Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) cables rely on massive loadings of inorganic flame retardants such as aluminum trihydrate (ATH) and magnesium hydroxide (MDH). These polar fillers do not bond naturally to non-polar polyolefin matrices, which is exactly where PE-g-MAH steps in as a coupling agent.
PE-g-MAH bridges the interface: its polyethylene backbone entangles with the polymer while its grafted maleic anhydride reacts with the hydroxyl groups on ATH/MDH. The result is dramatically improved filler dispersion, higher tensile strength, and better elongation at break — even at filler loadings above 60%.
For compounders, this means a cable that passes flame and smoke standards without becoming brittle.