Increasing UHMWPE abrasion resistance with electron beam processing

By ebeam | Published: September 5, 2017

Are you looking for a tough material with high abrasion resistance? The e-beam process can greatly improve the abrasion resistance of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene.

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene is also known as UHMWPE. It’s pretty cool stuff. As the name implies, it is polyethylene with really long chains. In fact, it’s molecular weight range is typically 100 times more than high density polyethylene (HDPE)! This makes it naturally more resistant to abrasion and impact than your typical polyethylenes. Read More »

Posted in Crosslinking & Polymer Modification, E-Beam, Property Improvements | Comments closed

Dear Karen: E-beam vs Gamma Sterilization Dose

By ebeam | Published: August 15, 2017

Dear Karen,

I have qualified my product for sterilization at a gamma facility, but am interested in transitioning to electron beam. I already know what dose my product needs for gamma sterilization. Is this dose going to be the same for e-beam sterilization?

Sincerely,

Max Dose (Name changed for privacy. And because I’m a sucker for puns.) Read More »

Posted in E-Beam, Processing Capabilities, Sterilization | Comments closed

Throwback Thursday: Long-lasting barrier-resistant properties

By ebeam | Published: June 8, 2017

With a show of hands, how many of you wear makeup on a daily basis? I myself never leave home (and actually rarely even walk around home by myself) without mascara and some form of gloss or lipstick. And in today’s world, a lot of us care a lot about what goes into our makeup. But how many of us think about what it takes to create quality packaging for our favorite blushes and contouring palettes? Read More »

Posted in Crosslinking & Polymer Modification, E-Beam, Molded Parts, Property Improvements | Comments closed

Throwback Thursday: Crosslinked Thin-Wall Wire and Cable Products

By ebeam | Published: May 25, 2017

We’re celebrating this Throwback Thursday with some old school E-BEAM marketing! The graphics may be dated, but the facts presented are tried and true and still help many customers make great products to this day.

Today, we’re taking a look back at a piece (Crosslinked Thin-Wall Wire and Cable) that promises to demonstrate that “cross-linked thin-wall wire and cable products exhibit outstanding strength and environmental-resistant characteristics.”

Here at E-BEAM, we frequently use our high-energy electrons to crosslink jacketed wire and cable products. Why? Electrons crosslink the polymer molecules into a permanently altered 3D configuration that improves performance characteristics without changing the existing dimensional properties. Crosslinking of the polymer jacket can enhance structural performance, such as improved temperature, chemical, stress, and abrasion resistance. These cables then can be used in the automotive, aerospace, and communications industries, to name a few.

E-beam crosslinking, unlike chemical crosslinking, does not limit jacketing materials, minimum wall thicknesses, or line speeds, and does not require the use of special equipment for hazardous chemicals or SDS documentation. Additionally, e-beam treated wire and cable products do not contain peroxide byproducts or unreacted residuals.

So what polymers are suitable for the jacketing crosslinking process? We have seen success with polymers like: PVC, ETFE, PVDF, polyolefin, EPDM, CPE, Hypalon, EVA, Neoprene rubber, and ethylene-propylene rubber.

Still have questions about your particular wire and cable product? Email us at ebeam@ebeamservice.com, or give us a call at 513-933-0031 for a free consultation with one of our Technical Services representatives!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in E-Beam | Comments closed

Regulatory Pathways and The Science of Sterilization

By ebeam | Published: May 8, 2017

This past Tuesday, E-BEAM Services partnered with BioOhio and NAMSA to present the first ever Regulatory Pathways and The Science of Sterilization forum.

The forum worked as a kind of Sterilization 101 class, with an introduction from BioOhio’s President and CEO, John Lewis, an overview from NAMSA’s Carla Weise of global regulatory pathways and tips for successful FDA submissions, a walk-through of the sterilization validation process by E-BEAM’s own Olivia Radcliffe and Dan Yasenchak, and a brief synopsis of the three major sterilization methods: ethylene oxide gas, gamma irradiation, and, of course, electron beam irradiation (the most distinguished and resplendent of the three, though I may be a tad biased… 🙂 ) by E-BEAM’s VP of Technology and Business Development, Bill Crilley. E-BEAM’s President and CEO, Paul Minbiole, served as Master of Ceremonies to help keep the day rolling smoothly.

After the presentations and lunch, the group migrated back to the E-BEAM Services facility in Lebanon for a quick tour of one of the electron accelerators in action, and visitors were gifted with a Lichtenberg figure paperweight made in-house.

Overall, the day was insightful to both attendees and their hosts, as questions about topics such as controlled substance sterilization and frozen processing led to in-depth discussions.

Want to be involved in E-BEAM’s next event? Just email Karen and we’ll make sure to send you a personalized invitation!

 

Posted in E-Beam | Comments closed

Long Chain Branching, Part 3 – Demonstrating Improved Drawability

By ebeam | Published: March 13, 2017

In Part 2, we irradiated three samples of LLDPE with the electron beam to impart long chain branching and we achieved the improvement in melt tension we were looking for.

In Part 3, we irradiated one of the samples with a higher dose to produce LCB (long chain branched) LLDPE with a melt tension measurement of 14 cN.

