SI_LINK™, SI LINK™, SILINKDFDA5445BK, SI_LINK, SI LINK, DFDA, DFDA-5445 BK, DFDA5445 BK, DFDA:5445 BK, DFDA/5445 BK, DFDA+5445 BK, DFDA_5445 BK, DFDA 5445 BK, DFDA5445, 5445BK, DFDA5445BK, DFDA_5445BK, Polyethylene, Unspecified, Polyethylene Unspecified, PE, Unspecified, PE Unspecified, Polyethylene, PE, Dow, PolyethyleneUnspecified, PEUnspecified, 5445DFDA
Uses
Uses may also be described by the following terms: Low Voltage Insulation, Wire and Cable Applications, Wire & Cable Applications.
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 (3).

Extrusion	Nominal Value	Unit
Drying Temperature		°F
Drying Time		hr
Melt Temperature		°F
Extrusion Notes
Highly filled systems with carbon black are inherently hygroscopic and will, over a period of time, absorb moisture. Though the packaging used for DFDA-5445 Black is specifically designed to reduce moisture penetration, drying for 4 to 6 hours at 140°-160°F (60°-70°C) in a hopper drier with dehumidified air is recommended for optimum results. If desired, it may be dry mixed with Dow Wire & Cable Compound's DFDB-5480 Natural catalyst master-batch prior to being dried. SI-LINK® PE can be extruded as a thermoplastic, with ordinary polyethylene extrusion equipment. To prevent scorch, the die and cross-head should be as streamlined as possible, and its volume be as small as possible. Exact extrusion characteristics will be dependent on the equipment in use and can be determined only during cable trials. An approximate melt temperature of 170-180°C is recommended. SI-LINK PE systems require curing in a warm, humid environment. A water bath at 70-90°C or a sauna at 70-90°C and 50-90% relative humidity is ideal. Cure time is typically around 8 hours, but reel size, cable construction and exact sauna or water bath conditions all affect cure time. Each manufacturer must determine the required cure time for each cable construction.

Notes

¹Typical properties: these are not to be construed as specifications.

²Insulation (35% DFDA-5445 BK, 60% SI-LINK® PE Cross-linkable Polyethylene DFDA-5451 NT and 5% DFDB-5480 NT Catalyst Masterbatch). 14 AWG copper cable with 30 mil insulation thickness. Cured 16 hours at 90°C in water.

³Insulation (35% DFDA-5445 BK, 60% SI-LINK® PE Cross-linkable Polyethylene DFDA-5451 NT and 5% DFDB-5480 NT Catalyst Masterbatch). 14 AWG copper cable with 30 mil insulation thickness. Cured 4 hours at 90°C in water.

SI-LINK™ DFDA-5445 BK

Flame Retarding Masterbatch for Moisture Curable Power Cable Insulation

Supplied by The Dow Chemical Company