In 1957, in a small building in Redwood City, Raychem<\/strong> pioneers changed the world of materials science forever [12, 13]. By applying the new science of radiation chemistry<\/strong> to polymers, they created a phenomenon known as “Elastic Memory”<\/strong>\u2014the foundation of every DR-25 tube we manufacture today [14-16].<\/p>\n Standard plastics melt when heated. However, when we expose polymers to high-energy electron beam radiation<\/strong>, we create covalent bonds between polymer chains\u2014a process called cross-linking<\/strong> [17-19]. These bonds act like a molecular web, tying the molecules together so the material becomes non-melting and incredibly tough [15, 18].<\/p>\n Managing the radiation dose<\/strong> is critical; too little and the material won’t shrink properly; too much and it becomes brittle [19]. With 20 years of precision manufacturing, we control this process to ensure every inch of our DR-25<\/strong> offers optimum high-temperature fluid resistance and abrasion protection [17, 23].<\/p>\nCovalent Bonds: The Molecular Magic<\/h2>\n
The Two-Stage Process of Heat Shrink<\/h2>\n
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Why Our 20-Year Heritage Matters<\/h2>\n
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\n \nFeature<\/th>\n Irradiated (Cross-linked)<\/th>\n Non-Irradiated (Thermoplastic)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n High Temp Resistance<\/td>\n Non-melting \/ Stable<\/td>\n Melts \/ Flows<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Chemical Resistance<\/td>\n Superior (Inert)<\/td>\n Poor (Dissolves\/Swells)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Elastic Memory<\/td>\n Permanent<\/td>\n None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n