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Electron beam processing

 

 
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Electron beam processing
 
 
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Electron beam processing involves irradiation(treatment) of products using a high-energy electron beam accelerator. Electron beam accelerators utilize an on-off technology, with a common design being similar to that of a cathode ray
Cathode ray

Cathode rays are streams of electrons observed in vacuum tubes, i.e. vacuum glass tubes that are equipped with at least two metal electrodes to which a voltage is applied, a cathode or negative electrode and an anode or positive electrode....
 television.

Electron beam processing is used in industry primarily for three product modifications:

cross-linking of polymers through electron beam processing changes a thermoplastic material into a thermoset.






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Electron beam processing involves irradiation(treatment) of products using a high-energy electron beam accelerator. Electron beam accelerators utilize an on-off technology, with a common design being similar to that of a cathode ray
Cathode ray

Cathode rays are streams of electrons observed in vacuum tubes, i.e. vacuum glass tubes that are equipped with at least two metal electrodes to which a voltage is applied, a cathode or negative electrode and an anode or positive electrode....
 television.

Electron beam processing is used in industry primarily for three product modifications:
  • crosslinking of polymer-based products to improve mechanical, thermal, chemical and other properties,
  • material degradation often used in the recycling of materials, and
  • sterilization of medical and pharmaceutical goods.


Crosslinking

The cross-linking of polymers through electron beam processing changes a thermoplastic material into a thermoset. When polymers are crosslinked, the molecular movement is severely impeded, making the polymer stable against heat. This locking together of molecules is the origin of all of the benefits of crosslinking, including the improvement of the following properties: Thermal: resistance to temperature, aging, low temperature impact, etc. Mechanical: tensile strength
Tensile strength

Tensile strength , or is the Stress at which a material breaks or permanently deforms. Tensile strength is an Intensive and extensive properties and, consequently, does not depend on the size of the test specimen....
, modulus, abrasion resistance, pressure rating, creep resistance, etc. Chemical: stress crack resistance, etc. Other: heat shrink memory properties, positive temperature coefficient
Positive temperature coefficient

Positive Temperature Coefficient refers to materials that experience an increase in electrical resistance when their temperature is raised. Materials which have useful engineering applications usually show a relatively rapid increase with temperature, i.e....
, etc.

Chain-Scissioning

Chain scissioning or polymer degradation
Polymer degradation

Polymer degradation is a change in the properties - tensile strength, colour, shape, etc - of a polymer or polymer based product under the influence of one or more environmental factors such as heat, light or chemicals....
 can also be achieved through electron beam processing. The effect of the electron beam can cause the degradation of polymers, breaking chains and therefore reducing the molecular weight. The chain scissioning effects observed in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) have been used to created fine micropowders from scrap or off-grade materials.

Sterilization (microbiology)
Sterilization (microbiology)

Sterilization refers to any process that effectively kills or eliminates transmissible agents from a surface, equipment, article of food or medication, or biological culture medium....
 

Electron beam processing has the ability to break the chains of DNA in living organisms, such as bacteria, resulting in microbial death and rendering the space they inhabit sterile. E-beam processing has been used for the sterilization
Sterilization

Sterilization can refer to:* Sterilization , an operation which renders an animal or human unable to procreate** Compulsory sterilization, where the government forces particular members of society to undergo the procedure...
 of medical products and aseptic packaging materials for foods as well as disinfestation, the elimination of live insects from grain, tobacco, and other unprocessed bulk crops.