1. Mahendra Bharaskar APAR Industries Limited
Tomorrow’s Progress Today
Tomorrow's Progress Today

2. Tomorrow's Progress Today
Company Profile
Apar Industries Limited, founded by Late Mr. Dharmsinh D. Desai
in the year 1958
One of the best established companies in India operating in the
diverse fields of electrical, metallurgical and chemical engineering.
A 3000 crore diversified company offering value added products and services in Power Transmission Conductors and Petroleum Specialties.
53 years of existence, highly competitive & market leader in these fields
Firmly committed to being a responsible corporate citizen with an abiding belief in human engineering.
Focuses on innovative products, establishing state of art manufacturing facility of cross linked cables and wires and other products with Electron Beam Technology at G.I .D.C, Umergaon. Gujarat.
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3. Tomorrow's Progress Today
Introduction of Radation
Definition of Radiation Processing
The treatment of products and materials with radiation or ionizing energy to change their physical, chemical or biological characteristics, to increase their usefulness and value or to reduce their impact on the environment
Ionizing Energy Sources
Electrons from Particle Accelerators.
X-Rays from Accelerated Electrons.
Gamma Rays from Radioactive Nuclides.
In absorbing materials, electrons, X-rays and gamma rays transfer their energies by ejecting atomic electrons, which can then ionize other atoms. These radiations produce similar effects.
The choice of a radiation source depends on the practical aspects of the treatment process, such as absorbed dose, material thickness, processing rate, capital and operating costs
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4. Tomorrow's Progress Today
Introduction of Radiation
Radiation processing was introduced 50 years ago. Many practical applications have been discovered. The most important commercial applications are:
Modification of plastic and rubber materials.
Sterilization of medical devices and consumer items.
Pasteurization and preservation of foods.
Reduction of environmental pollution.
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5. Tomorrow's Progress Today
Electron Beam Processing
Electron beam (EB) processing has been demonstrated on a large commercial scale to be a very effective means of improving end-use properties of various polymers. It is a well established and economical method of precisely modifying the bulk and surface properties of polymer materials.
Although many of the EB applications are in wide use, the combination of high energy and high power of new electron accelerators now enable economical application to larger and thicker products.
EB radiation is a form of ionizing radiation, generally characterized by its fixed penetration range and its high dose rate. These electrons are generated in equipment called accelerators, which produce a beam that is either pulsed or continuous.
EB is a process in which the products are exposed to a concentrated, highly charged stream of electrons. As a product passes in front of the electron beam, it absorbs energy from the electrons. The energy that is absorbed per unit mass of product or material is referred to as the absorbed dose.
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6. Tomorrow's Progress Today
Electron Beam Processing
Polymeric materials with high molecular weights are good candidates for radiation processing.
Inorganic compounds with low molecular weights are poor candidates for radiation processing.
Dilute solutions are exceptions. Ionizing a small fraction of the solvent will affect most of the solute.
High energy electron used under high temperature & nitrogen atmosphere
Possible uses for electron irradiation include sterilization, degradation and to cross-link polymers. X-linking polymeric products to improve mechanical, thermal, chemical and other properties
Material degradation often used in the recycling of materials, and Sterilization of medical and pharmaceutical goods.
Electron energies typically varies from keV to MeV range, depending on the depth of penetration
In polymers, an electron beam may be used for chain scission & cross linking.
The result is a change in the properties of the polymer which is intended to extend the range of applications for the material.
The effects of irradiation may also include changes in crystallinity as well as microstructure.
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7. Tomorrow's Progress Today
E-Beam Accelerator
An Electron Gun is housed in a thick vessel where electrons are accelerated in an acceleration tube
The Electrons are directed to a scanning device magnetically
Similarly, depending on the dosage required, suitable under-beam handling systems are designed
The products are passed under the beam thru set of under-beam equipments
Fig(1)
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9. GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION OF ACCELERATORP R O D U C T S p W I E
& A B L , F M H N K Y V 8 5 - 1
140 J 2 .
> 4
350
INDIA

