Activation of
Polymer Materials

Polymers like PTFE or PEEK are increasingly applied in mechanical engineering. These cannot be implanted using nuclear reactions because of the missing metallic components. However, a solution is the labeling by implantation of radioactive ions, preferable of Be-7.
The technological progress leads to decreasing wear rates. The thickness of wear protecting layers is within the range of µm. The implantation of radioactive ions allows the radioactive labeling of layers in the range of some µm with a profitable yield in comparison to the conventional labeling.
Desired side-effects:

• The filmy radioactive layers stay far below the free handling limits → no license, easy handling.
• The implantation of radioactive ions prevents the material from damage: 8 orders of magnitude lower stress for material in comparison to the conventional method (labeling by nuclear reactions).

Please click to enlarge:

Lightbox Polymer Activation

Polymer Belts

Polymer Gear Wheel

Range of labeling in polymeric material

Vacuum chamber for labeling of polymeric material

DLC and Polymer Materials

RTM-Übersichtsarbeit (en)