Mercury Plastics, a leading provider of innovative thermoplastic solutions, has announced the $15M expansion of its facility in northeast Ohio to house a 10 MeV electron beam accelerator, making it one of only a few companies in North America with this technology.
Mercury Plastics has long been recognized as an industry leader in providing unique approaches to custom thermoplastic products used in the appliance, automotive, construction, electrical, faucet, liquid dispensing, marine, medical, off-shore oil exploration and plumbing markets. For 25 years, Mercury Plastics has employed electron beam technology to offer unique benefits to its customers’ products, including improvement of long-term physical characteristics, chemical resistance, stress cracking and kink resistance, abrasion and wear resistance, and increased temperature capability.
The commissioning of this equipment is the second of its kind for the company, which currently operates a 5 MeV accelerator. The 10 MeV unit employs proven accelerator technology, provides increased power, and delivers excellent dose uniformity. A nearly 21,000-square foot expansion to their current facility was required to house this equipment.
“Mercury Plastics has been on the leading edge of utilizing this type of niche technology in the manufacture of thermoplastic products for decades,” said Jay Burnett, President of Mercury Plastics. “Investment in a new electron beam accelerator demonstrates our commitment to supporting the long-term growth strategies of our current customers, and it also expands our capacity and ability to bring this unique technology to newer markets.”
A wide range of products benefit from electron beam processing, including tubing, wire and cable, molded components for electrical and electronic applications, heat shrink film and tubing, heat trace cable, gaskets and foam, rubber products and sheet film.