Radiation and thermal ageing studies of silicone rubber (SiR) used in cable insulation in nuclear power plants

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

Silicone rubber (SiR) is used widely in cable insulation in nuclear power plants. SiR sheets with different formulation were examined on the two points, specimen's thickness and thermal and radiation combined accelerated ageing. The 0.5 and 2 mm thick sheets were aged by thermal at up to 235C and Co rays radiation with 1 kGy/h up to 800 kGy. The degradation was measured by tensile testing and gel fraction and swelling experiments. For check the distribution of degradation in depth of sheet, the 2 mm sheet sample was sliced by 0.3 mm thickness after ageing. The results indicated that the degradation progressed uniformly throughout the 2 mm thick sheet. For the ageing combination, the degradation by three different combinations was examined, that is, (a) simultaneous ageing, (b) thermal and radiation sequential ageing, and (c) radiation and thermal reversed sequential ageing. Elongation at break indicated that the order of degradation mild to severe was reverse sequential, sequential, simultaneous ageing. The study was supported by Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA), Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).