PVC Compound for Cable Insulation Suppliers
Source cable-grade PVC compounds for wire insulation and cable sheathing from verified B2B suppliers on Towobo. PVC remains the dominant insulation material for power cables, data cables, flexible wiring, and building wire worldwide — and the compound formulation determines the electrical performance, temperature rating, flexibility, and regulatory compliance of the finished cable. This guide covers compound grades, Shore hardness, temperature classes, RoHS requirements, and how to evaluate cable-grade PVC compound suppliers.
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Browse Cable-Grade PVC Compound Suppliers on Towobo →Cable-grade PVC compound types and specifications
PVC cable compounds are formulated from PVC resin, plasticisers, heat stabilisers, fillers, and processing aids. The compound formulation determines the key performance properties. Temperature rating: standard cable-grade PVC insulation is rated to 70°C (or 75°C, designated T2 under IEC 60227). Heat-resistant grades are rated to 90°C (HR or T3); special grades up to 105°C. Higher temperature ratings require more thermally stable plasticisers and heat stabilisers. Flexibility and Shore hardness: building wire insulation typically uses a hard compound with Shore D hardness of 70–85. Flexible cord (appliance leads, extension cables) requires a soft compound with Shore A hardness of 55–75. Flexible grades require higher plasticiser loading. Plasticiser type: DINP (diisononyl phthalate) and DIDP (diisodecyl phthalate) are the standard non-restricted plasticisers for cable applications. DEHP, DBP, BBP, and DIBP are restricted under EU REACH and RoHS for cables destined for the EU market — always confirm the plasticiser system with the compound supplier. Lead stabilisers: historically common in cable PVC but banned in EU cables under RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU since 2013. Confirm the compound uses a calcium-zinc (Ca-Zn) or organic tin stabiliser system for EU-market cables.
RoHS and REACH compliance for cable PVC compounds
Cable PVC compounds destined for cables sold in the EU or UK must comply with: RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (and its amendment 2015/863/EU) — restricting lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr VI), and four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP) in electrical and electronic equipment; REACH Regulation — restricting SVHCs including specific phthalates at above 0.1% w/w in articles. Request a written RoHS compliance declaration from the compound supplier confirming the compound does not contain restricted substances above maximum concentration values. For cables sold in California, verify Proposition 65 compliance for lead and other listed substances. CPR (Construction Products Regulation) in the EU classifies cables sold into construction by fire performance — cable PVC compounds used in CPR-regulated cables must be formulated to achieve the required reaction-to-fire classification (typically Eca, Dca, or Cca).
Sourcing cable-grade PVC compounds — what to ask suppliers
When evaluating cable-grade PVC compound suppliers, request: CoA confirming Shore hardness, tensile strength and elongation at break (per IEC 60811), volume resistivity, heat ageing data, and temperature rating; RoHS and REACH compliance declarations; the plasticiser and stabiliser system identity; and IEC 60227 or IEC 60245 material type designation matching the compound grade. Request a small trial quantity (25–50kg) for processing trials on your cable extrusion line before placing a container order. Key processing parameters to confirm are extrusion temperature profile, screw speed, and die pressure. China is the dominant source for standard cable-grade PVC compounds for export. European producers (Kem One, Vinnolit, Mexichem/Vestolit) serve premium grades and supply chain-sensitive EU cable manufacturers. For African and Middle Eastern cable manufacturers, Chinese compounds are the primary cost-competitive option.
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Browse Cable-Grade PVC Compound Suppliers on TowoboFrequently asked questions
What Shore hardness should I specify for cable insulation vs sheathing compound?
Insulation compound for rigid building wire: Shore D 75–85 (hard, higher dielectric strength). Insulation for flexible cords: Shore A 55–75 (soft, flexible at room and low temperature). Outer sheathing compound: typically intermediate hardness — Shore A 70–80 for flexible cables; Shore D 65–75 for rigid cables and conduit wiring. Sheathing must provide mechanical protection, UV resistance (for outdoor cables), and oil or chemical resistance where required. Confirm Shore hardness with your cable design specification.
What is the difference between general-purpose and low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) cable materials?
Standard cable PVC insulation and sheathing contains halogens (chlorine from the PVC backbone and plasticisers). In a fire, PVC cables emit dense black smoke and hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas — toxic and corrosive. Low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) cables use halogen-free flame-retardant polymers (typically cross-linked polyethylene, XLPE, or thermoplastic polyolefin compounds) instead of PVC. LSZH is required for cables installed in confined public spaces (tunnels, metros, hospitals, data centres) and is specified by standards such as IEC 60332 and EN 50399. If your application requires LSZH, you cannot substitute a PVC compound — ask specifically for halogen-free flame-retardant (HFFR) compounds instead.
What is the typical MOQ for cable-grade PVC compound from China?
For standard grades produced to order, most Chinese compound manufacturers require a minimum of 5–10 metric tonnes per formulation. For standard catalogue grades held in stock by trading companies, smaller quantities of 1–5 tonnes may be available at a higher price. For container-load export, a 20ft container holds approximately 20–22 metric tonnes in 25kg bags. Confirm whether the compound supplier offers toll compounding (using customer-specified raw materials) if you have specific material requirements.
How do I confirm a cable PVC compound meets IEC 60227 requirements?
Request the supplier's IEC 60227 material type designation (e.g., TI1 for 70°C general-purpose insulation compound) and a test report from an accredited cable testing laboratory confirming tensile strength (minimum 10 MPa), elongation at break (minimum 150%), and heat ageing properties (oven ageing per IEC 60811-401 or 60811-402). Third-party certification to IEC 60227 by a recognised cable testing laboratory (KEMA, VDE, CESI, LCOE) provides the highest assurance for buyers supplying regulated markets.
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