Dow’s Next-Generation TR-XLPE Insulation Wins R&D 100

Dow Electrical & Telecommunications, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), has won the prestigious R&D 100 Award for its latest generation of TR-XLPE insulation, DOW ENDURANCE™ HFDC-4202 EC (C4202). This award celebrates the most significant technology inventions of the past year.

The compound was recognized for its patented formulation technology enabling improved performance through extended cable life and enhanced cable reliability, while reducing the system’s total life-cycle cost for electric utility owners. C4202 is a next generation product in a family of proven Dow TR-XLPE compounds. Since 1983, Dow Electrical & Telecommunications (E&T) has provided enough TR-XLPE compound to produce cables that circle the earth more than eight times.

Cables insulated with DOW ENDURANCE™ HFDC-4202 EC meet – and even exceed – certification requirements around the world, including: the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC), the Insulated Cable Engineers Association (ICEA), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Normas Mexicanas (NMX) requirements for cables rated up to 46 kV. In addition, the product meets Russian GOST R 55025 and European CENELEC standards, as well as enhanced German VDE requirements.

DOW ENDURANCE™ HFDC-4202 EC insulation for medium voltage underground cables offers:

•     Enhanced electrical performance (projected longer cable life according to Accelerated Cable Life Tests [ACLT] and Accelerated Water Tree Tests [AWTT])
•     Lower and consistent insulation shield strip force for ease of installation
•     Improved heat resistance – meets 105°C cable rating
•     Enhanced robustness during cable manufacturing
•     Lower total costs over the lifetime of the system

Six additional Dow innovations were also named to R&D Magazine’s 2015 R&D 100 Awards, where Dow was once again the leading innovator, with the greatest number of finalists and winners of any single developer.