Vulcanized rubber and polyethylene coated wires, molded specimens, and rubber‐to‐metal bonded test samples were buried in both alkaline and acid soils to determine the effects of these environments. Results show that:
Most wire samples suffered a loss in insulation resistance, but retained their physical strength.
Insect and rodent chewing have caused varying test results in the dumbbell‐shaped molded samples.
Rubber‐to‐metal bonds have failed due to corrosion in most samples using aluminum and cold‐rolled steel, while stainless steel samples have retained strong bonds. The adhesion of insulations to aluminum conductors has also failed.
Black, chemically crosslinked polyethylene has been essentially unaffected by soil exposure.
Soil burial test exposures of improved and more recent materials are continuing.
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