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Our team has developed and patented a method of processing PTFE with radiation, which allows us to obtain blocks of up to 1-meter long Raflon™ material and various composites based on it. The method made it possible to controllably increase the wear resistance of the material by up to 10,000 times, reduce the creep by up to 100 times and increase
the radiation resistance by 300 times, and also program other physical and mechanical properties by selecting unique modification conditions, which makes it possible to create materials with specified properties for solving various problems. Also we have created all the necessary unique technological equipment. During the production of Raflon™ material no harmful substances are released.
Raflon™ is a nanostructured polytetrafluoroethylene produced by ionizing radiation modification of billet of various geometries. This process leads to a fundamental change in the structure and morphology of the polymer. The lamellar structure of PTFE transforms into a spherulite structure consisted of nanofibrils radiating outward from one common center. This structure is characterized by isotropy and significantly higher physical and mechanical properties in terms of wear resistance and cold flow compared to PTFE.
Process description: 1. Billets are produced from PTFE and composites based on it. 2. Billets of PTFE and composites are placed in a thermoradiation chamber (TRC) in which a special gaseous environment is created and a given temperature regime is maintained. 3. Further, the thermoradiation chamber is directed to the irradiation zone, where the procedure of treatment with ionizing radiation on an electron accelerator is performed. 4. After cessation of irradiation billets are cooled at a controlled rate. 5. Cooled billets of PTFE and composites based on it are taken out of the TRC and the final inspection is carried out. Upon the successful completion of the final inspection, billets are sent to the machining section.
Our buisness model: 1. Sale of a license to manufacture Raflon ™ materials: o Sale of equipment for radiation modification of materials; o Royalties from patents (technology patented in 6 countries)
2. Sale of Raflon ™ materials to end users: Cost of Raflon material = 11 USD per kg. Selling price: 1. General industrial application = 23 USD per kg. 2. Medical application = 50 USD per kg.
Raflon ™ is the base material for several industries: 1. Bearing market. Market size is 57 billion dollars. Raflon ™ solves the problem of wear and radiation resistance of composite bearings. Raflon ™ Share: ~ $ 3 billion per year. 2. The market for seals and gaskets. Market size is 119.8 billion dollars. Raflon ™ solves the problem of wear and radiation resistance of sealing materials, including in cryogenic applications. Raflon ™ Share: ~ $ 7 billion per year. 3. Market of prostheses. Market size is $ 25 billion. Share of liners: ~ $ 2 billion per year. Raflon ™ solves the problem of wear and tear of endoprosthesis liners and extends their lifespan beyond human life expectancy. That will eliminate the need to replace liners and avoid repeated surgical intervention. Manufacturing cost is lower than currently used materials. The potential market for Raflon ™ is $ 12 billion.