I think that wouldn't have been PVC that early, the predecessors were something like Ethelene sheaths and likely with rubber insulation, one of the easy identifications often being the T&E (or just twin) tended to be not as flat as the earlier rubber or later PVC. I think PVC/PVC was the later half of 1950's, certainly rubber T&E was still being used into 1960's by some.
Have A Stab...
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I am referring to what I call the early PVC, plastic sort of cable. Certainly had no rubber in it (the stuff I am referring to). Not certain of the actual name, but still seems to be in very good condition now..
There certainly seemed to be a fairly long crossover period where plastic/pvc (forgive me for not knowing the exact names) cables and rubber cables were both available.
Oh yes it was a very long crossover, at least 10-15.
The very early plastic sheath was quite hard and stiff and IME rubber insulation, being difficult to work it was easy to damage the softer rubber insulation, the insulation of the early plastic/plastic tended to be the same and didn't strip nicely, quite often it would split like a banana skin.
These questions crop up from time to time and I wish I'd kept some bits I pulled out recently.
Most sources do, indeed, say "late 1950s". However, this one (click here) suggests a much earlier date ....
However, from what I understand (even I was too young back then to be aware of such things
), it certainly was late 50s /early 60s before it came into appreciable use. PVC cable certainly seemed to be 'the norm' (for new cable, by the time I was first 'aware' (probably mid 60s).
Yup , I think we are talking about when it gained “Street Cred”
When we say “plastic” we actually (usually mean Polymers or Hydro Carbons if you like) rather than a more accurate definition of anything that has plasticity. Including metals under some conditions.
Many everyday expressions become common such a hoover meaning any make of vacuum cleaner or megger meaning any make of insulation resistance tester.
Many everyday expressions become common such a hoover meaning any make of vacuum cleaner or megger meaning any make of insulation resistance tester.
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I've only seen it once or twice, but I've found what I believe to be a PVC predecessor in some houses in Trafford.
The sheath was light grey, like many of today's flat cables. But instead of being flat, the cable was slightly oval.
The insulation was firmer than PVC and not quite translucent, but the colours were not as rich, and the finish was shiny not matt like PVC.
The conductors were all stranded and tinned copper. It was called Ashathene.
The sheath was light grey, like many of today's flat cables. But instead of being flat, the cable was slightly oval.
The insulation was firmer than PVC and not quite translucent, but the colours were not as rich, and the finish was shiny not matt like PVC.
The conductors were all stranded and tinned copper. It was called Ashathene.
I think that was a type of polystyrene plastic. A similar material that used in some coax.
We certainly use the word "plastic" to refer to man-made / 'synthetic' polymers, but not necessarily polymers of hydrocarbons. Indeed, in the context of this discussion, PVC is obviously a polymer of vinyl chloride, which is not a hydrocarbon.
Furthermore, natural rubber is not only primarily a naturally-occurring polymer but IS a polymer of a hytdrocarbon (isoprene, C5H8, if I recall correctly) !
As you imply, the word "plastic" started life as an adjective, relating to the behaviour of a material under stress, as the sort-of 'opposite' of "elastic". In fact, the great majority of materials, including most metals, are 'plastic' (beyond a level of stress below which they often exhibit a degree of elasticity).
It wouldn't surprise me if EFLI might well regard the way we use "plastic" (as a noun) to be 'incorrect'
Kind Regards, John
I frequently tell you that obviously I cannot alter what has already been done but that is no reason for continuing to make and accept new mistakes as correct.It wouldn't surprise me if EFLI might well regard the way we use "plastic" (as a noun) to be 'incorrect'
Now go and of a cup have tea.
Yes and there was another name very similar also using ethalene (bear in mind the correct name for polythene is polyethalene [several ethalenes or polymer of?]). The earlier versions had rubber insulation.
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You do, but that doesn't help me to understand whether you feel that (as happened "in the past") the word "plastic" coming to be used to refer to certain types of polymer was "incorrect".
If that is your view, what do you feel should have happened - do you perhaps feel that some brand-new word should have been invented to refer to these materials, or what?
They did but, as I've just written, the main difference is whether or not the materials were man-made, given that natural 'rubber' is, I think, primarily polyisoprene ( unlike PVC, a true "hydrocarbon polymer").
Sadly making mistakes is a fact of life and many making the same mistake will eventually cause that mistake to become correct or fact. That is the beast called progress.
Does the same apply to your work?
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