Braid material playing a key role in industrial applications

Shantanu Banerjee, President, Performance Materials, Coats, said: “We are proud of our stringent global manufacturing standards which enable us to provide products across the world with consistent quality and performance.”

The main product Coats is supplying is Aptan XTRU, a coated engineered yarn specifically designed to braid a protective cover over wiring harness systems. It is manufactured from high temperature resistant PVC polymer, which allows the harness to remain flexible at low temperatures but also able to dissipate heat.

It can withstand contact with chemicals and fuels and also has good resistance to abrasion. Being able to tolerate extreme mechanical stresses is particularly important for equipment operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which often experiences vibrations even when ticking over in idle mode. Aptan XTRU therefore helps enhance the broader operation of many types of vehicles across sectors including automotive, marine, aerospace and agriculture (see image).

The other products Coats is supplying are types of Gral XTRU, a coated polyester braid yarn which features heat, chemical and abrasion resistance. Gral XTRU PVDF (Fluoropolymer) is capable of withstanding continuous heat exposure to +150°C for over ten years. It tends to be used to protect the fuel injector harnesses installed inside engines. Gral XTRU TPE (Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer) is capable of withstanding heat exposure of up to +138°C and is often used for internal transmission applications.