In this era of rapid information development, communication technology has become a key driving force for social progress. From everyday mobile communication and internet access to industrial automation and remote monitoring, communication cables serve as the “highways” of information transmission and play an indispensable role. Among the many types of communication cables, the coaxial cable stands out due to its unique structure and superior performance, remaining one of the most important media for signal transmission.
The history of the coaxial cable dates back to the late 19th century. With the emergence and evolution of radio communication technology, there was an urgent need for a cable capable of efficiently transmitting high-frequency signals. In 1880, British scientist Oliver Heaviside first proposed the concept of the coaxial cable and designed its basic structure. After continuous improvement, coaxial cables gradually found wide application in the field of communication, particularly in cable television, radio frequency communication, and radar systems.
However, when we shift our focus to marine environments—especially within ships and offshore engineering—coaxial cables face numerous challenges. The marine environment is complex and variable. During navigation, ships are exposed to wave impact, salt spray corrosion, temperature fluctuations, and electromagnetic interference. These harsh conditions place higher demands on cable performance, giving rise to the marine coaxial cable. Specifically designed for marine environments, marine coaxial cables offer enhanced shielding performance and superior resistance to electromagnetic interference, making them suitable for long-distance transmission and high-bandwidth, high-speed data communication. Even in harsh offshore conditions, marine coaxial cables can transmit signals stably and reliably.
A marine coaxial cable is a high-performance communication cable optimized in both structure and material to meet the rigorous demands of marine environments. Compared to standard coaxial cables, marine coaxial cables differ significantly in material selection and structural design.
The basic structure of a marine coaxial cable consists of four parts: inner conductor, insulation layer, outer conductor, and sheath. This design enables efficient high-frequency signal transmission while minimizing signal attenuation and interference.
Inner Conductor: The inner conductor is the core of the marine coaxial cable, typically made from high-purity copper. Copper’s excellent conductivity ensures minimal signal loss during transmission. The diameter and shape of the inner conductor are crucial to transmission performance and are specifically optimized for stable transmission in marine conditions.
Insulation Layer: Positioned between the inner and outer conductors, the insulation layer prevents signal leakage and short circuits. The material must exhibit excellent dielectric properties, mechanical strength, and resistance to salt spray corrosion, high and low temperatures. Common materials include PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and Foam Polyethylene (Foam PE)—both widely used in marine coaxial cables for their stability and performance in demanding environments.
Outer Conductor: Serving as the shielding layer, the outer conductor typically consists of tinned copper wire braiding combined with aluminum foil. It protects the signal from external electromagnetic interference (EMI). In marine coaxial cables, the shielding structure is reinforced for greater EMI resistance and anti-vibration performance, ensuring signal stability even in rough seas.
Sheath: The outermost layer protects the cable from mechanical damage and environmental exposure. The sheath of a marine coaxial cable must be flame-retardant, abrasion-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. Common materials include low smoke halogen-free (LSZH) polyolefin and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). These materials are selected not only for their protective properties but also to comply with stringent marine safety standards.
Marine coaxial cables can be classified in several ways:
By Structure:
Single-shield coaxial cable: Features one layer of shielding (braid or foil) and is suitable for standard signal transmission environments.
Double-shield coaxial cable: Contains both aluminum foil and tinned copper wire braid, offering enhanced EMI protection—ideal for electrically noisy environments.
Armored coaxial cable: Adds a steel wire or steel tape armor layer for mechanical protection in high-stress or exposed marine applications.
By Frequency:
Low-frequency coaxial cable: Designed for lower-frequency signals such as audio or low-speed data. These cables typically have a smaller conductor and thinner insulation.
High-frequency coaxial cable: Used for high-frequency signal transmission such as radar systems or satellite communication, often featuring larger conductors and high-dielectric constant insulation materials to reduce attenuation and increase efficiency.
By Application:
Radar system coaxial cable: Requires low attenuation and high EMI resistance for accurate radar signal transmission.
Satellite communication coaxial cable: Designed for long-range, high-frequency transmission with strong resistance to extreme temperatures.
Marine navigation system coaxial cable: Used in critical navigation systems, requiring high reliability, vibration resistance, and salt spray corrosion resistance.
Marine entertainment system coaxial cable: Transmits TV and audio signals on board and demands excellent signal integrity and interference resistance.
Performance Requirements:
To ensure safe and reliable operation in marine environments, marine coaxial cables must meet several specific requirements:
Salt Spray Resistance: The high salinity of marine environments causes strong corrosion. Marine coaxial cable materials must resist salt spray corrosion to avoid long-term degradation.
Electromagnetic Interference Resistance: Ships generate intense EMI from multiple onboard systems. High-performance shielding materials and double-shield structures ensure stable signal transmission.
Vibration Resistance: Marine navigation causes constant vibration. A marine coaxial cable must be mechanically robust to withstand continuous movement and shock.
Temperature Resistance: With temperatures ranging from -40°C to +70°C across various ocean regions, the marine coaxial cable must maintain consistent performance under extreme conditions.
Flame Retardancy: In the event of a fire, cable combustion must not release excessive smoke or toxic gases. Therefore, marine coaxial cables use low smoke halogen-free materials that comply with IEC 60332 flame retardancy, and IEC 60754-1/2 and IEC 61034-1/2 low smoke, halogen-free requirements.
Additionally, marine coaxial cables must meet rigorous certification standards from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and classification societies such as DNV, ABS, and CCS, ensuring their performance and safety in critical marine applications.
About ONE WORLD
ONE WORLD specializes in raw materials for wire and cable manufacturing. We supply high-quality materials for coaxial cables, including copper tape, aluminum foil Mylar tape, and LSZH compounds, widely used in marine, telecom, and power applications. With reliable quality and professional support, we serve cable manufacturers worldwide.
Post time: May-26-2025