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Product

ESCC 3901/018 spacecraft equipment wireESA ESCC 3901/018−200 °C to +200 °CTML < 1.0 % / CVCM < 0.1 %

ESCC 3901-018 Space-Grade Polyimide/Fluoropolymer Equipment WireESA ESCC 3901/018 600 Vrms −200…+200 °C polyimide/fluoropolymer low-outgassing spacecraft

Space-grade ultra-lightweight equipment wire, twisted pair and shielded harness cable (ESCC 3901-018) built to European Space Agency ESCC Detail Specification 3901/018, rated 600 Vrms from −200 °C to +200 °C with silver-plated copper or high-strength.

Flame-retardant
Ozone, UV & moisture
Low-EMC design
Approved
Order designation
ESCC 390101803B (1×24)
Configuration
1 × 24 AWG Single
Max OD
0.90 mm
Max DC R20
102.0 Ω/km
Max mass
2.40 g/m
All sizes (12)
Request a quoteDatasheetWhatsApp
Engineering reply in 2 business hoursCut-to-length export drumsEN 10204 3.1 certificate per drum
Voltage rating
600 Vrms
Sea level to hard space vacuum
Temperature
−200 to +200 °C
Cryogenic eclipse to solar exposure
Outgassing
TML<1% CVCM<.1%
ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C / ASTM E595
Size range
28 to 12 AWG
1C, 2C, 3C, 4C & Shielded
Conductor
AgCu / AgAlloy
≥ 2.0 µm silver plating
Radiation
≥ 100 Mrad
GEO/LEO electron & proton resistant

Typical values for this cable type, based on ESA ESCC Detail Specification 3901/018 & ESCC Generic Specification 3901 — confirmed in the datasheet and quotation for your order.

Application fit

Is ESCC 3901-018 right for your machine?

Engineered for LEO, MEO, GEO and deep-space satellite platforms, scientific payloads, and launch-vehicle avionics where mass, outgassing, arc-tracking resistance and radiation stability are mission-critical.

Switchgear & control cabinet wiring

Suitable

Thin-wall polyimide/PTFE composite cuts satellite harness mass by up to 35 % and passes UV laser wire marking.

Furnace, kiln & high-temp zone

Suitable

Operates continuously from −200 °C liquid-nitrogen/eclipse cold to +200 °C solar vacuum thermal peaks.

Fixed installation

Suitable

Sintered PTFE fluoropolymer topcoat eliminates pure-polyimide hydrolysis and wet arc-tracking (polyimide flashover).

Energy chain / drag chain

With conditions

Standard 19-strand constructions suit solar-array deployment hinges; specify extra-flexible 37-strand for gimbal loops.

Typical machinesLEO / MEO / GEO Communications & Earth-Observation SatellitesDeep-Space Scientific Probes & Optical Telescope PayloadsExpendable & Reusable Launch-Vehicle Upper-Stage AvionicsSpace-Station Pressurised & Unpressurised External HarnessesUltra-High-Vacuum (UHV) Synchrotron & Cryogenic Chambers

Construction

Layer by layer

Representative ESCC 3901/018 build: 19-strand silver-plated high-strength copper alloy (28–24 AWG) or silver-plated annealed copper (22–12 AWG) with ≥ 2.0 µm silver coating + wrapped polyimide film + sintered fluoropolymer (PTFE/FEP) outer barrier; shielded variants add a ≥ 90 % silver-plated copper braid and sintered PTFE/polyimide outer jacket.

12345
Schematic, not to scale — generated from the layer data
#LayerMaterial & reference
1Silver-plated copper (SPC) or high-strength copper alloy (SPCA)19-strand or 37-strand conductor with ≥ 2.0 µm pure silver plating: high-strength CuAg/CuCrZr alloy on 28–24 AWG for vibration survival, soft ETP copper on 22–12 AWG for low DC dropWithstands launch random vibration (≥ 20 Grms), prevents red-plague corrosion and enables space-grade soldering or crimping
2Wrapped polyimide film primary dielectricHelically lapped aromatic polyimide tape thermally sealed around the conductorProvides exceptional dielectric breakdown strength (> 150 kV/mm), cut-through resistance and 100 Mrad radiation durability
3Sintered PTFE fluoropolymer outer barrierHomogeneous sintered polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape-wrapped and fused over the polyimide coreSeals the polyimide against moisture hydrolysis, prevents wet/vacuum Kapton arc propagation, and provides a white UV-laser-markable surface
4Silver-plated copper (SPC) flat/round braid (Shielded variants)≥ 90 % optical coverage silver-plated copper braid over single, twisted-pair, triad or quad coresProvides spacecraft EMC/EMI shielding and electrostatic discharge (ESD)bleed in GEO plasma environments
5Sintered polyimide/PTFE outer jacket (Shielded variants)Fused fluoropolymer/polyimide tape jacket with TML < 1.0 % and CVCM < 0.1 %Protects the shield braid against abrasion on satellite honeycomb panels without outgassing onto optical sensors

