Cable filling and flooding compounds are normally semi-solid at room temperature and fluid in varying degrees at elevated temperatures. They are normally applied in a liquid state and at an elevated temperature during wire and cable manufacturing. The completed finished wire or cable is exposed to various ambient conditions during its useful life. If not carefully selected, components of filling or flooding compounds have the potential to degrade the materials they contact, short term or long term. The following methods are intended to minimize the chances of such problems occurring.

Some of the effects that might occur include, but are not limited to:

4.2.1 Delamination of coated metal shields or screens in completed wire and cable. Delamination is primarily a function of the test temperature and the type of laminant used, so test results are unlikely to vary significantly between filling or flooding compounds of a common family (for example, petroleum based filling or flooding compounds).

4.2.2 Degradation of physical properties of insulation, jackets, core coverings, etc. Likely manifestations of degradation of plastic material include embrittlement of some materials and excessive softening of other materials.

Since the magnitude of any given effect will vary, some test procedures will be more critical than others. It is not, therefore, intended that every listed procedure be performed with every compatibility study. Perform procedures to the extent required by product specifications or as agreed upon between the producer and the purchaser.