When choosing the ideal cable and wire, the sheath material plays a particularly important role. It provides mechanical and environmental protection and contributes to the long-term reliable operation of cable products. Polyurethane (PUR) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are the two most commonly used sheathing materials for cables and wires. Although the difference is not apparent from the outside, they each have unique properties that make them suitable for different application scenarios. It’s often a matter of choosing between the two. Here, we’ll take a closer look at the performance characteristics of these two materials and discuss the application scenarios for which they are best suited.
PUR Cable– Key Features
Polyurethane (PUR) is a commonly used cable sheathing material. It is an elastomeric material which means that they become soft and ductile upon heating and can be re-shaped when cooled. As compared to TPE cables, which belong to the same category of thermoplastic elastomers, PUR sheathed cables are more abrasion, cut and tear resistance qualities, and maintains good flexibility even at low temperatures. This makes PUR especially desirable for applications where dynamic flexing and bending are needed, for example, drag chains.
How to identify PUR control cables? When burned, they emit black smoke, have a blue flame, melt easily, emit a scorched smell, and have strong flammability.
PVC Cable– Key Features
PVC used to be the most widely produced general-purpose plastic in the world with an array of applications. It is widely utilized in construction materials, industrial products as well as household items. Meanwhile polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a frequent cable sheathing material. It has good physical, mechanical and electrical properties, as well as good weather resistance and chemical stability, and can also be improved by adding different additives, such as flame retardant and heat resistant.
The advantage of PVC cable sheath is cheap, easy to process and install. It is commonly used in low-voltage cables, communication cables, building wires and more. However, PVC cable sheathing is relatively weak in terms of high temperature resistance, cold resistance and UV resistance, and it is not easy to recycle, which can easily cause environmental pollution.
How to recognize PVC material? When seen emitting a green light, a green flame can be seen alongside yellow flames rolling with white smoke emitting and having a hydrochloric acid scent.
Which Cable jacket Material Wins? PVC or PUR?
| Feature | Heat Resistance | Halogen-free | Mechanical Strength | Abrasion Resistance | Flexibility | Oil Resistant | UV Resistant | Suitable for Wet Environments | Flame | Cost |
| PUR Cable Jacket | -40°C~125°C | Practically halogen-free | High | Excellent | High | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Higher |
| PVC Cable Jacket | -20°C~80°C | Usually contains halogens | Moderate | Good | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Excellent | Excellent | Lower |
- PUR vs. PVC in Durability
The material used for PUR jacket cables has the advantage of being resistant to oil and abrasion, whereas PVC is manufactured from a common material. At certain temperatures, the mechanical properties of the material are similar to those of rubber. PUR is also highly resistant to oil, solvents and UV radiation. In addition, depending on the composition of the material, PUR control cables are also halogen-free and flame-retardant, which is an important criterion for cables that are UL-approved and used in the U.S.A. PUR leads the way in terms of excellent abrasion resistance and toughness, and is particularly suited to applications that require a high degree of resistance to abrasion and mechanical stress.
PVC offers stable chemical resistance and good insulating properties. It is insoluble in water, alcohol and gasoline and has low gas and vapor permeability. Although stable in general environments, it is not as good as PUR in oil resistance and extreme temperature conditions.
- PUR vs. PVC in Varying Environments
When to use PUR cables?
- Industrial Automation & Robotics: In industrial automation systems as well as in robotic applications, PUR jacket cables can withstand millions of bending cycles or strong torque without any problems.
- Automotive: The automotive industry is very demanding and requires high temperature and oil resistant cables to connect sensors and control systems, PUR cables are the material of choice in automotive manufacturing due to their excellent physical properties.
- Outdoor and Extreme Environment Cabling: The good weather resistance and low-temperature toughness of PUR cables make them appropriate for outdoor placement or use in extreme temperature conditions like security systems, building façade lighting, and remote monitoring equipment.
When to use PVC cables?
- Residential and commercial building wiring: PVC cables are extremely common in electrical installations in homes, offices and commercial premises for power supply and lighting systems.
- Fixed wiring and communication systems: PVC cables are suitable for indoor fixed wiring, including telephone lines, low frequency data transmission and some simple communication networks.
We can clearly see the difference between the above applications in different environments. PUR cable is more suitable for outdoor or low-temperature operating environments. It is also suitable for applications with heavy oil contamination and the presence of specific chemicals. On the other hand, PVC is more suitable for indoor or non-extreme conditions, such as regular electrical wiring.
- PUR vs. PVC in Economic & Eco-Friendliness
PUR cables offer performance advantages, but are typically more expensive than PVC. The average price is 45 % higher than that of PVC. They are not suitable for low-cost, high-volume production.
PVC is a more economical option. However, recycling and disposal of PVC can be more challenging from an environmental standpoint. The best feature of PVC is that it is flame retardant and is widely used in fireproofing applications. However, PVC releases hydrogen chloride, chlorine gas and other toxic gases when heated above 148°C.
On the whole, when the price is one of the considerations then PVC cables are appropriate for conventional usages. PUR cables are suitable for more demanding industrial applications, where resistance to harsh conditions and longer service life are more important.
Need further help?
If you are still struggling with which power cable type to purchase, feel free to contact one of our ZW Cable representatives.
