Cicoil Flat Silicone Cables have many advantages over PTFE jacketed flat cables. PTFE material has a reputation for low friction, and flat cables made with PTFE jackets target applications that demand a long life despite repeated flex cycles. One problem with PTFE flat cables is that their manufacturing process induces potential weaknesses in the cable. PTFE cabling is created by sintering together two half shells of PTFE material that sandwich conductors in between. The seam formed by the two half shells is a point of weakness that can eventually rupture after repeated flexing. Once ruptured, PTFE cable cannot be repaired; it must be replaced. Moreover, wires in the PTFE jacket are not held in place within the jacketing material. They can creep from their initial position or be pulled out of place by forces from the connections at the ends of the wires. To head off such difficulties, PTFE flat cable employs clamps at regular intervals along the cable, which adds cost and weight to the overall design. In linear motion applications, for example, these drawbacks of PTFE cable result in higher inertias for the motor to overcome, increased system vibration, and longer settling times, all of which reduce the performance of the system.

In contrast to PTFE flat cable, Cicoil Flat Silicone cable needs no clamping system because the conductors can’t creep out of the silicone encasing them. The encapsulating silicone also acts as a shock absorber, damping and reducing vibration. This further lengthens the life of the cable in applications characterized by severe shaking and oscillations.

When Cicoil Flat Silicone cables get a nick or puncture, they are self healing. The flexible silicone rubber closes around small discontinuities. Larger holes or cuts can easily be repaired in the field with RTV.