Jim Williams wrote on Tue, 02 June 2009 21:06 |
... The Kimber uses 10,000 volt high purity teflon insulation. It's drawn over the wire creating a vacuum seal to keep oxygen out.
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Jim,
I have to say this - many people (even cable manufacturers) are not specific which
Teflon they are referring to. DuPont uses Teflon brand name for its
PTFE (Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene), for
FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene), as well as for
PFA (Per Fluoro Alcoxy). The 3 thermo-plastics have very different dielectric properties, processing methods and applications. For most audio signal purposes, I would think PTFE is the best (low dielectric constant, low dissipation factor, very high volume & surface resistivities), even though FEP is sometimes used.
If "10,000 volt teflon insulation" refers to its break-down voltage (BDV), yes, even 0.010" (0.25 mm) radial wall thickness of PTFE insulation will have BDV in excess of 10,000 volts, less or more depending on insulation thickness. But, is BDV of much relevance in this discussion?
As regards keeping oxygen out when processing insulation over the wire, every well-made wire should be so. Something I have said before in another thread, in my 23 years' experience of putting PTFE insulation over Silver Plated copper conductors, I have never come across tarnished silver plating when I strip the insulation years, even decades, later.
Regards.
Mukul