The uniformity and cohesion of layered tape wrapped insulation is a critical measurement of wire/cable quality. When exposed to elevated temperatures near insulation’s maximum temperature rating, the insulation will often soften, deform, and may cause insulation layers to lose adhesion and separate. This delamination of the insulation layers can lead to fluid ingress and impact system reliability.
By exposing a sample to a quick, elevated temperature shock, the delamination test is a means of determining if a wire/cable will be sufficiently durable based on the environmental conditions it will see in service.
Parameters that can be changed with this test include:
- Exposure temperature
- Post-test assessment
- Stress on the specimen during elevated temperature exposure
For the combined Blocking and Lamination testing as outlined in EN3475, please refer to the Delamination and Blocking page