US custom compounder Teknor Apex (Pawtucket, Rhode Island; www.teknorapex.com) has expanded its low-cost series of “Halguard” halogen-free flame retardant (HFFR) compounds for general purpose wire and cable jacketing applications with the introduction of two compounds with enhanced flame retardance and one that exhibits lower post-extrusion shrinkage. The products will be launched at “Interwire 2015” (www.wirenet.org/events), held in Atlanta, Georgia / USA from 27 to 30 April.

The company said the compounds bring little compromise in performance compared with premium alternatives, while costing less. It recommends the materials for cable used in subway, mass transit, cell tower, data centre and infrastructure applications, as well as internal wiring in electrical and electronic equipment.

“Halguard” 58610 and 58615 are 53 Shore D compounds with UL 94 vertical burn ratings of V-0 for 1.59 mm thick specimens and oxygen indices of 52 and 45% respectively. Both comply with UL-1685 FT-4 and UL-1666 riser flame tests for more complex cable constructions. “Halguard” 58620 is a 54 Shore D compound that provides a low level of post-extrusion shrinkage for fibre optic cable applications and passes the UL-1685 flame test.