A new halogen free, flame retardent plastic has been introduced by Swedish based Partex Marking Systems AB. This environmentally friendly, non-flammable material is now used as an alternative in the company’s multi-character marking products. Called Zerex, the new thermoplastic is a polyether based polyurethane compound, PUC. It can withstand temperatures from -30°C up to +100°C and is suitable for use under prolonged periods in hostile or outdoor environments.

The self extinguishing properties of the new plastic means that, should a blaze occur, it will not contribute towards flames spreading through-out a system. The risk of re-kindling is also said to be almost non-existent. The material’s flammability resistance has been approved according to the UL 94-VO standard. Zerex is virtually solvent-proof and by avoiding PVC materials, the problem of oxidation caused by the release of hydrochloric acid and dioxins has almost been eliminated. The manufacturer says that the plastic is, therefore, ideally suited for use in sensitive environments.
Markers made from the new material come as threadable sleeves available either in yellow or white. By eliminating a number of separate sections, threading time, and thereby costs can be cut by up to 50 per cent, says the company. Combined with computer-based marker administration systems such as the Partex R-format, designed for users of CAD based programmes, the likelihood of marking errors occurring is said to be non-existent. By defining and entering marking information at the design phase, and transferring data via modem or on a floppy disk, characters cannot be mixed up during installation.
Up to 15 characters can be printed on a single sleeve which slides simply in place over the cable to be marked. The inherent flexibility of the Zerex material means that a wide range of varying sized cables and tubes can be catered for using fewer standard sleeve diameters. Characters are either etched or thermo transferred into the surface of the sleeves. Solutions comprising more than 15 characters of varying sizes are available on request.
The completed sleeve sections are packaged in the quantities and order in which they will be fitted in an installation. Also included are installation sheets and/or connection tables which eases marking on site. Marking data includes any required character sequences and pagination. Delivery times are around one week, say the manufacturer. For users who want to create custom markers on site using the new material profile, a special bench-top marking machine is available./ins

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A new environmentally friendly, halogen free, flame retardent plastic, Zerex, has been introduced by Swedish based Partex Marking Systems AB as an alternative in all the company’s multi-character marking products.

For further information contact:
Partex Marking Systems AB
Ms. Lena Sjöstrand
P.O. Box 80, S-570 22 Gullspång, Sweden
Tel: +46 551 205 60, Fax: +46 551 205 69