Method for producing an electric cable with controlled cooling

A method for manufacturing an electric cable having

• at least one elongate electrically-conducting element,
• an inner semiconducting layer surrounding the elongate electrically-conducting element,
• an electrically-insulating thermoplastic layer surrounding the inner semiconducting layer, and
• an outer semiconducting layer surrounding the electrically-insulating thermoplastic layer, said electrically-insulating thermoplastic layer containing at least one thermoplastic polymer,
• said method comprising at least the following steps:
• i) applying, by extrusion and in this order, the inner semiconducting layer, the electrically-insulating thermoplastic layer, and the outer semiconducting layer, around the elongate electrically-conducting element,
• ii) cooling the outer semiconducting layer thus extruded in step i) by bringing it into contact with a first medium maintained at a temperature T1 ranging from approximately 60 to 140° C. for sufficient time for the electrically-insulating thermoplastic layer to reach a temperature T2 such that
• Tc
• -
• 25
• ⁢
• °C
• .
• ≤
• T
• ⁢
• 2
• ⁢
• Tc
• +
• 25
• ⁢
• °C
• .
• ,
• Tc being the crystallization temperature of the thermoplastic polymer, and
• iii) cooling the cable thus obtained in step ii) by bringing it into contact with a second medium maintained at a temperature T3 less than or equal to 50° C.