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Title: Morphological characterization of O-rings from the GCEP long-term test program. [Dupont 1141, 3M 4762 and 4768, and Parker V884-75 O-rings]

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6530207

Based on the results of the morphological and structural characterizations reported herein the following conclusions have been reached. (1) O-rings of any of the four materials studied should last at least 10 years when employed in a standard static seal configuration utilizing a groove that holds the O-ring. (2) Such a static seal provides considerable protection from reaction. (3) The reaction of UF/sub 6/ with the O-ring material is the dominant degradation reaction; however there are effects on a least one compound that appear to be related to HF penetration into the O-ring matrix. The slow nature of the reaction of UF/sub 6/ with the flanged O-rings makes life projections quite difficult using any means. It would appear that one of the best methods for determining the life of these materials would be actual use combined with routine long-term inspection/sampling of a selected typical subset of O-rings. At GCEP conditions it would not be surprising to find the actual life of the O-rings is longer than any anticipated operation time of the plant facility. 16 figures, 1 table.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OT21400
OSTI ID:
6530207
Report Number(s):
K/PS-847; ON: DE85001047
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English