Aging of Weapon Seals – An Update on Butyl O-ring Issues

S&T Accomplishment Report · Wed Jul 13 04:00:00 EDT 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1130326· OSTI ID:1130326

Wilson, Mark H.

During testing under the Enhanced Surveillance Campaign in 2001, preliminary data detected a previously unknown and potentially serious concern with recently procured butyl o-rings on several programs. All butyl o-rings molded from a proprietary formulation throughout the period circa 1999 through 2001 had less than a full cure. Engineering judgment was that under curing is detrimental and could possibly lead to sub-optimum performance or, in the worst case, premature seal failure. An aging study was undertaken to ensure that suspect o-rings installed in the stockpile will retain sufficient sealing force for a minimum ten-year service life. A new prediction model developed for this study indicates suspect o-rings do not need to be replaced before the ten-year service life. Long-term testing results are reported on a yearly basis to validate the prediction model. This report documents the aging results for the period September 2002 to January 2011.

• Research Organization: Kansas City Plant (KCP), Kansas City, MO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• OSTI ID: 1130326
• Report Number(s): KCP-613-8931
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE