Comparison

XLPE Wire and Cable vs ABS

A side-by-side comparison of Cross-linked Polyethylene for Wire and Cable and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.

Property

XLPE Wire and Cable

ABS

Physical

Density

0.915-0.935 g/cm³

1.04 – 1.07 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

<0.1 %

0.20 – 0.45 %

Transparency

Opaque

Shrinkage

1-3 %

0.4 – 0.9 %

Specific Gravity

—

1.05

Surface Finish

—

Matte to glossy

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

0.2-0.5 GPa

1.8 – 2.5 GPa

Tensile Strength

15-25 MPa

40 – 50 MPa

Elongation at Break

200-500 %

10 – 50 %

Impact Strength (Izod)

No Break

200 – 400 J/m

Flexural Strength

—

60 – 80 MPa

Hardness (Rockwell R)

—

100 – 115

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature

-120 °C

105 °C

Melting Point

Non-meltable (degrades above 300°C)

Amorphous (no true Tm)

Continuous Service Temperature

90-120 °C

70 – 90 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

60-80 °C

85 – 100 °C

Thermal Conductivity

—

0.17 W/m·K

CTE

—

80 – 100 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

2.25-2.35

2.7 – 3.2

Volume Resistivity

>10¹⁵ Ω⋅cm

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

18-30 kV/mm

15 – 20 kV/mm

Surface Resistivity

—

10¹⁵ Ω

Chemical resistance

Acids

Good resistance

—

Bases

Good resistance

Good

Solvents

Good resistance in most solvents, swells in hot aromatic hydrocarbons

—

UV Resistance

Poor (requires stabilization)

Poor (unless stabilized)

Acids (dilute)

—

Good

Alcohols

—

Good

Oils & Greases

—

Fair

Gasoline

—

Poor

Acetone

—

Attacks / dissolves

Weathering

—

Poor without stabilizers

Sustainability

Recyclability

Recyclable (difficult due to cross-linking)

Recyclable (mechanical)

Recycling Code

2 (PE-HD)

7 (Other)

Carbon Footprint

Moderate

~3.1 kg CO₂e / kg

Bio-based Content

—

0 %