EBeam Testing
The combination of our EBeam Lab and EBeam Engine allows you to easily trial your product and to scale up your manufacturing process all on one site.
Introduction
This capability is unique in the UK and was created at STFC Daresbury Laboratory specifically to align with industry needs.
Electron-beam (ebeam) processing or electron irradiation is a process which uses electrons, usually of a high energy, to modify materials for a variety of different uses. This may take place under elevated temperatures and in an inert nitrogen atmosphere.
Ebeam processing works as the electron beam breaks chemical bonds within materials leading to three potential outcomes:
- Leave the bond broken (e.g. sterilisation)
- Let it bond to itself (e.g. cross-linking of polymers, curing of inks)
- Let it bond to something else (e.g. grafting of biocompatible materials on membranes)
Technical Specifications
- Our Ebeam Lab allows you to start exploring novel materials and processes.
- With an electron beam energy of 80 keV to 200 keV and able to take samples up to A4 in size (216 mm × 297 mm x 50mm) our system is versatile to use for many applications.
- Transport speeds of up to 30m/min and doses of up to 45 kGy in a single pass can be accommodated.
- The EBeam Lab is fitted with a nitrogen inerting system which enabling research with oxygen sensitive chemistries.
- Major applications includes material modification, such as cross-linking of polymers and surface sterilisation.
- Replacing current thermal or ultra violet processing with electron beams could significantly reduce the need for toxic chemicals and energy consumption, supporting your sustainability goals.
How to apply to use this facility
For more information and all enquiries, please contact us.
