Equipment wire, known as EcoWire, from Alpha Wire uses flexible Noryl insulation to provide an environmentally friendly alternative to PVC while reducing size and weight.

Noryl is a modified polyphenylene either (mPPE) thermoplastic that is inherently lighter, tougher and more flame resistance than PVC and contains no halogens, phthalates or heavy metals.  The result is a UL AWM wire from Alpha Wire that is thinner and lighter than wire using PVC­-based products and allows manufacturers to meet RoHS and WEEE directives.

The superior dielectric properties of mPPE allows a reduction of wall thickness so producing wire that is up to 45% thinner than those using PVC, polyethylene and cross-linked polyethylene while maintaining the same electrical properties.  In addition, the lower specific gravity provides a weight saving of up to 40%.

Although thinner, the insulation is tougher and has ten times better abrasion and pinch resistance than PVC, is oil resistant to Oil Res.1 and meets UL 1581 requirements for operation up to 105°C.  Another advantage is that with a higher temperature range than PVC, mPPE does not require secondary processing operations as is required when using cross-linked polyethylene.