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Non-destructive evaluation of polyolefin thermal aging using infrared spectroscopy

Journal Article · · Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2261983· OSTI ID:1360624
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5];  [5];  [5]
  1. U.S. Dept. of Energy (United States)
  2. Ohio Aerospace Institute (United States)
  3. The Pennsylvania State Univ. (United States)
  4. Univ. of Massachusetts Lowell (United States)
  5. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (United States)

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is an information-rich method that reveals chemical bonding near the surface of polymer composites. FTIR can be used to verify composite composition, identify chemical contaminants and expose composite moisture content. Polymer matrix changes due to thermal exposure including loss of additives, chain scission, oxidation and changes in crystallinity may also be determined using FTIR spectra. Portable handheld instruments using non-contact reflectance or surface contact attenuated total reflectance (ATR) may be used for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of thermal aging in polymer and composite materials of in-service components. We report the use of ATR FTIR to track oxidative thermal aging in ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) materials used in medium voltage nuclear power plant electrical cable insulation and jacketing. Mechanical property changes of the EPR and CPE materials with thermal degradation for correlation with FTIR data are tracked using indenter modulus (IM) testing. IM is often used as a local NDE metric of cable jacket health. The FTIR-determined carbonyl index was found to increase with IM and may be a valuable NDE metric with advantages over IM for assessing cable remaining useful life.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1360624
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1364013
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA--121179
Journal Information:
Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, Journal Name: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering Vol. 10169; ISSN 0277-786X
Publisher:
SPIECopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (3)

Photo-, thermal and natural ageing of ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM) rubber used in automotive applications. Influence of carbon black, crosslinking and stabilizing agents journal March 2000
What does the future hold for composites in transportation markets? journal January 2017
A Study on the Aging Degradation of Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer (Epdm) Under loca Condition journal June 2011

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