1. Cable typeTemperature Sensitivity Radiation Sensitivity Remarks Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) SensitiveNot sensitiveEmbrittlement at elevated temp. Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE) SensitiveNot sensitiveEmbrittlement at high temp. and under radiation Heat resistant PVCSensitiveEmbrittlement at > 105 C Polypropylene/ Polyethylene (PP/PE) Sensitive Flexibility lost at elevated temp, radiation Polytetraflouro- ethylene (PTFE) Not sensitiveSensitiveCracking due to embrittlement Fire retardant low smoke PVC Not sensitive Good performance Ethylene Poly- propylene rubber (EPR) No degradation Cellular Polyethylene (VPE) No degradation Silicon Rubber (SIR)Insulation failure possible after 25 years

2. European Polymer Journal, 1973, Vol. 9, pp. 219-225

3. Journal of Applied Polymer Science DOI 10.1002

6. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology 46 (1998) 96103

8. Chem. Mater. 2005, 17, 5235-5237

9. Epoxy fatigue JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE 30 (1995) 1266-1272