Radiation and thermal ageing studies of polymer materials used in cable insulation in nuclear power plants, 4; Polyvinylchloride (PVC)

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

The degradation of polyvinylchloride (PVC) of cable insulation was investigated by accelerated radiation and thermal ageing. The sheets of PVC as same formulation as cables were subjected to thermal ageing at temperature range 100-135C and/or to radiation ageing by Co-60 -rays at a dose rate of 1kGy/h in air. The degradation was evaluated by the tensile test and by the weight change. The relations between elongation at break and change of weight by loss of plasticizer were analyzed. At higher temperature, the plasticizer evaporates to cause the decay of tensile properties.