10. Tomorrow's Progress Today
INDIAN SCENARIO
1. 2 MeV EB MACHINE - AT BARC FOR R&D
3 MeV EB MACHINES ADDED IN 2003
2.5MeV added in AND IN 2011
MeV & 3 MeV – New Project of Apar Industries Limited
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11. Applications of Radiation Processing
Modifying Polymeric Materials
Curing Monomers and Oligomers
Grafting Monomers onto Polymers
Crosslinking Polymers
Degrading Polymers
Biological Applications
Sterilizing Medical Products
Disinfecting Consumer Products
Pasteurizing and Preserving Foods
Environmental Applications
Reducing Acid Rain
Treating Waste Materials
Solid State Applications
Modifying Semiconductors
Coloring Gemstones
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12. Applications of Radiation Processing
Materials Suitable for Grafting
A variety polymeric materials
Polyethylene, Polypropylene
Polyvinyl Chloride, Fluoropolymers
Cellulose, Wool
Property Improvements by Grafting
Addition of hydrophilic surfaces on hydrophobic
polymers to make perm selective membranes.
Fuel cell and battery separator films.
Improvement of surface adhesion properties.
Biocompatible materials for medical applications.
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13. Applications of Radiation Processing
Typical Materials for Crosslinking
Polyethylene
Polyvinylchloride
Polyvinylidenefluoride
Ethylene-propylene rubber
Ethylene vinylacetate
Polyacrylates
Products Improved by Crosslinking
Plastic Products in Finished Form
Heat Shrinkable Tubing and Film
Electrical Wire and Cable Jackets
Tires for Automobiles and Trucks
Plastic Foam Padding for Automobiles
Bulk Plastic Materials
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15. Tomorrow's Progress Today
Improve Material Properties through X-linking
Improved Heat Resistance
Improved Pressures(Stress Rupture)Resistance at elevated temperatures.
Improved environmental stress crack resistance
Mechanical properties such as tensile strength
Scratch resistance
Reliable and efficient use of energy.
Performance at temperatures, often increase in the melting temperature
Resistance to chemicals with lower solubility in organic solvent
Gas permeation reduction
Improved low temperature strength
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16. Tomorrow's Progress Today
Commercial Examples
Typical Polymer(s) Property Improved Due to E- Beam Processing
Foam PE
Improved cell structure, mechanical properties and appearance
Gaskets, Seals
PE, EVA,(TPE)
Improved heat properties, chemical resistance and resistance to compression
Heat Shrinkable Tubes / Films
PVC, PE, PVDF
“Memory” Imparted, chemical resistance
Medical Devices PP
Sterilization
Molded parts( Electronic Components) PA
Solder Iron Resistance
Molded parts(Automotive )
Improved heat deflection & operating temperature
PEX- Crosslinked flexible pipe
Increased heat distortion temperature, operating temp & dimensional stability
Recycling of Ram Materials
PTFE
Micronized Powders used in Inks, Lubricants and Coatings
Rubber
Various
Cold Vulcanization
Wire & Cable Insulation
PVC, PE
High temperature properties, chemical resistance, tensile strength, “low smoke/zero halogen”(PE)
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17. COMPARISON OF HDPE, PP(H) & X-LINKED HDPE
Sr.No.
Properties
HDPE
PP(H)
X-LINKED HDPE 1.
Continuous use
90 °C
120 °C 2.
Melting Temperature at 170 to 180 °C
Melts easily
Melts
Does not melt 3.
Oil Resistance at 150 °C for 24 Hrs.
Not Good (Melts & Dissolves)
Not Good
Very Good 4.
High Temperature ageing resistance (150 °C / 7 days)
Brittle
Good 5.
Hot Set Test at 200 °C for 15 Minutes
Fail
Pass 6.
ASTM Oil Swelling at 150 °C fir 24 Hrs.
Swelling very high > 40%
Swelling very high > 50%
Swelling very less < 10%
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18. Application of
Crosslinked Nylon 6

19. Automotive connectors, where higher temperature performance is required, are one application where crosslinkable nylon 6 compounds can exhibit cost-performance advantages over high-performance engineering thermoplastics.

20. Experimental setup for a simple test of nylon crosslinking (above)
Experimental setup for a simple test of nylon crosslinking (above). The 350 C soldering iron with a 1-kg load immediately penetrates the non-crosslinked nylon sample (below) but does not penetrate the crosslinked sample (bottom) after 30 sec.

21. Non Crosslink Crosslink By Electron Beam