Method for wire insulation

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The basic process for electrochemically treating or coating a wire in accordance with this invention involves the use of super absorbent salts and/or mixed salts of polymers having terminal anions attached to the backbone of the polymer.
The polymers also include one or more noninvolved cationic substances.
The polymers and the metallic wire to be protectively coated having a cationic disposition, such as a common copper wire, are then placed in water or at least a moisture environment.
A small dc current is then applied to the water in a direction so that the wire becomes an anode.
This produces an anionic-cationic electrochemical cross-linking between the polymer and the metal of the wire and results in an hydrophobic coating or insulation graft to the wire.
When the above phenomenon is employed in repairing a break in the insulation of wires within a cable, a combination of the polymers in granular form and in sufficient quantity to establish the coating are sprinkled onto the wires where the insulation break or intrusion is located.
Moisture is left present or even added to the area and a small dc electrical current is established.
The normal telephone current is sufficient.
If the short is metered, it will be noted when the insulation has been established to the anode wire, namely, when the meter shows that there is no longer a short across the wires.