COLORING METHOD OF SURFACES OF CROSSSLINKED RUBBER OR PLASTICCCOATED ELECTRIC WIRES AND CABLES

摘要

PURPOSE:To considerably simplify the coloring method of surfaces of cross-linked rubber or plastic-coated electric wires and cables by forming a thin film of a thermoplastic elastomer containing colorant on the cross-linked rubber or plastic coating layers. CONSTITUTION:Thermoplastic elastomers exhibit substantially the same degree of rubber elasticity or flexibility as cross-linked rubber and plastic coating materials at application temperature range thereof. They also exhibit a thermoplastic flow during high temperature processing. This invention makes the use of those properties of thermoplastic elastomers. A thermoplastic elastomer is mixed with colorant and then applied in the form of a thin layer on the surfaces of cross-linked rubber and plastic-coating layers. This invention reduces the labor and time required for changing the color of cross-linked rubber or plastic-coated electric wires and cables and can improve the productivity, without causing any damages on the properties and performances of electric wires and cables coated with a rubber or plastic coating material.