Abstract: The effect of thermal aging on ignition time, heat release rate of the specimens of YJV cables was studied by means of thermal aging chamber, cone calorimeter and thermogravimetric (TG). The test data indicated that the ignition time of the specimens increased and the first peak value of heat release rate decreased with ageing time in early thermal aging period. This suggest that the fire hazard of the plastics in YJV cables would be reduced considerably while subjected to the thermal aging in early period in which most of the additives in plastic of cable was heated to volatilized from cable.

Key words: cable jacket insulation compound, thermal aging, combustion performance