ESCC 3901/018 Unshielded (1C, 2C, 3C, 4C)

Single hook-up wire, twisted pair, triad and quad from 28 AWG to 12 AWG for internal avionics boxes and low-mass signal harnesses

ESCC 3901/018 Shielded & Jacketed (1CS, 2CS, 3CS, 4CS)

90 % silver-plated copper braided and PTFE/polyimide jacketed space harness cables for MIL-STD-1553B, SpaceWire and sensor buses

Technical data

Ratings & operating limits

Typical values: Typical values for this cable type, based on ESA ESCC Detail Specification 3901/018 & ESCC Generic Specification 3901. Values for your order are confirmed in the datasheet and quotation.

Electrical

Rated voltage
600 Vrms (up to 2,500 Hz)
Spark test / dielectric proof
5.0 kVrms in-line spark test · 2.5 kVrms immersion test
Insulation resistance
≥ 5,000 MΩ·km at +20 °C
Arc-tracking resistance
Pass 7-wire dry & wet arc-tracking per ESCC 3901

Thermal

Operating temperature
−200 °C to +200 °C (continuous in vacuum or air)
Thermal shock
100 cycles −196 °C (LN2) to +200 °C with zero cracking

Mechanical

Conductor size range
28, 26, 24 AWG (Cu-Alloy) · 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12 AWG (Cu)
Silver plating thickness
≥ 2.0 µm (up to 5.0 µm anti-red-plague option)
Min. bend radius
5 × OD (single core) · 6 × OD (shielded multiconductor)

Resistance

Vacuum outgassing (ECSS / ASTM E595)
TML < 1.0 % (typ. 0.08 %) · CVCM < 0.10 % (typ. 0.01 %)
Radiation resistance
≥ 100 Mrad (10⁶ Gy) gamma / electron fluence
Flammability
Non-flammable in 30 % O2 spacecraft cabin test (ECSS-Q-ST-70-21)

Reference standards

Primary specification
ESA ESCC Detail Spec 3901/018 & Generic Spec 3901
Outgassing & cleanliness
ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C · NASA SP-R-0022A / ASTM E595

Identification

Colour coding
White outer PTFE (UV YAG laser markable) or ESCC colour stripes
Traceability
Full ESCC lot traceability, silver thickness & spark test dossier
Customs tariff (HS)
8544.49

Sizes

12 standard ESCC 3901-018 single-core, twisted-pair & shielded space wire variants

Dimensions, silver-plated conductor stranding, max DC resistance, Finished OD and ultra-low spacecraft harness mass.

ESCC variant, AWG, stranding, OD & mass
ESCC DesignationConfiguration & AWGStranding (mm)
& Material		Cond. OD
mm		Max OD
mm		Max R20
Ω/km		Max Mass
g/m (kg/km)		Enquiry
ESCC 3901/018 Unshielded Single Hook-Up Wire & Twisted Pairs (600 Vrms)
ESCC 390101801B (1×28)1 × 28 AWG Single19 × 0.079 SPCA Alloy0.380.68236.01.15
ESCC 390101802B (1×26)1 × 26 AWG Single19 × 0.100 SPCA Alloy0.480.78148.01.70
ESCC 390101803B (1×24)1 × 24 AWG Single19 × 0.120 SPCA Alloy0.600.90102.02.40
ESCC 390101804B (1×22)1 × 22 AWG Single19 × 0.150 SPC Copper0.761.0654.53.65
ESCC 390101805B (1×20)1 × 20 AWG Single19 × 0.200 SPC Copper0.981.2930.86.10
ESCC 390101806B (1×16)1 × 16 AWG Single19 × 0.300 SPC Copper1.481.8213.713.20
ESCC 390101808B (1×12)1 × 12 AWG Power37 × 0.320 SPC Copper2.242.656.229.50
ESCC 390101811B (2×24)2 × 24 AWG Twisted Pair19 × 0.120 SPCA Alloy0.601.80107.04.95
ESCC 3901/018 SPC Braided & PTFE/Polyimide Jacketed Shielded Space Cables
ESCC 390101831B (1×24S)1 × 24 AWG Shielded19 × 0.120 SPCA + SPC Braid0.601.38102.05.80
ESCC 390101839B (2×26S)2 × 26 AWG Shielded Pair19 × 0.100 SPCA + SPC Braid0.482.04155.07.60
ESCC 390101841B (2×22S)2 × 22 AWG Shielded Pair19 × 0.150 SPC + SPC Braid0.762.6057.212.80
ESCC 390101855B (4×24S)4 × 24 AWG Shielded Quad19 × 0.120 SPCA + SPC Braid0.602.68107.015.40
  • Typical values for this cable type; dimensions and weights for your order are confirmed in the quotation.
  • Full ESCC 3901/018 range includes 1, 2, 3 and 4 cores unshielded and shielded from 28 AWG to 12 AWG.

