Materials

The outer material is a key factor when choosing a sensor, since it must be suitable for the application's ambient conditions. This is the only way to ensure reliable operation of machinery and plants. The following materials are used by Pepperl+Fuchs in manufacturing its sensors and the associated connection technology.

Sensor Materials

Brass Sensor Housing

Most cylindrical capacitive sensors from Pepperl+Fuchs have nickel-plated brass housing sleeves. Nickel-plated brass sensor housings are cost-effective and offer the mechanical resistance of a metal housing. This makes these housings multipurpose and ideal for many applications.

Typical applications: all applications in which no specific chemical properties or high impermeability are required.

Stainless Steel Sensor Housings in Multiple Alloys

Sensors with stainless steel housing are especially suited to use in aggressive ambient conditions. This type of steel is stainless, meaning that housings of this design boast ideal protection against corrosion. They are therefore suitable for harsh industrial environments. If a low-alloy stainless steel (1.4305, in the "GS" type code) is not sufficient for special applications, Pepperl+Fuchs has sensors in higher-alloy stainless steel housings (1.4404, type code "GH").

Typical applications: applications in which increased protection against corrosion is required, such as outdoor applications. However, stainless steel housings can be used where the sensor comes into contact with aggressive media, or where frequent cleaning cycles with high-pressure cleaners are to be expected.

PTFE Sensor Housing

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is known in particular as a nonstick coating in frying pans, but it is also utilized in sensor technology—for example in welding applications. Welding beads on PTFE-coated sensors cannot burn into the plastic parts or otherwise adhere to the sensor, but instead roll off straightaway. This makes these sensors welding-bead resistant.

Typical applications: detection applications in vehicle body building in the vicinity of welding robots.

PBT Sensor Housing

Semi-crystalline, glass-fiber-reinforced polybutylenterephtalate (PBT) has various properties that make it an attractive option for sensor housing material. PBT is geometrically accurate, abrasion-resistant, heat-resistant, and cold-resistant. PBT housings also provide resistance to hydrocarbons (e.g., trichloroethylene), acids (e.g., 28 % sulphuric acid), sea water, and water heated to +70 °C.

Typical applications: standard applications in industrial environments without special requirements.

PPS Sensor Housing

Pepperl+Fuchs uses the particularly heat-resistant PPS (polyphenylensulfide) for sensors used in ambient temperatures up to +150 °C. The crystalline material is dimensionally stable up to +200 °C. The electronics are vacuum-encapsulated with casting resin in sensors with PPS housing.

Typical applications: operating environments with high ambient temperatures

Polyamide Sensor Housing

Polyamides are materials with high strength, torsional rigidity, and impact strength. Sensor housings made of this material offer resistance to diluted lyes, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, gasoline, alcohols, esters, ketones, fats, and oils. However, polyamides are susceptible to strong acids.

Typical applications: standard applications in industrial environments without special requirements.

Special Line Qualities at Pepperl+Fuchs

PVC-U (UL Recognized Component)

Cables in proven PVC quality for standard requirements.

Features:

• Approvals: CE, UL/CSA
• Flame-retardant

Typical application: transport and packaging industry

PUR-U (UL Recognized Component)

A cable in flexible PUR quality for high cyclical bending stresses.

Features:

• Suitable for conveyor chains
• Approvals: CE, UL/CSA
• Flame-retardant
• Halogen-free
• Resistant to hydrolysis

Typical applications:conveyor chains, machine tools, plant construction, paint processing, automotive industry. Especially for the North American market

PUR-A (Automotive)

PUR-A cables are an alternative to irradiated polyurethane cables used in the automotive sector. In addition, PUR-U cable can be recycled and can be disposed of easily.

Features:

• Welding-bead resistant
• Suitable for conveyor chains
• Approvals: CE, UL/CSA
• Flame-retardant
• Halogen-free
• Resistant to hydrolysis

Typical applications: automotive industry, welding systems, plants in the North American market

PUR-A1 (Automotive)

PUR cables for the automotive industry.

Features:

• Welding-bead resistant
• Suitable for conveyor chains
• Approvals: CE, UL/CSA
• Flame-retardant
• Halogen-free
• Resistant to hydrolysis

Typical application: automotive industry (e.g., Volkswagen)

PUR-R (Robotics)

PUR cable, which is particularly suited to use in robotics.

Features:

• Highly flexible
• Torsion-resistant
• Suitable for conveyor chains
• Approvals: CE, UL/CSA
• Flame-retardant
• Resistant to hydrolysis
• Resistant to sea water
• Oil-resistant

Typical application: robotic arms

PUR-O (Outdoor)

Durable cable for harsh outdoor ambient conditions.

Features:

• UV-resistant
• Microbe-resistant
• Low fuming
• Approvals: CE, UL/CSA
• Flame-retardant
• Halogen-free
• Resistant to hydrolysis
• Resistant to sea water
• Oil-resistant

Typical applications: mobile equipment, uses involving high ultraviolet radiation exposure, e.g., at sea level or in high mountains

PUR-O6

Cable with rail approval.

Features:

• Approved for vehicle interiors
• Extended low temperature range
• Extended high temperature range
• Especially oil and fuel resistant
• Approval: CE
• Flame-retardant
• Halogen-free
• Irradiated molecules

Typical applications: rail vehicles, vehicle interiors

POC (polyolefin compound)

High-quality cable for strong thermal requirements.

Features:

• Resistant to high temperatures
• Welding-bead resistant
• Fuel-resistant
• Flame-retardant
• Halogen-free
• Resistant to hydrolysis
• Oil-resistant
• Cross-linked molecules

Typical applications: automotive industry, welding systems, steel industry

PVC with STOOW

PVC cable for harsh ambient conditions, intended exclusively for use in North America.

Features:

• Approvals: UL/CSA. Pepperl+Fuchs products of this type do not have CE approval and are therefore not available in Europe. STOOW approval. "STOOW" is a cable classification with the following material properties: S = operating class (also "extra harsh operation"), T = thermoplastic, OO = insulation of conductor and outer sheath are oil-resistant, W = outdoor durability, including sun-resistant sheath and conductor suitable for wet sites.
• High mechanical and electrical load capacity
• Notch-resistant
• Oil-resistant
• Intended for 7/8" connectors
• Suitable for mains power supply

Typical applications: installation in cable ducts and cable racks

PP (PP-EPDM)

Cables for the food & beverage sector.

Features:

• Uses FDA-compliant materials
• Approvals: CE
• ECOLAB® approval
• Generally high chemical resistance
• Extended high temperature range
• Resistant to common acid and alkaline cleaning products and disinfectants
• Suitable for conveyor chains
• Halogen-free

Typical application: in the food processing industry