Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam
and Plasma Technology FEP
Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam
and Plasma Technology FEP

REAMODE

Experimental equipment for modifying organic materials using accelerated electrons

Eggs under electron veil for disinfection

The REAMODE equipment uses an electron beam to modify surfaces for a variety of applications and to sterilize /disinfect surfaces and products.

The equipment parameters can be adjusted in order to control the penetration depth of the electrons and the intensity of the electron beam. This allows materials to be modified in a customized way.

For example, lacquers can be efficiently cured, polymer surfaces can be modified and crosslinked, and products can be disinfected or sterilized. The equipment has three different transport modules that allow treatment of substrates with 2-D or 3-D geometries, as well as bulk goods.

The substrates can be processed in the equipment under atmospheric pressure, under protective gas atmosphere, and under reduced pressure.

Applications

  • Hardening and curing of lacquers, paints, polymer layers and papers
  • Modification, crosslinking and grafting of polymer films, surfaces and granulates as well as fibers and fillers
  • Degradation of synthetic and biological polymers, like cellulose
  • Sterilization / disinfection of surfaces, also inside a packaging
  • Germ reduction on surfaces of raw materials and packaging systems
  • Modification of natural oils
  • Testing, evaluation, and maintenance of electron beam sources

Technical specifications

Electron beam source
UV beam source – UMEX		 max. 2,5 kW bei 200 kV
max. 3,0 kW
Penetration (treatment) depth 10 ... 200 μm
Dynamic dosing max. 10.000 kGy × mm/s
Usable chamber size (W × H × D)
Max. electron beam source flange dimensions		 900 × 1100 × 1300 mm
1000 × 800 mm
Modular equipment concept
• rapid module and sample change
• adaptable and extendable		 Linear transport module for 2-D and 3-D
• product samples up to 300 × 400 × 300 mm
• substrate speed 0.05 ... 2 m/s
• load capacity of substrate platform max. 5.0 kg
Rounding module for bulk goods with
• particle sizes > 500 μm
• speed range 200 ... 1000 rpm
• filling quantity (max. 3.0 kg)
Robot arm for 3-D substrates
• load capacity: max. 5.0 kg
• substrate size up to 350 × 230 × 100 mm
Prozessbedingungen Different atmospheres, vacuum
Process gas (air, CO2, N2), inert gas (Ar)
Treatment temperature max. 360°C
Prozessmesstechnik High resolution IR thermography
Various dosimetry systems
Optical high dose measurement up to 5000 kGy
Online beam monitoring
Process data acquisition and accompanying process and product analysis, temperature monitoring and control (chamber, substrate)
Schematic representation of the REAMODE equipment
Thermographic picture of an electron beam exit window
Polymer granulate in rounding module

Our offer

  • Feasibility studies and technology development in the area of surface treatment
  • Identification of optimum process parameters for your application
  • Product development for lacquers and polymer surfaces
  • Accompanying chemical, mechanical, and microbiological analysis of surfaces
  • Development and realization of new and customized electron beam sources
  • Maintenance and repair of electron beam sources

Further information