PMA products provide the solution for difficult desert conditions

Manufactured from high-grade, specially modified polyamide materials, PMA AG cable protection systems have triumphed in evaluations for their suitability for use in desert conditions.

PMA products excel in desert conditions

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of cable protection systems, PMA have put their polyamide range of products to the test in some of the toughest conditions on the planet; from snow-topped mountain railways to pest-ridden environments – but now, PMA have one more box ticked, which supports the use of their products in many new areas.

Desert conditions present extremes of temperature, as well as an additional list of complications. In the day, dry, hot conditions can be expected with high UV exposure. At night, temperatures can sink far into minus figures. Add to this the need for a reliable, strong system which requires minimum maintenance and the search for a product to fit the bill can seem difficult.

PMA, however, have developed a broad range of systems which exhibit high resistance to UV, and remain unaffected chemically by either sand or salt. PA12 Black is one ‘super’ material which has been trialled under such conditions.

PMA has conducted a series of tests on their specially modified PA12 material to investigate the resistance of their polyamide conduits and fittings within a sand storm. The tests involved the use of a quartz sand blasting machine to simulate the extremities of such weather conditions. Conduits and fittings were subjected for 60 seconds to a jet of sand from such a machine at distances of 10cm and 20cm and at pressures of 4 bar and 6 bar.

With these tests designed to represent a far higher level of exposure than could ever be seen in the desert, the naturally occurring wind speeds and number of impacting grains of sand would be many factors lower in a real sand storm than simulated in this test. Since a real sand storm in the desert does not produce such intense local exposure at a single point and the grains of sand are likely to be much finer than the quartz sand used for the experiment, scientist concluded that a sand storm would be unlikely to cause any deterioration to PMA polyamide cable protection parts.

Philip Allington, PMA’s Application & Development Manager commented: “PMA PCS PA12 material has excellent abrasion and UV resistance characteristics. This conduit type is extremely tough and its material possesses very good damping characteristics. PCS will also resist well to the low humidity, which could cause some materials to become brittle. Combined with a high wall thickness, PCS is an ideal choice for applications in the desert.”

For more information, visit www.pma.ch or call Donna Clash at PMA’s UK head office on 01264 333 527 or email sales@pma-uk.com