Materials
Many polymer materials are suitable for crosslinking. The ones most often processed in this way are those with the broadest range of applications: polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA) and polyvinylchloride (PVC).
When PA is radiation crosslinked, it can withstand considerably higher temperatures –the dimensional stability of this originally thermoplastic polymer under thermal stress also improves. Pipes made of PE are irradiated for use in underfloor heating, gas and hot water systems. Special PBT materials become extremely heat resistant after radiation crosslinking: even short-term exposure to temperatures up to 400 °C is possible.
Materials Testing:
In order to assess the properties changes that have been obtained, BGS can conduct special examinations after irradiation:
Determining the mechanical characteristics of plastics in the temperature range from -70 °C to +250 °C
Measuring thermal expansion (hot-set)
Determining the compression set
Ascertaining Shore hardness
Determining the degree of crosslinking by gel measurements
Swelling behaviour
Melt index measurement (MFI/MVI)
Thermoanalyses (DSC / TMA / TGA)
Stress/strain testing (tensile test)
OIT measurement (oxidation index)
