Methods for reducing the reactivity of articles destined for disposal

摘要

Containers (20-20) which held UV curable acrylate materials commonly used as coating materials for drawn optical fiber are treated prior to disposal. Because of the presence of acrylate residues therewithin, the container cannot be disposed of in a landfill and has been incinerated. This problem has been overcome by exposing the residue within the container to suitable reproducible radiation determined in accordance with the photochemistry of the residue materials to cure completely the remaining acrylate material and thereby reduce its reactivity.