Electrical & Electronics
New perspectives through radiation crosslinked plastics
Plastics have long been known as good insulators in the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry. In the course of technical development, however, new and demanding requirements have been added. Temperature resistance or low flammability are performance characteristics of electrotechnical products. This is where even high-performance plastics such as LCP, PEEK or PEI reach their limits. They are not only expensive, but also difficult to process. Radiation crosslinked plastics open up new perspectives for the electrical industry.
In the electrical industry, components often have to withstand extreme conditions that push even high-performance plastics to their limits. The performance of radiation crosslinked plastics provides an alternative solution here, for example by extending the thermal application limits or increasing dielectric strength. Radiation crosslinked polyamides can be used to manufacture sophisticated components such as switching bridges, housings for contactors or cable insulation. They can withstand the high temperatures and heat resistance requirements without softening or melting. Crosslinking also reduces the flammability of the plastics and minimizes dripping behavior.
Register for our webinar on November 21, 2024 at 11:00 am and learn more about the latest trends, advantages and possibilities of radiation crosslinking for your cables and wires live from our experts!
Temperature resistance means that a plastic must be able to withstand high temperatures over a longer period of time and also fulfill its function during temperature peaks. For example, in the event of an electrical short-circuit, the plastic must not melt and cause the contact surfaces to stick together. Progressive miniaturization and new production technologies in the electrical engineering industry require:
The constantly growing catalog of requirements has led to the increased use of high-performance plastics. However, these materials make products more expensive, as high-performance plastics have their price. Alternatively, widely used standard and engineering plastics can be made fit for this demanding catalog of tasks using radiation crosslinking technology. Radiation crosslinked plastics are an economical solution in electrics and electronics without having to compromise on performance.
Are you interested in the potential of radiation crosslinking for the electrical industry? We would be happy to check your request for the irradiation of your products.
In the electrical industry, various plastics are already modified by radiation crosslinking, e.g. to improve their thermal properties. These include various polyamides (PA6 and PA66), including biopolyamides such as PA610, PA1010 and PA11. Radiation crosslinked biopolyamides could soon enrich the market for electronic components, connectors and cables. In addition, polyethylene (PE) is a commonly used radiation crosslinked polymer that is often used as an insulating material in cables and electronic components.
Radiation crosslinked plastics offer a wide range of possible applications in electrics and electronics. The spectrum extends all the way to electromobility. Here, radiation crosslinking enables the use of plastics in electronic components, connectors and cables that meet the requirements of these new technologies.