Electric or optical cable

摘要

A cable resistant to abrasion, termites and ants comprises at least one elongate functional element coated with an exterior layer of a polyamide and an adjacent layer of an olefin polymer which comprises from 0.001 to 30% by weight of polar monomer selected from unsaturated acids and acid anhydrides. Other monomers and property-modifying polymers may also be present in the olefin polymer. These layers are applied in a single operation wherein at least one of the polymeric materials is in a fluid state when the materials are contacted. The invention permits the construction of a cable with an unusually thin polyamide layer e.g. 2mm or less. It also permits the extrusion of the layers on an aluminum-sheathed functional element without the need for an adhesion- promoting layer on the aluminium.