The plastics and rubber industries face numerous challenges. However, your company can meet or even exceed its business objectives by implementing the right electrotechnologies.

Whether you're looking to enhance the quality of your products or gain better control over your manufacturing cycles, unit costs or plant's energy efficiency, Hydro-Québec can help you!

Having contributed to the successful implementation of over 110 projects relating to plastics and rubber, our experts are well positioned to understand your needs and expectations in the area of electrotechnologies and industrial processes and come up with effective solutions.

Main applications and potential benefits

Predrying, drying and refrigeration (Bulk products)

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Heat pump Recovery of energy from refrigeration units; inherent thermal storage capability Highly efficient: Coefficient of performance (COP) ranging from 3 to 5 (1 kWh of electricity can produce the equivalent of 3-5 kWh of thermal energy)

Heating of extruder dies, barrels, tanks, cables, etc.

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Induction Precise, controlled temperature Very low thermal inertia Localized thermal effect

Drying after coating or sizing

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Electric resistanc Simple heating system that's economical to buy and operate Precise, controlled temperature

Heating in convection or conventional ovens

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Electric resistance Gelling or polymerization of plastics Drying and polymerization of impregnation in electrical construction Drying and curing paints, lacquers and coatings on plastic surfaces Heating or dehydrating plastics or rubber Simple to use

Heating before thermoforming

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Mid or long infrared (IR) Use of heating plates for thermoforming, heating before bending, drawing and cutting Power density approximately 15 kW/m2 (long infrared) Quick and easy to use Power density regulation by zone Very good energy efficiency rating

Heating of metal parts or liquid baths

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Sheathed resistance heaters (strip, band or mica-insulated flat heaters) Simple heating system that's economical to buy and operate Precise, controlled temperature Surface load on the order of 4-16 W/cm2

Curing polymers or glues (polymerization)

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Microwave (MW) High-frequency (HF) Relatively short curing times Precise temperature Good quality drying: no overheating of surfaces High energy efficiency

Preheating and welding

	Electrotechnologies Benefits High-frequency (HF) Welding plastics Preheating plastics before molding Preheating rubber before vulcanization Product dries quickly and evenly High energy efficiency Less wear and tear on molds Better quality of molded parts Temperature rises fast

Preheating before molding and vulcanization

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Microwave (MW) Preheating before die casting and heating extruded profiles to rubber's vulcanization temperature Very quick rise in temperature of entire mass of rubber Good dimensional stability Significant energy savings compared with traditional processes (consumption of a typical line varies between 0.15 and 0.17 kWh/kg of profiles)

Welding and polymerization

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Microwave (MW) Welding plastic sheets High energy efficiency Relatively short processing times

Metalizing, crosslinking and grafting

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Electronic bombardment Electron beam (EB) Metalizing heat-sensitive substances Crosslinking of plastic sheaths (PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, PPS and polyacrylate) on electric and telephone cables Manufacturing of improved polyethylene shrink-wrap films and tubes: Greater impact resistance Glossier and clearer, thanks to greater stretchability Extremely pure layers Better hot/cold tack and resistance to aging and stress cracking

Gluing coatings and adhesives on plastics

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Corona discharge Cleaning surface impurities Changing surface roughness Chemical grafting Increasing surface energy through physicochemical action Processing polyethylene and polypropylene films

Cutting, vaporizing, breaking down and depolymerizing plastics

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Laser Drilling holes, making grooves, etc. Increased productivity (faster processing, high precision, suitable for automated operation)

Sterilization

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Ultraviolet (UV) Gas ozonation Low specific consumption Easily adapted to work with existing equipment Short sterilization times Suitable for dry processing Chlorine not needed for sterilization

Heat treatment (Polymerizing resins and coatings, Gelling various coatings, Thermosetting dyes)

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Infrared (IR) Low specific consumption Superior surface finish Easily adapted to work with existing equipment Faster treatment Suitable for focused treatment

Depolymerization

	Electrotechnologies Benefits High-speed mechanical grinding Ultrasound Homogenizing solutions

Testimonials

Acrylique Weedon For Acrylique Weedon, electric infrared heating played a key role in optimizing its thermoforming process. More

Pelican International Electric infrared heating was instrumental in improving Pelican International's thermoforming processes. More