Abstract
Radiation processing is a technique for modifying the properties of materials by irradiation with gamma rays or electron beams. Although this technique is applied mainly for the sterilization of medical devices, there are important applications for the cross-linking of polymers. The purpose of this paper is to show the potential of radiation processing for the automotive industry in Romania, with a description of the IRASM Radiation Processing Center belonging to “Horia Hulubei” National Institute for Nuclear Physics and Engineering, with some examples of plastic or composite parts improved through radiation processing worldwide and with new ideas connected to the recycling trends. The IRASM Center includes an industrial gamma irradiator in operation since 2001, also testing laboratories for physical, chemical, mechanical, structural, optical or microbiological characteristics. All IRASM activities are controlled by a Quality Management System certified since 2002. The processing capacity is around 10m3 of product or materials per batch. The main application of radiation processing for automotive industry could be the cross-linking of polymers for increasing the thermal stability. Cross-linking is not the best choice taking into accounts the recycling demands but radiation has also the ability of degrading almost any kind of polymers. Radiation processing is an available alternative to other classical technologies, with some major advantages: terminal processing, no use of hazardous chemicals with associated by-products, external services, low costs and fast turn-around time.
Keywords: radiation processing, cross-linking, stability, recycling, automotive