Cable Jacket: PVC, PUR or Silicone - Which One?
The cable jacket protects the conductors from oil, heat, cold and abrasion. This guide compares PVC, PUR and silicone by the three decisive criteria and shows which material suits which application.
View cables and wiresWhat does the cable jacket do?
The outer jacket is a cable's protective shell. It keeps oil, coolant, heat, cold, UV and abrasion away from the conductors and determines how often a cable may be moved or routed. The three most common materials are PVC, PUR and silicone.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is the standard for fixed installation and normal environments. PUR (polyurethane) is the rugged choice for drag chains, oil and dirt. Silicone is used for high and low temperatures and for permanently flexible applications.
- PVC: economical, flame-retardant, good for fixed installation.
- PUR: highly abrasion- and oil-resistant, ideal for moving cables.
- Silicone: extreme temperature range and permanently flexible, but soft.
How do PVC, PUR and silicone compare?
Three properties drive the choice: oil resistance, temperature range and abrasion resistance. The table below lists typical reference values, which can vary by compound and manufacturer.
Matching connectors and pre-assembled cables for your application.
Read the guideWhich jacket fits which application?
Selection follows the application. Start with the highest and lowest temperature, then check the surrounding medium (oil, coolant, cleaning agents), and finally the movement: fixed routing, occasional movement or continuous flexing in a drag chain.
- Control cabinet and fixed routing: PVC is sufficient and low cost.
- Machine tool with oil and coolant: PUR for oil and abrasion resistance.
- Drag chain and robot arm: PUR for millions of bending cycles.
- Furnace, soldering, hot runner or refrigeration: silicone for extreme temperatures.
- Food industry and frequent cleaning: PUR (halogen-free) instead of PVC.
For fire safety and smoke behaviour, halogen-free jackets to EN 60754 and flame-retardant testing to EN 60332 are relevant. PUR and many silicones are halogen-free, while standard PVC contains halogens.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main advantage of PUR over PVC?
PUR is far more abrasion- and oil-resistant and stays flexible in the cold. That makes it ideal for drag chains, moving cables and oily environments where PVC wears out quickly.
When is silicone the right choice?
Silicone suits very high and very low temperatures of roughly -50 to +180 °C and stays permanently flexible. However, it is soft and not very oil-resistant, so it is unsuitable for highly abrasive or oily environments.
Is PVC still relevant?
Yes, for fixed installation in normal environments PVC is inexpensive, flame-retardant and sufficient. Near oil, movement or high temperatures, PUR or silicone is the better choice.
What does halogen-free mean?
Halogen-free jackets release no corrosive, toxic halogen gases in a fire (tested to EN 60754). This matters in public buildings, plants and food technology.
Looking for the right cable jacket?
We stock cables with PVC, PUR and silicone jackets for fixed installation, drag chains and high-temperature zones - matched to your application.
Standards-based
Materials assessed to EN 60332 and 60754.
Oil-resistant
PUR cables for oil and coolant.
Temperature-proof
Silicone for a lasting -50 to +180 °C.
Expert advice
We help you choose the material.