Advanced Materials, Plenary: David A. Vroom

14:15 - 15:00 Monday 22 September | Plenary Session 2: Advanced Materials
David A. Vroom, PhD: Formerly Director of R&D Raychem/Tyco - Consultant in Radiation Processing

Presentation

Abstract
The development of materials suitable for radiation processing is a complex process that involves understanding customer requirements, product design, manufacturing processes, regulatory issues and the individual and synergistic effects of radiation on all components of the material. New products are generally smaller, greener and more robust than earlier versions.

Today, advanced materials suitable for radiation processing can be loosely separated into two main categories. The first of these are materials that are formulated to have superior physical and chemical properties when irradiated. In addition these new materials may be designed to meet the continually more restrictive regulatory environment that is part of the world we live in today. These materials are generally developed for use in medical, military, mass transit, utility, industrial and other market areas where superior performance is required and cost is not a major driver.

The second category is low cost materials that have the properties required for their intended use but are specifically designed to meet those requirements at the lowest possible cost. Low raw material cost, raw material availability, superior manufacturability and the ability to meet regulatory requirements are major concerns in the development of these materials. These low cost materials are commonly used in the manufacture of automotive, electronic and other consumer goods where low cost, high quality and volume availability are important. These materials are often as, or more complex than high specification materials because of the formulation challenges that must be overcome to meet customer specifications and manufacturability and regulatory requirements at the lowest possible cost.

Biography
David Vroom has over 30 years experience in the industrial use of radiation in the sterilization and plastics industries. He is recently retired from Tyco / Raychem and is currently involved in consulting for the radiation processing industry. In the 1970's, he was instrumental in establishing an electron accelerator radiation processing facility at IRT Corp. that was used for sterilisation, semi-conductor irradiation, gem stone enhancement and cross-linking of plastics. This facility is currently part of Sterigenics International. In 1981, Dr Vroom joined Raychem Corp. as a Director of R&D managing the process development function. He later served as Manufacturing Manager of a Raychem division making self limiting heaters for the transportation and electronics industries before moving into a position managing Raychem's radiation facilities and radiation technology world wide. In this position David Vroom has overseen the repair and maintenance of various types of accelerator equipment, participated the construction of radiation facilities in several countries, advised the Corporation on radiation protection programs, directed development projects related to new accelerator designs and novel product transport systems, maintained the corporate radiation dosimetry standards and assisted in the development of protocols for the radiation processing of new products.