Eliminate talc and mica

I'd like to stop using either talc or mica as a lubricating agent between conductors in a highly flexible multi-conductor cable using very soft PVC insulation. I want to eliminate the dust problem both the talc and mica create both in manufacturing and when the end user has to terminate the cable. Any ideas?

I have actually heard of a natural soap type material (Not a solid, low viscosity liquid or powder. More like a very high viscosity tallow, but not capable of becoming rancid.)being used to coat each wire during the stranding process but there are of course three issues:

1) Long and short term chemical compatibility.
2) Verification of the flex properties by flex testing.
3) Customer acceptance.

Best regards,

Peter Stewart-Hay
Stewart-Hay Associates
www.stewart-hay.com

Definition - Tallow - A solid fat extracted from the tissues and fatty deposits of animals, especially from suet (the fat of cattle and sheep). Pure tallow is white, odorless and tasteless; it consists chiefly of triglycerides of stearic, palmitic, and oleic acids. It is usually obtained commercially by heating suet under pressure in closed vessels. Tallow is used to make soap and candles. It was formerly in common use as a lubricant.

Try calcium stearate, not nearly as dusty as talk.

For information on calcium stearate please go to:

www.greatvistachemicals.com/surfactants_...alcium_stearate.html

and

www.specialchem4polymers.com/tc/Metallic...s/index.aspx?id=2404

Hi fellows, I used to use Mennen baby oil in its same bottle, I pick the top of the bottle with a pin to get a drop, then this drop goes to a sponge that has a hole where the cable pass.

the other way is to use tissue paper, this is very cheap and easy to put it longitudinally.

Good luck

Moderators Note: Please make sure that there is no environmental stress cracking issue with this oil.