Sibkabel JSC (part of the Cable Alliance Holding (HCA), which unites the cable assets of UMMC) has produced granulated high-modulus rubber based on ethylene-propylene rubber. The volume of the first batch was about three tons. The release of the new rubber will allow Sibkabel and other KhKA plants to solve the problem of import substitution, provide cable production with their own high-tech materials and reduce the production time of finished products.
High-modulus ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) is designed for insulating cables for various purposes. Compared to standard insulating materials (PVC compound, cross-linked polyethylene, etc.), the high-modulus EPR ensures high strength of the cable structure. Small geometric dimensions make it possible to reduce the bending radius of the product with increased resistance to short-circuit currents. Thus, the service life of the cable is increased to at least 30 years.
The cable with EPR insulation is in demand in various sectors of the national economy. It is used to transmit electricity in stationary and outdoor installations, including in hazardous areas, in crowded places and on the territory of special structures (metro, river and sea ports, nuclear facilities).
For to ensure the high quality of the batch of rubber mixture, the employees of Sibkabel carried out a thorough preparation of the equipment, used special suits and hats, which exclude dust and other foreign bodies from entering the rubber. “Rubber has high purity requirements during the manufacturing process. Any debris can subsequently lead to breakdowns and cable failure during operation, ”says Alexander Sukhov, deputy head of workshop No. 4 of Sibkabel JSC.
Samples of cable products using high-modulus EPR have already been tested. In the future, the new rubber will be used for serial industrial production.
A workshop for the production of rubber compounds was opened at Sibkabel in 2015. Investments in the project exceeded RUB 500 million.
