Explore SAF™ Water-Blocking Benefits

Super Absorbent Fibre (SAF™) has been used in the cable industry, in spun yarn format, for a number of years. Globally, it has become established as a raw material for water-blocking applications – along with a number of other proven technologies. Its manufacturer – Technical Absorbents – is now working closely with its yarn spinning partners to raise further awareness of ‘dry’ spun SAF™ yarns, help educate the industry about their benefits and ultimately encourage stakeholders to consider the superabsorbent technology when manufacturing or specifying cables.

Damaged cables can start to take on water. A SAF™ spun yarn will rapidly absorb the water at the point of damage and swell to form a water impermeable barrier, blocking further ingress. Such yarns are cost-effective, lightweight and the absorption rate and swell height can meet specification by selecting the most appropriate fibre grades/blends.

“There are potential cost reductions to be made,” explains Commercial Director Paul Rushton. “In some instances, it is possible to just use the one type of SAF™ spun yarn throughout the whole cable. As a result, manufacturers could make some significant savings on water-blocking raw materials and not have to stock-pile different products.”

The yarns are supplied on bobbins, easy to onward process, require fewer line stops and can be wrapped around or placed along the length of a cable in voids vulnerable to water penetration. As the SAF™ is spun with other staple fibres, the yarns have excellent absorbency profiles and shedding and dusting is limited.

“We are simply asking the cable industry to trial SAF™ spun yarns,” explains Commercial Director Paul Rushton, “either in conjunction with other water-blocking materials or alone. We can help supply samples and would be keen to talk to anyone interested in learning more.”