ИСТИНА

Tetra Pak hydraulic separation can be upgraded by inserting an electron beam treatment step at the start of the production line. Irradiation of a wet cut Tetra Pak at 30-75 kGy leads to a rapid swelling of the cardboard layer and, thereby, to an increase in its permeability to water and air. Radiation degradation of cellulose and radiation crosslinking of polyethylene contribute to faster and better separation of layers to obtain isolated materials. In parallel, surface oxidation of polyethylene occurs, which is observed by a decrease in the contact angle and chemical oxygen consumption. The cost price of Tetra Pak irradiation depends on the irradiator power and in the large-scale mode can be less than $ 4 per ton. Lyophilization of the surface under irradiation is also typical for such plastics as PP, PS, PC, PET and PVC. Accordingly, irradiated plastics become more melt-compatible with materials used in the creation of multi-component composites (for example, road surfaces).