Arcwire PV 120 Polyvinyl Acetal Wire Enamel
Phenolic-modified polyvinyl acetal base enamel for class 120 E winding wire, applied on a wire enamelling line. It gives a tough film that resists hot mineral oil and abrasion during winding, and serves as a base under an Arcwire SB bondcoat.
Grade Arcwire PV 120 | Range Electrical Insulation and Wire Enamels | Technology Phenolic-modified polyvinyl acetal resin in organic solvent
Technical Data Sheet
Arcwire PV 120
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
A phenolic-modified polyvinyl acetal base enamel for class 120 E winding wire, the long-established film for oil-immersed transformer wire and for coils that are wound and formed hard. The film is tough, resistant to hot mineral oil and resistant to abrasion during winding, which is what keeps it in service on transformer wire although its thermal class sits at the bottom of the range. It also accepts an Arcwire SB bondcoat cleanly, so it is a usual base under a self-bonding construction.
2. Features
- Tough film that tolerates hard winding and forming
- Resistant to hot mineral transformer oil
- Accepts an Arcwire SB 155 bondcoat cleanly as a self-bonding base
- Built in six to ten thin passes on copper or aluminium conductor
- Not directly solderable: terminations are stripped, welded or crimped
3. Recommended uses
Winding wire for oil-immersed transformers and for coils that are wound and formed hard. Also used as the base enamel under a self-bonding overcoat.
Substrates. Bare round and rectangular copper conductor, and bare aluminium conductor, 0.20 mm to 1.60 mm diameter or the equivalent section.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Phenolic-modified polyvinyl acetal resin in organic solvent | Formulation |
| Appearance | Clear liquid, amber to brown | Visual inspection |
| Non-volatile matter | Low solids enamel; the figure for the batch supplied is stated on the Certificate of Analysis | ISO 3251 |
| Thermal class of the material | 120 E | IEC 60085 for the designation; thermal endurance to IEC 60216-1 |
| Temperature index, enamelled wire | 120 to 125 at the 20 000 h reference | IEC 60172 |
| Film build, increase in conductor diameter | Grade 1 typically 0.015 to 0.060 mm and grade 2 typically 0.025 to 0.090 mm increase in diameter, on round copper conductor of 0.20 to 1.60 mm | Limits per IEC 60317-0-1; dimensions measured to IEC 60851-2 |
| Breakdown voltage, twisted pair at ambient temperature | 3.5 to 11 kV on grade 2 wire, rising with conductor diameter and build | IEC 60851-5 |
| Flexibility and adherence after elongation | No cracking after 15 to 32 per cent elongation followed by winding on a mandrel of 1 to 3 times the conductor diameter | IEC 60851-3 |
| Heat shock | No cracking after 30 min at 140 °C (class temperature plus 20 K), wound on a mandrel of 1 to 5 times the conductor diameter | IEC 60851-6 |
| Resistance to hot transformer oil | Film retains its adherence and electric strength after immersion in hot mineral transformer oil for the time and temperature set in the wire specification | IEC 60851-4 |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Method | Wire enamelling line, die or felt application |
| Conductor preparation | Bare round or rectangular copper or aluminium conductor, 0.20 to 1.60 mm diameter or the equivalent section, annealed, clean, dry and free of drawing lubricant and heavy or loose oxide |
| Passes and build | Six to ten thin passes to grade 1 or grade 2 build, trimmed by adding or dropping a pass |
| Viscosity adjustment | Adjust only with the thinner specified for the grade, to suit die or felt application |
| Cure | Oven cured in sequence, with the evaporation and curing zones set against line speed; degree of cure followed by the dissipation factor transition, typically 130 °C to 160 °C (IEC 60851-5) |
| Next step | Optional Arcwire SB 155 bondcoat in the final passes. Not directly solderable: terminations are stripped, welded or crimped |
Process. Applied on a wire enamelling line by die or felt in six to ten thin passes. Oven cured in sequence, with the evaporation and curing zones set against line speed. Thermal class 120 E. Not directly solderable: terminations are stripped, welded or crimped.
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original closed containers indoors, in a dry place away from direct heat and frost, and stir before charging the applicator. Shelf life is stated on the label and Certificate of Analysis. Handle and use the product in line with its Safety Data Sheet.
7. Safety and regulatory information
Read the Safety Data Sheet before use. Safety Data Sheets and regulatory declarations are issued by our technical centre against the product and batch supplied, so they are sent on request rather than published. Request a Safety Data Sheet or declaration.
This Technical Data Sheet is published for on-screen reference. The information is given in good faith from laboratory and application experience and describes typical values; it is not a specification and does not replace a trial on your own substrate and line. Arctic Materials may revise this sheet without notice. Issue 2026.09.
Technical Data Sheets on this site are for on-screen viewing. For a controlled copy, write to tech@arcticmaterials.com.
Other grades in this range
Need a Safety Data Sheet, a regulatory declaration or a grade specified to your line? Contact our technical centre.