Patent ID: 9058918
Filing Date: 2015-06-16
Classification: H01B

Abstract:
1. A method for preparing a water tree-resistant cable sheath, the method comprising the steps of: A. Contacting a water tree-resistant agent with a solid polyethylene polymer outside an extrusion apparatus and at a temperature between about 25° C. and 100° C., wherein the water tree-resistant agent comprises a polyethylene glycol selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene glycol having a weight average molar mass of less than 700 g/mol and which is liquid at 23° C., a polyethylene glycol having a weight average molar mass of from 700 g/mol to 2,000 g/mol which is heated to at or above the melting point of the polyethylene glycol so that the polyethylene glycol is in liquid form during the contacting, and combinations thereof, B. Allowing the solid polyethylene polymer to stand until the agent is absorbed into the solid polymer, C. Transferring the solid polyethylene polymer with the absorbed agent to an extrusion apparatus, and D. Extruding the polyethylene polymer with absorbed agent onto a sheathed or unsheathed wire or optic fiber.