COMMUNICATION CABLE HAVING CORE WRAP BINDER WHICH PROVIDES WATER BLOCKING AND STRENGTH PROPERTIES

Communication Cable Having A Core Wrap Binder Which Provides Water-Blocking and Strength Properties A communication cable (20) includes a core (22) comprising a plurality of transmission media having a relatively supple layer (26) of a plastic material wrapped thereabout. Disposed about the layer of plastic material and in engagement therewith is a relatively rigid inner plastic jacket (28). Disposed about the inner jacket are additional components of a sheath system such as metallic shields and one or more additional plastic jackets. Interposed between the relatively supple layer of plastic material and the jacket is a water-blocking system which comprises two elongated strand materials (42, 44) such as yarns. The two elongated strand materials are wrapped helically about the layer of plastic material in opposite helical directions. The elongated strand materials are characterized by being yarn blends which comprise a portion of water-blocking filaments and a portion of relatively high strength filaments. The elongated strand materials are effective to intercept water which may travel along the cable between the relatively supple layer of plastic material and the jacket which is contiguous hereto. In addition, the relatively high tensile strength of the strand materials provides additional physical support to maintain the supple plastic material tightly around the transmission media.