Magnesium Hydroxide Synergistic Graphene: A New Generation of Fireproof Signal Cable

The combination of magnesium hydroxide and graphene, two new materials, provides a new technological path for the development of fire-resistant signal cables. By combining the flame retardant properties of magnesium hydroxide with the excellent thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of graphene, a new generation of fire-resistant signal cables has been developed, demonstrating significant advantages in fire resistance, environmental friendliness, and structural stability, and is gradually becoming a focus of attention in the high-end cable market.

1、 Challenges faced by traditional signal cables

The widely used signal cables currently use organic materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), or cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) as insulation layers and sheaths. Although these materials have good electrical performance and processability, they have obvious shortcomings in high temperature or fire environments:

Easy to burn and release toxic gases: Ordinary plastic materials will quickly carbonize, melt, and produce a large amount of smoke and harmful gases when exposed to fire, affecting personnel evacuation and equipment operation.

Poor fire resistance: Once the external temperature exceeds the material limit, the cable may fail instantly, causing signal interruption.

Lack of long-term stability: After being used in humid and corrosive environments for a period of time, problems such as aging and cracking are prone to occur.

These issues have prompted the industry to continuously explore safer and more efficient alternative materials to enhance the reliability of signal cables under extreme conditions.

2、 The fire prevention advantages of magnesium hydroxide

Magnesium hydroxide (Mg (OH) ₂), as a green and environmentally friendly inorganic flame retardant, has been widely recognized in the field of wires and cables in recent years. Its main advantages include:

Efficient endothermic decomposition: Dehydration decomposition begins when heated to about 340 ℃, absorbing a large amount of heat and effectively reducing flame propagation speed;

Good smoke suppression effect: The decomposition products are water vapor and magnesium oxide, which do not produce toxic gases and meet the high requirements of modern buildings for fire safety;

Neutralizing acidic substances: can neutralize acidic gases during combustion, reducing secondary damage to equipment and the environment;

Environmentally friendly halogen-free: does not contain halogen elements, does not produce carcinogenic smoke after combustion, suitable for sensitive places such as subways, hospitals, schools, etc.

However, magnesium hydroxide itself also has certain limitations, such as the possibility of material brittleness and decreased flexibility when filled in large quantities. Therefore, although the use of magnesium hydroxide alone can improve the fire resistance of cables, there is still room for improvement in overall performance.

3、 The unique properties and potential applications of graphene

Graphene is a two-dimensional material composed of a single layer of carbon atoms, known as the "king of new materials", with the following outstanding characteristics:

Ultra high thermal conductivity: The thermal conductivity can reach 5000 W/(m · K), which helps to dissipate heat quickly and avoid local overheating;

Excellent conductivity: With extremely high electron mobility, it can enhance the uniformity of the electric field distribution inside the cable;

Superb mechanical performance: With a tensile strength of up to 130 GPa, it greatly enhances the material's wear resistance and compressive strength;

Good chemical stability: It hardly reacts with any chemicals at room temperature and is suitable for use in complex environments.

Introducing graphene into the cable material system not only enhances the overall physical properties, but also improves the density and thermal conductivity of the material at the microscopic level, providing the possibility for achieving higher levels of fire resistance and stability performance.

4、 The synergistic effect of magnesium hydroxide and graphene

Magnesium hydroxide and graphene are not simply used in combination, but are scientifically proportioned and composite modified to form a new type of fire-resistant material system with complementary functions and synergistic properties. The specific advantages are reflected in the following aspects:

1. Significant enhancement of thermal protection performance

The high thermal conductivity of graphene can quickly dissipate heat from the interior of cables in the early stages of a fire, while magnesium hydroxide slows down temperature rise through endothermic decomposition. The combination of the two can effectively extend the working time of cables at high temperatures.

2. Optimization of material mechanical properties

The addition of graphene can compensate for the brittleness problem caused by magnesium hydroxide filling, making the cable sheath and insulation layer have better flexibility and bending resistance while maintaining high strength.

3. Comprehensive cost is more advantageous

Compared to using high-performance but expensive materials alone, the synergistic combination of magnesium hydroxide and graphene can reduce unit costs and enhance product market competitiveness while ensuring performance.

With the continuous improvement of national fire prevention standards for buildings and the acceleration of intelligent and information-based construction, the demand for the application of fire-resistant signal cables will continue to grow. The synergistic combination of magnesium hydroxide and graphene represents one of the development directions for high-performance cable materials in the future.

For technical personnel engaged in architectural design, electrical engineering, and related industries, a deep understanding of the technical characteristics and application value of this new material combination can help make more scientific and forward-looking decisions in future project selection, thereby comprehensively improving the safety level and sustainable development capability of signal systems.