Quality & approvals

Testing & inspection

Routine tests on every production length, sample and type tests per batch — documented on an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate.

  1. ConductorClass 5 stranding
  2. Spark test100 % in-line
  3. Lay-upCores, earth, fillers
  4. SheathingInner, braid / screen, outer
  5. Electrical testsAC voltage, resistance
  6. DimensionsOD, wall thickness
  7. Inspection documents & dispatchDrum & dispatch
Testing & inspectionTest value / referenceFrequency
Routine tests
100 % 5.0 kVrms dry spark test & 2.5 kVrms immersion dielectric testVerify zero tape-lap voids, pinholes or sinter defects across every manufactured spool100 % of wire length
Silver plating thickness (≥ 2.0 µm) & red-plague polysulfide testXRF silver thickness audit plus accelerated Anthony & Brown red-plague corrosion screeningEvery conductor lot
Sample tests
ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C thermal vacuum outgassing & 7-wire arc-tracking testConfirm TML < 1.0 %, CVCM < 0.10 % and resistance to wet/dry polyimide arc propagationLot qualification

Inspection certificate

Issued with every drum, listing the routine test results for that length.

Product approvals

ESA ESCC Detail Specification 3901/018 CompliantECSS-Q-ST-70-02C / ASTM E595 Low Outgassing Certified

Company certificates

ISO 9001ISO 14001ISO 45001VDE marks approvalUL / cULCE · LVD / EMC

Marking & supply

Ordering & delivery

Sheath marking

UV YAG Laser Markable White PTFE Outer Layer (ESCC 3901/018 Traceable Spools)
Delivery form
Cleanroom-sealed anti-static spools in moisture-barrier nitrogen-purged bags
Documentation
Certificate of Conformance, XRF silver thickness, spark test & outgassing report
Lead time
3–5 weeks ex-works

Technical documents

Downloads

PDFESCC 3901-018 Space-Grade Polyimide/Fluoropolymer Equipment Wire – technical datasheet12 sizes · construction, technical data, approvalsXLSXESCC 3901-018 spec data (Excel)All 12 sizes with dimensions and data, for your BOM or quotation
Revision
2026-10-20
Updated
2026-10-20

FAQ

Questions engineers ask first

Not covered here? Send your drawing — an engineer replies within 2 business hours.

Why did space agencies transition from pure aromatic polyimide wire to hybrid polyimide/PTFE constructions like ESCC 3901/018?
First-generation pure polyimide wires suffered from moisture hydrolysis during humid launch-pad integration and catastrophic pyrolitic carbonization ('arc tracking') if a small nick or flashover occurred. ESCC 3901/018 encapsulates the high-strength polyimide dielectric inside a sintered PTFE fluoropolymer outer barrier that blocks humidity, prevents carbonized arc-tracking propagation, and accepts high-contrast UV laser marking.
Why do 28, 26 and 24 AWG ESCC 3901/018 wires use high-strength copper alloy instead of pure annealed copper?
Fine 28–24 AWG signal wires carry only milliamps of current, so their sizing is governed by mechanical launch vibration and connector crimp pull-out force rather than ampacity. Using silver-plated high-strength copper alloy (breaking strength ≥ 400 MPa vs ~240 MPa for soft copper) prevents wire breakage at D-sub and MDM micro-D connector backshells during rocket launch.
What is 'red plague' on space wires, and how does ESCC 3901/018 prevent it?
Red plague is a galvanic cuprous oxide (Cu2O) corrosion that attacks the copper core underneath thin or porous silver plating when moisture and oxygen are trapped during ground storage. ESCC 3901/018 mandates a minimum 2.0 µm continuous silver plating over every strand, verified by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and polysulfide continuity testing.
Can ESCC 3901/018 be used inside terrestrial ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) and cryogenic chambers?
Yes. Because ESCC 3901/018 contains zero plasticizers or halogens other than fully fluorinated PTFE and achieves TML < 0.1 % and CVCM < 0.01 %, it is widely used in 10⁻¹⁰ mbar synchrotron beamlines, dilution refrigerators (−200 °C), and space-simulation thermal-vacuum chambers.

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ESCC 3901-018 Space-Grade Polyimide/Fluoropolymer Equipment Wire

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