Advanced Applications

Radiation vs. Chemical Crosslinking for

Polymer Parts

RADIATION CROSSLINKING OF POLYMERS Crosslinking of manufactured polymer parts is a well established technology and
has been a part of Sterigenics processing capabilities for over 25 years.

Crosslinking is done in order to improve material performance such as:

• Improved mechanical properties, especially at elevated temperatures

• Better resistance to chemicals and to environmental stress cracking
• Reduced creep
Polymer crosslinking may be
In addition, crosslinking can impart completely new properties which can be
achieved by using radiation:
exploited for new product opportunities and advancements. For example, the
• Ionizing energy properties of “elastic memory” resulting from the crosslinking of thermoplastic
polymers has enabled an extensive range of heat shrinkable products to be
• electron beam processing
developed.
• gamma processing
RADIATION TREATMENT
• x-ray processing Sterigenics electron beam processing involves exposing the finished product
Or chemicals: (formed, for example, by molding or extrusion) to a stream of high energy
electrons from an electron accelerator. X-rays may also be produced from the
• peroxides accelerator and used for processing. Similarly, Sterigenics gamma processing
involves exposing the product to gamma radiation from isotopic sources.
• silanes
The interaction of the radiation with the polymer chains generates the active sites
necessary for crosslinking to occur.

In each case, a chemical reaction occurs, generating

active sites on the polymer chains and allowing bonds
to form between them.
CHEMICAL CROSSLINKING
In this technique, chemicals such as peroxides are added to the polymer, or the
polymer chain is chemically modified using, for example, silanes. After the desired
product has been formed, an additional processing step initiates a chemical
reaction forming the active sites, and subsequently, the crosslinks.

This brochure compares radiation and chemical This processing step is typically exposed to heat for peroxide crosslinking, or to
moisture (water, steam) for the silane technique.
crosslinking techniques with particular emphasis on

the use of electron beams as a way to radiation Sterigenics Advanced Applications Radiation
Processing Capability
crosslink polymers. Sterigenics Advanced Applications offers electron beam service and development
centers located worldwide:

We stand ready to work with you to optimize and

San Diego, CA
validate radiation processing protocols for your Gaithersburg, MD
products, to increase performance and reduce costs. Bridgeport, NJ
Rayong Province, Thailand
Espergaerde, Denmark
Shanghai, China

In addition, we operate 16 gamma service centers worldwide

Page 1 of 2
 Page 2 of 2
Release Date August, 2005