Residual compressive stresses in CATV cable were measured using the parameter of aluminum shield removal force. Values for 0.412, 0.500, and 0.750 inch diameter CATV cables were measured for contact lengths of 2-1/2, 5 and 10 inches in the as-received condition. A series of time-temperature exposures ranging from ambient to 160°F and 15 to 1920 minutes were run on 0.500 inch diameter cable after which aluminum shield removal force measurements were made on specimens having a contact length of 2-1/2 inches. The rapid rate of decay at times and temperatures easily encountered in the field suggest that high compressive forces imposed during manufacturing for the purpose of minimizing moisture absorption, may exist for only a short time since environmental conditions may anneal out the residual stresses. Another fact of interest was that the center conductor/dielectric bond is chemical in nature and stronger than the plastic itself, whereas, the aluminum shield/dielectric bond is strictly mechanical in nature.