Why use it:

• Excellent optical safety: very low smoke and good flame resistance → widely used in plenum-rated cables (air-handling spaces).
• Transparent → useful when visual inspection of fibers is needed.
• Low friction → fibers slide easily inside tubes (important during installation).
• Good flexibility compared to PTFE.

Trade-offs:

• Not as flame-resistant or low-smoke as FEP.
• Higher friction → not as ideal for delicate fiber movement.

Typical use case:

Indoor fiber cables, especially in buildings with strict fire codes.

Why use it:

• High mechanical strength → better abrasion and crush resistance than FEP/PTFE.
• Good chemical resistance.
• Lower cost than PTFE/FEP in many cases.
• Slightly stiffer, which can help maintain structure.

Trade-offs:

• Not as flame-resistant or low-smoke as FEP.
• Higher friction → not as ideal for delicate fiber movement.

Typical use case:

Industrial or semirugged environments where durability matters more than fire performance.

Why use it:

• Outstanding toughness → very high abrasion and cut resistance.
• Radiation resistance → suitable for aerospace, nuclear, or high-radiation environments.
• Lightweight and thin-wall capability.

Trade-offs:

• Higher stiffness than FEP.
• Not as good in flame/smoke performance as FEP.

Typical use case:

Harsh environments (aviation, military, industrial robotics).

Why use it:

• Extreme temperature resistance (best in class).
• Ultra-low friction (even lower than FEP).
• Exceptional chemical resistance.

Trade-offs:

• Difficult to process (not melt-processable like FEP).
• Higher cost.
• Less flexible in practical cable constructions.

Typical use case:

Niche, extreme environments (high heat, aggressive chemicals).