An apparatus and method for modifying an aspect of an exterior polymer material or polymer type material of a linear substrate with a fluid. The apparatus include a variable exposure gap within which the linear substrate is exposed to the fluid. The width of the exposure gap is varied with the speed of the linear substrate traversing the exposure gap to maintain a constant exposure time of the linear substrate with the modifying fluid.

A power cable and a process of manufacturing a power cable, where the power cable includes a core containing stranded electrically conductive wires that are impregnated with a water-blocking composition, wherein the water-blocking composition contains, based on a total weight of the water-blocking composition: (i) a thermoplastic polymer; and (ii) a positive amount of up to 30 wt % of a crosslinked polymer, where the crosslinked polymer is in the form of a powder having a particle diameter less than 900 μm and the crosslinked polymer is dispersed in the thermoplastic polymer.

An apparatus and method for modifying an aspect of an exterior polymer material or polymer type material of a linear substrate with a fluid. The apparatus include a variable exposure gap within which the linear substrate is exposed to the fluid. The width of the exposure gap is varied with the speed of the linear substrate traversing the exposure gap to maintain a constant exposure time of the linear substrate with the modifying fluid.

An apparatus and method for modifying an aspect of an exterior polymer material or polymer type material of a linear substrate with a fluid. The apparatus include a variable exposure gap within which the linear substrate is exposed to the fluid. The width of the exposure gap is varied with the speed of the linear substrate traversing the exposure gap to maintain a constant exposure time of the linear substrate with the modifying fluid.

An apparatus and method for modifying an aspect of an exterior polymer material or polymer type material of a linear substrate with a fluid. The apparatus include a variable exposure gap within which the linear substrate is exposed to the fluid. The width of the exposure gap is varied with the speed of the linear substrate traversing the exposure gap to maintain a constant exposure time of the linear substrate with the modifying fluid.

A process of applying a fluid containing one or more additives to a surface of a linear substrate in a linear compartment. The process includes passing the linear substrate through first and second seals of the linear compartment, contacting the linear substrate with the fluid within a chamber within the linear compartment while an exposure gap has a first length that is greater than zero, the contacting being conducted for a time with the fluid at a temperature. The linear compartment is dimensionally reconfigurable, optionally during an infusion process.

A power cable and a process of manufacturing a power cable, where the power cable includes a core containing stranded electrically conductive wires that are impregnated with a water-blocking composition, wherein the water-blocking composition contains, based on a total weight of the water-blocking composition: (i) a thermoplastic polymer; and (ii) a positive amount of up to 30 wt % of a crosslinked polymer, where the crosslinked polymer is in the form of a powder having a particle diameter less than 900 μm and the crosslinked polymer is dispersed in the thermoplastic polymer.

Provided are apparatuses for the processing of one or more components of a fluid into the surface of a linear substrate. The apparatuses include a processing barrel having a chamber defined therein as well as a linear substrate inlet and a linear substrate outlet. The processing barrel also includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the chamber. An exposure gap is defined between the linear substrate inlet and the linear substrate outlet. The chamber is dimensionally reconfigurable so that the exposure gap can have a length from zero to greater than zero.

Provided are apparatuses for the infusion of one or more additives into the surface of a linear substrate. The apparatuses include a processing barrel having an infusion chamber defined therein as well as a linear substrate inlet and a linear substrate outlet. The processing barrel also includes an infusion fluid inlet and an infusion solution outlet in fluid communication with the infusion chamber. The infusion chamber is dimensionally reconfigurable, optionally during an infusion process.

An apparatus and method for modifying an aspect of an exterior polymer material or polymer type material of a linear substrate with a fluid. The apparatus include a variable exposure gap within which the linear substrate is exposed to the fluid. The width of the exposure gap is varied with the speed of the linear substrate traversing the exposure gap to maintain a constant exposure time of the linear substrate with the modifying fluid.