Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to laser-markable insulation material and cable or wire assemblies containing such insulation material. In certain embodiments, the laser-markable insulation material can include a fluoropolymer and an inorganic laser-markable pigment. The pigment can have a mean crystal size in a range of about 0.4 microns to about 2 microns and/or a median particle size (d50) in a range of about 0.45 microns to about 2 microns. The insulation material can exhibit improved initial and heat-aged contrast ratios without diminishing the ability of a cable or wire containing the insulation material to meet industry standards for electric-arc tracking and propagation resistance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of making an article comprising PTFE, methods of making expanded articles comprising PTFE, articles comprising PTFE, and expanded articles comprising PTFE having improved mechanical and electrical performance and particularly reduced variability in mechanical, electrical and dimensional properties, particularly over long lengths.