Degradation mechanisms of cable insulation materials during radiation-thermal ageing in radiation environment

Seguchi, Tadao*; Tamura, Kiyotoshi; Oshima, Takeshi; Shimada, Akihiko; Kudo, Hisaaki*

The cables applied in radiation facility such as a nuclear power plant degrade by radiation and thermal combined ageing. The degradation of polymers for cable insulation is induced by oxidation, and the oxidation is accelerated by synergism of radiation and thermal oxidation. The degradation mechanisms were studied at accelerated degradation for various cable insulation materials. The distribution of degradation in film samples was investigated with various techniques. It was found that the antioxidant agent for stabilizer of insulation materials is closely related to the synergism. With progress of ageing, the concentration of effective antioxidant decreases by radiation decomposition and also by evaporation in thermal ageing. When the concentration of antioxidant is reduced to a limited value, the thermal oxidation is progressing.