In the first demonstration, we extruded, as a control, 100% unirradiated LLDPE sample B into a slot die with a three stack chill roll take-away device. The neck-in was measured as an indication of the drawability of the material. Then we extruded a pellet/pellet blend of 20% LDPE and 80% unirradiated LLDPE. Finally we extruded a pellet/pellet blend of 20% LCB LLDPE and 80% unirradiated LLDPE sample B.

Not only did the 20% LCB LLDPE blend reduce neck-in significantly, it also eliminated the edge weave problem observed in the 100% unirradiated LLDPE.

In a second demonstration, again, as a control, we extruded 100% high flow PP and measured neck-in as described earlier. Then we extruded a pellet/pellet blend of 20% LDPE and 80% high flow polypropylene (PP). Finally, we extruded a pellet/pellet blend of 20% LCB LLDPE sample B and 80% high flow PP.

Conclusion:

LCB LLDPE can be used as a melt strength modifier in both PE blends and PP blends, and at the same time offer the improved properties and higher heat resistance of the LLDPE.

Posted in Crosslinking & Polymer Modification, E-Beam, Rheology Control | Comments closed

Long Chain Branching, Part 2 – Experimental results

By ebeam | Published: March 10, 2017

Hypothesis:  long chain branching of LLDPEs can improve melt strength in terms of drawability.

 We irradiated 3 LLDPE feedstocks with an electron beam and compared the properties of the 3 processed resins to a LDPE Control.  The starting samples were:

Radiation Processing

We dosed the samples with a 150kW, 4.5 MeV electron beam accelerator.  The electron beam irradiation initially breaks the polymer chains, creating free radicals that subsequently reform as long chain branches.  Improvements in melt behavior are attributed to this branched structure.

Observations

We observed a decrease in melt index and an increase in melt tension as dose was increased.  For LLDPE sample B, at dose level 3 the melt index and melt tension are equivalent to the LDPE Control.  This indicates that the desirable melt strength properties of LDPE can be imparted into LLDPE.

In Part 3 of this study we will blend these dosed samples with polyethylene to increase the properties of the alloy.

Posted in Crosslinking & Polymer Modification, E-Beam, Rheology Control | Comments closed

Welcome to the family!

By ebeam | Published: February 17, 2017

E-BEAM Services is proud to announce the newest member to their accelerator capacity family, a sweet little 1.5 MeV Dynamitron electron beam accelerator!

Coming in at more than 10,000 pounds and measuring more than 20 feet, this newest addition will be upgraded and installed in a future location, becoming the 5th accelerator owned and operated by E-BEAM Services (which is already the largest contract service provider for electron beam processing in North America).

The E-BEAM family is doing well, and is very happy with the potential for additional capacity to help meet the projected business growth and increased demand for e-beam processing.

Posted in Crosslinking & Polymer Modification, E-Beam, Sterilization | Comments closed

The Top 10 Facts About E-beam Sterilization of DEA-regulated Substances

By ebeam | Published: January 19, 2017

The top 10 facts about e-beam sterilization of DEA regulated substances at E-BEAM Services, Inc.

  • E-BEAM Services is licensed by the DEA and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to process class III non-narcotic drugs.
  • E-BEAM Services sterilizes in accordance with International Standards (ISO9001-2008, ISO13485, ISO11137) for the operation of our equipment, dosimetry systems, and product qualification.
  • Class III drugs are defined as drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence (such as testosterone).
  • For E-BEAM Services to sterilize your controlled substance, you also will need to be licensed by the DEA and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy.
  • Our Ohio facility has two separate e-beam accelerators, which provide built-in backup capacity.
  • E-beam sterilization has a higher dose rate than gamma, meaning a faster processing time and less degradation to the products.
  • We can process the products in their final packaging, which means a time savings for us and a cost savings for you!
  • If your product has never been validated for sterilization before, we will validate it by performing a material test, dose map, and dose audit.
  • We have the ability to process and ship your products within the same day.
  • We have a DEA-approved secured storage room on site, and when removed from the room, your controlled substances are monitored by at least two E-BEAM personnel at all times.

Still have questions or want to start the validation process? Give us a call at 513-933-0031!

Posted in E-Beam | Comments closed

Innovation is a team sport

By ebeam | Published: December 5, 2016

shutterstock_203701285The CEO of a plastics company visited E-BEAM Services to talk about ramping up production of the new crosslinked product they have created using electron beam. E-BEAM’s COO said that we enjoy working with nimble, innovative and entrepreneurial companies.

The CEO responded, “If that is what you want to do, Dan Yasenchak has demonstrated every one of those things during this project. I cannot thank him enough for the persistence he has shown.”

On this successful project, innovation was a team sport! Even Thomas Edison’s successes were ‘team sports’.

Wikipedia asserts that innovations require only three things:

1. A recognized need,

2. Competent people with relevant technology, and

3. Financial support.

If you recognize a need, you can turn to E-BEAM Services to put “competent people with relevant technology” on your team.

Then, if you can come up with $900 for the first experiment, your team can be on its way to instant innovation!

Might electron beam be a relevant technology for your need or opportunity? Check out a short white paper: “Instant Innovation: Product Development Using E-BEAM Irradiation”.

Posted in Crosslinking & Polymer Modification, E-Beam, Sterilization | Comments closed

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