Evaluación del efecto de dos sistemas de radiación ionizante aplicados en el proceso de degradación de bolsas con aditivo pro-oxidante

Abstract

The effect of two ionizing radiation systems applied on the degradation process of bags containing pro-oxidant additives has been evaluated to study how polymers could change under low radiation doses. Bags were irradiated by a Cobalt-60 source and an electron beam with 5 and 10 kGy. Then, irradiated bags were degraded in an oven and a xenon arc chamber. Bags containing additives did not show important changes in their structure after the treatment with ionizing radiation and thermal degradation. Meanwhile, the Xenon chamber and ionizing energy treatment caused an elongation percent at failure up to 10.66% with the combination of Co-60 irradiation facility at 10 kGy; the highest carbonyl index was 2.6909 in electron accelerator at 5 kGy and the maximum percentage of crystallization was 59.2% under the same conditions of previous irradiation. Process design and cost analysis indicated that treating 6,000 kg/day bags will cost $ 15.14/kg. The process would consist of a cleaning system, the electron accelerator at 5 kGy dose, and Xe arc chambers. In conclusion, the combination of ionizing radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and temperature allows breaking the polyethylene chains trough accelerating the activation of the pro-oxidant additive.