Published: 2026-08-21
'Marine-resistant cables' are not just a concept, but solid materials science. The damage caused by seawater to cables mainly comes from three sources: chloride ion penetration corrosion, marine organism attachment, and ultraviolet aging.
Let's start with chloride ions. Ordinary PVC sheaths will be slowly eroded by chloride ions when soaked in seawater for a long time, causing the sheath to harden and crack, allowing moisture to seep into the cable core through the gaps, and the insulation resistance to drop sharply. The sheaths of seawater-resistant cables usually use chloroprene rubber (CR) or polyether polyurethane (PUR). Chloroprene rubber itself has excellent salt spray resistance, while polyether PUR provides both hydrolysis resistance and wear resistance. Both are mainstream choices for marine conditions.
The second type of damage is marine organism attachment. Barnacles and mollusks attach to the surface of the cable, causing long-term wear on the sheath. The countermeasure is to have a dense and smooth sheath surface with moderate hardness, and if necessary, add an outer protective layer to prevent biological attachment.
The third type is ultraviolet rays. The sections laid on the water are exposed to long-term sunlight, so the sheath needs a UV-resistant formulation; otherwise, it will crack within 1-2 years.
Selection Recommendations: For permanent underwater installations, choose a chloroprene rubber sheath; for scenarios with frequent dragging or movement, choose a polyether-type PUR; for sections exposed on the water surface, UV-resistant formulations must be confirmed. Shanghai Suoqi manufactures seawater-resistant cables designed for triple conditions of seawater immersion, dragging, and UV exposure, and supports customization according to water depth and laying method.
About Shanghai Suoqi
Shanghai Suoqi Electric Wire & Cable Co., Ltd. is a specialized cable enterprise focusing on the research and development, design, production, and sales of special flexible cables. The company's products cover a series including reel cables, flat cables, drag chain cables, encoder cables, polyurethane cables, seawater-resistant cables, seawater-resistant network cables, and high-altitude vehicle cables, which are widely used in ports machinery, mining, industrial automation, marine engineering, and other fields. For more product information or inquiries, please call 13311756197 (same number on WeChat).