Radiation, cross-linking chemical mechanism

Radiation cross-linking of polyethylene requires considerably less overall energy and less space, and is faster, more efficient, and environmentally more acceptable. Chemically cross-linked PE contains chemicals, which are by-products of the curing system. These often have adverse effects on the dielectric properties and, in some cases, are simply not acceptable. The disadvantage of electron beam cross-linking is a more or less nonuniform dose distribution. This can happen particularly in thicker objects due to intrinsic dose-depth profiles of electron beams. Another problem can be a nonuniformity of rotation of cylindrical objects as they traverse a scanned electron beam. However, the mechanical properties often depend on the mean cross-link density. ... 

Radiation cross-linking affects different characteristics of polymers like mechanical behaviour, chemical stability, thermal and flame resistance. Until now, radiation cross-linking is limited to only a few industrial applications cross-linking of rubber or polymers for tyres, cables, pipes (e.g. in under floor heating systems), and heat-shrinkable tubes. Nevertheless, there exist industrial facilities like electron accelerators and gamma plant. Some of these radiation sources are operated by research institutes. 

Hie increase of absorption mention above in the intermediate region of the FIR spectrum with increasing chemical cross-linking density of PS is accompanied by the increase of the mechanical losses at 140-160 K, or in y-rdaxation [136] the same was observed radiation cross-linking of PS [137]. 

The undesirable properties of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, i.e., softening at high temperatures and flow under pressure, which limit their use at elevated temperamres have been reduced by cross-linking with EB radiation. The cross-linked polyurethane shows good mechanical properties and also displays good resistance to aggressive chemicals, e.g., brake fluid [432 35]. 

PVC, another widely used polymer for wire and cable insulation, crosslinks under irradiation in an inert atmosphere. When irradiated in air, scission predominates.To make cross-linking dominant, multifunctional monomers, such as trifunctional acrylates and methacrylates, must be added. Fluoropolymers, such as copol5miers of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), are widely used in wire and cable insulations. They are relatively easy to process and have excellent chemical and thermal resistance, but tend to creep, crack, and possess low mechanical stress at temperatures near their melting points. Radiation has been found to improve their mechanical properties and crack resistance. Ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) has also been used for wire and cable insulation. When blended with thermoplastic polyefins, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), its processibility improves significantly. The typical addition of LDPE is 10%. Ethylene propylene copolymers and terpolymers with high PE content can be cross-linked by irradiation. ... 

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