EoW March 2010

technology news

Crosslinking polymers for insulation Ionizing energy, as provided by an accelerated electron beam (EB), is an efficient means of crosslinking polymers used for wire and cable jacketing. In this process, chemical bonds are formed between polymer molecule chains to produce a three-dimensional insoluble network.

This can be done without heat. In most instances ionization causes the abstraction of an atom of hydrogen from a polymer to produce active sites along a polymer chain that can bind to similar sites on adjacent chains without the use of crosslinking agents. EB processing is said to be faster, more controllable and more economical than thermal and/or chemical crosslinking when used in the production of insulated wires and cables. EB crosslinked wire and cable insulation displays several beneficial properties. It will not melt and flow at elevated ambient temperatures, nor melt and flow should the conductor become heated due to an electrical short circuit. EB crosslinking reduces the risk of flame propagation should a fire occur in electrical equipment.

IBA’s Easy-e-Beam, integrated crosslinking solution ▲ ▲

wire handling system, both managed by a single PLC-based control system. Wires and cables wound on reels are fed into the Easy-e-Beam and, after electron beam treatment, are rewound onto take-up reels. Easy-e-Beam can handle cross-sections up to 30mm² (60kcmil) and reach a line speed of up to 1,000m per minute. IBA Industrial – Belgium Fax : +32 1047 5992 Website : www.iba-industrial.com

Tensile strength, especially at elevated temperatures, is increased, as are abrasion resistance, stress crack resistance and solvent resistance. IBA recently developed a new solution for electron beam crosslinking, called Easy-e-Beam™. Easy-e-Beam is based on the Dynamitron® accelerator. The solution is self-shielded, allowing easy installation into an existing facility. Easy-e-Beam integrates the E-beam accelerator and the

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EuroWire – March 2010