These free radicals are unstable and "seek" stability. They migrate along the polymer chains or jump between adjacent chains.
Electron beam (E-beam) crosslinking is a physical process that transforms a thermoplastic polymer into a thermoset-like material by using high-energy electrons to create a three-dimensional molecular network . Unlike chemical crosslinking, which relies on heat and chemical catalysts, E-beam processing is fast, precise, and occurs at room temperature. 1. The Physics of the Process How Does The Electron Beam Crosslinking Process...
The electrons collide with the polymer chains, knocking off hydrogen atoms and leaving behind "free radicals" (unpaired electrons) on the carbon backbone. These free radicals are unstable and "seek" stability
When two radicals on neighboring chains meet, they form a permanent covalent bond. This "bridge" is the crosslink. 3. Structural Transformation Unlike chemical crosslinking, which relies on heat and
It prevents melting and provides "burn-through" resistance, making it essential for high-heat automotive and aerospace wiring.