XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

U. Gohs (gohs@ipfdd.de), H. Dorschner, G. Heinrich, M. Stephan, U. Wagenknecht(Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research)

R. Bartel, O. Röder(Fraunhofer Institute of Electron Beam and Plasma Technology)

Requirements on Electron Accelerators for Innovative Applications in Polymer Industry

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Interaction of electrons with matter

3. Electron treatment of polymers

4. Trends

5. Requirements on electron accelerators

6. Conclusion

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

1. Introduction

• well established for about 50 years

• uses energy input of accelerated

electrons for

– generation of ions and excited particles (non-thermal applications)

– local and temporal precise heat generation (thermal applications)

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

2. Interaction of electrons with matter

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

Studer HARD (Switzerland): 10 MeV / 200 kW

3. Electron treatment of polymers

cross-linking

• transformation of polymers into three-dimensional network (C - C)

• changed chemical, mechanical and thermal properties

• product quality is controlled via dose

• applications

- cables, pipes and tubes, form parts

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

industrial floor at VW in Dresden Scannery Holztechnik (Germany): 280 kV/ 20 kW

3. Electron treatment of polymers

electron beam curing

• fast transformation of reactive organic liquids into a solid polymer network

• applications - coatings on glass, metal, paper, wood

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

FEP (Germany)120 kV / 160 mAsize: 40 x 70 x 1500 cm

LINAC (France)3 - 10 MeVsize: 80 x 80 x 1600 cm

4. Trends

compact powerful electron accelerators for:

• in-line modification of new and recycled plastic pellets and powders• continuously modification of thermoplastics during plastic processing

AEB (USA)150 kV / 25 mAsize: 30 x 30 x 40 cm

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

4. Trends

new technological effects on polymers via:

• electron treatment in reactive gas atmosphere– generation of different functional groups in polymers

• electron treatment at elevated temperature– higher yield of cross-linking or polymerization

coupling of electron accelerator, reactive gas system and plastic processing technology

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

4. Trends

modification of new and recycled plastic pellets and powders• Polypropylene and rubber meal from recycled tires

production of thermoplastic elastomers

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

4. Trends

modification of new and recycled plastic pellets and powders - resultComparison of material data

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

untreated-PP/rubber mealblend

treated PP/rubber mealelastomer alloy

rela

tiv

e v

alu

es

[%

]

E-modulus tensile strength break stretching

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

4. Trends

electron treatment at elevated temperature:• cross-linking of polyethylene

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

4. Trends

electron treatment at elevated temperature - result

single screw plastic extruder on conveyor

system inclusive water bath,

granulator and sampling system

Scanner of ELV-2(0,6 - 1,5 MeV; 20 kW)

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

5. Requirements on electron accelerators

• compact electron accelerators– due to future in-line application

• compact electron exit window with shaped beam geometry– due to direct modification of strands and form parts

• special oxide layer coating on titanium foil– to withstand reactive gas atmosphere at elevated temperature

• water cooled electron exit window without any air cooling– to avoid cooling of melted polymers and influence on particle flow

under electron exit window

• maximum area density of electron current: about 0,25 mA/cm²– results from single path product treatment

• working time without any interruption: 4000 – 5000 hours– due to established maintenances cycles in polymer processing

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

6. Conclusion

• compact and powerful electron accelerators are available

• innovative technological effects have been tested

new future applications in polymer processing

increased spread of electron accelerators

XX Russian Accelerator Conference (RuPAC2006), Novosibirsk, Russia, September 10 - 14, 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank You for Your Attention!

Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V.

(Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden)

Hohe Str. 6

D-01069 Dresden

P.O. Box 120 411

D-01005 Dresden

Phone: + 49 351 4658-0

Fax: + 49 351 4658-284

Internet: www.ipfdd.de

e-mail: ipf@ipfdd.de