PTFE materials are best for use in vacuum environments because they don’t have any process additives, oils, lubricants, or plasticizers added to the material.

How does vacuum affect various cable materials?

It depends on the application and pressure level. Remember: Vacuum is just a very low level of pressure. PTFE materials are best for use in vacuum because they don't have any process additives, oils, lubricants, or plasticizers added to the material. Anything that is added to the cable's insulation, jacket, conductors, or shield wires will outgas under vacuum, and when cable materials outgas, they condense on cooler surfaces — typically the critical surfaces being worked on. This in turn can fog or damage the surfaces. Case in point: A satellite's optics can be fogged during manufacture by silicone oil outgassed from cable. PTFE is chemically inert and has no materials that outgas, so it passes the toughest NASA and ESA requirements.

In aerospace design, some of our biggest cable issues are abrasion and cut-through in doors and landing gear. How can we improve performance?

Cable routing is the most obvious way to reduce abrasion and cut-through, but routing can only go so far because you have to clamp tightly and it is a very cold environment in the wheel well. These cables are also exposed to contaminants such as salt spray and hydraulic fluids. A cable containing engineered PTFE materials is suitable here.

For more information, call (800) 445-4673 or visit www.gore.com.

Improving cable reliability in harsh environments

Want to learn more about specifying cable for difficult environmental conditions? Check out this on-demand webinar presented by W. L. Gore & Associates Inc. Go to www.motionsystemdesign.com and click on the Webinars button. This presentation investigates the impact of harsh environments on cable systems and some of the variables engineers can control to improve performance. Learn about:

• Electrical, mechanical, and environmental factors that affect cable performance
• Unique challenges of harsh environments
• Impact of application-specific constraints
• Importance of selecting the right materials
• Crucial factors in cable selection
• Proven testing methods to ensure reliable performance