As the most important protective barrier for cables, sheathing materials play a critical role in ensuring durability and performance. ONE WORLD specializes in the R&D and supply of cable material compounds, offering a full range of sheathing solutions including those listed below. Users can select the most suitable and cost-effective sheathing material based on their specific application environment.
1. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
Compared with other types of polyethylene, LDPE has a lower density, excellent electrical insulation properties, and good flexibility. With the addition of approximately 2–3% carbon black for UV stabilization, it offers outstanding weatherability. This material is commonly used for loose tube optical fiber cables and can be customized according to customer requirements. When used in optical cables, especially in long-distance outdoor deployments, it provides waterproofing, UV protection, and abrasion resistance for optical fibers. However, it is not suitable for high-temperature environments, is flammable (unless flame-retardant treated), and has moderate thermal aging performance.
2. Medium-Density Polyethylene (MDPE)
Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) falls between low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), with a density typically ranging from 0.926 to 0.940 g/cm³. MDPE offers excellent impact resistance, enabling it to withstand external pressure and impact, making it highly suitable for outdoor cable installations, particularly in buried or harsh environments. It provides good flexibility, chemical resistance, and strong resistance to UV radiation and severe weather. MDPE also exhibits excellent electrical insulation properties. Its flame retardancy can be enhanced by adding flame retardants. Additionally, MDPE is a recyclable material and is considered a well-balanced, versatile polyethylene option.
3. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a thermoplastic known for its high strength and excellent chemical resistance. It is produced through the polymerization of ethylene, resulting in a dense molecular structure with high crystallinity. HDPE is valued for its durability, chemical resistance, water resistance, low moisture absorption, and cost-effectiveness, making it an important material in the plastics industry. In the cable sector, HDPE is widely used for optical cable sheathing and conduit systems, providing superior mechanical protection and environmental adaptability.
4. Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH/LSOH)
Low smoke zero halogen (LSZH/LSOH) materials are composed of polyolefins filled with flame retardants such as aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide. These sheathing materials are suitable for indoor and multi-purpose cables. Compared with traditional materials, LSZH materials emit very little smoke when burned and contain no halogens, thus producing no corrosive toxic gases. They offer excellent flame retardancy and are widely used in high-safety environments such as data centers, hospitals, public transportation systems, commercial buildings, and residential properties. Due to their complex formulation and processing requirements, LSZH materials are generally more expensive than standard PVC or PE.
5. Polyamide 12 (Nylon PA12)
Polyamide 12 is a high-performance engineering plastic belonging to the nylon family. Compared with materials such as PA6 and PA66, PA12 offers lower moisture absorption and better dimensional stability. PA12 outer sheathing enhances cable resistance to rodent damage and reduces friction between the cable and conduit. It also provides good chemical resistance to a wide range of oils, fuels, and common chemical media, making it suitable for cable protection in complex environments.
6. Polyurethane (PUR)
Polyurethane offers excellent abrasion resistance, good flexibility and elasticity, and strong resistance to a variety of chemicals such as oils, solvents, and acids. It also provides good resistance to UV radiation, ozone, and moisture, along with high tear strength, making it suitable for demanding industrial environments. PUR materials are typically more expensive than PVC and PE, and they are more difficult to process, so they may not be the first choice when budget is a primary constraint.
7. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl chloride is widely used in both electrical and optical cables. It offers low cost, good flexibility, and reasonable flame retardancy and oil resistance. For electrical cables, PVC provides good insulation and flame-retardant properties; for optical cables, it is mainly used in indoor or flame-retardant applications, offering basic mechanical protection. However, PVC can release harmful gases when burned, and its low-temperature performance is limited, becoming brittle in cold conditions.
8. Lead Sheath
Lead sheathing is a metallic protective layer applied to cables. This structure is typically used in applications requiring high sealing performance, chemical resistance, or electromagnetic shielding. Due to lead’s excellent moisture resistance and chemical stability, it provides a reliable environmental barrier for cables, and is still used in specialized applications such as power and telecommunications. It is important to note that lead has a high density and is toxic; its use must comply with relevant safety and environmental regulations.
9. Low Smoke Zero Halogen Polyolefin (SHF1)
SHF1 materials are commonly used in marine and shipboard applications. Defined under IEC 60092-359, SHF1 is a cable sheathing material specifically designed for marine environments, offering resistance to oil, heat, and ozone, while providing low smoke zero halogen properties that produce minimal smoke and no corrosive gases in the event of fire. This material is widely used in shipboard, power, and communication cables to ensure safety and durability in harsh marine conditions.
10. High Weather Resistance Low Smoke Zero Halogen Polyolefin (SHF2)
SHF2 also complies with IEC 60092-359 and offers improved weather resistance compared to SHF1. This material is suitable for more demanding environments such as intense UV exposure, humidity, salt spray, and chemical corrosion, with superior oil resistance and chemical stability. SHF2 is widely used in offshore platforms, power facilities, and ship decks, where enhanced environmental resilience is required.
11. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a material that combines rubber-like elasticity with the processability of plastics. It offers excellent abrasion resistance, flexibility, and chemical resistance, making it particularly suitable for applications requiring high flexibility and wear resistance. TPU is widely used in industrial automation cables, robotic cables, and drag chain cables in high-dynamic environments, as well as in cables exposed to humid or oily conditions. It is suitable for moderate temperature ranges and complex environments, and also provides good weather and UV resistance.
12. Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)
Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) materials offer low water absorption, good sealing properties, and resistance to weathering and UV radiation, making them suitable for outdoor environments. TPE also provides good flexibility and abrasion resistance, and can be used in industrial automation cables and automotive cables. For applications with high requirements for flexibility, wear resistance, and environmental adaptability, TPE is a sheathing material with strong overall performance.
Conclusion
Whether in industrial or commercial applications, understanding the characteristics of different sheathing materials and selecting based on specific application scenarios is key to ensuring cable performance and safety. Rational material selection can help optimize system design, reduce maintenance costs, and improve overall operational reliability.
ONE WORLD is committed to providing high-quality, customized sheathing material compounds for cable manufacturers. Whether your needs involve flame retardancy, oil resistance, abrasion resistance, weather resistance, or halogen-free solutions, we can help match you with the most suitable and cost-effective material options.
For further technical consultation or sample support, please feel free to contact us.
Post time: Mar-27-2026