On the mechanism of radiation and thermal-induced degradation of the insulation cables in nuclear power plants-the presence of long-lived polyenyl C-centered radicals

Gharazi, Salimeh; Mecadon, Kevin R.; Gonzalez-Lopez, Lorelis; Al-Sheikhly, Mohamad

doi:10.1016/j.radphyschem.2022.110603

On the mechanism of radiation and thermal-induced degradation of the insulation cables in nuclear power plants-the presence of long-lived polyenyl C-centered radicals

Journal Article · Wed Oct 26 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Radiation Physics and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2022.110603· OSTI ID:2424997

Gharazi, Salimeh ^[1]; Mecadon, Kevin R. ^[1]; Gonzalez-Lopez, Lorelis ^[1]; Al-Sheikhly, Mohamad ^[1]

Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States)

Radiolytically and thermally produced long-lived polyenyl C-centered radicals in the nuclear power plants’ insulation cables are detected and measured after more than 45 months of aging since the irradiation and the thermal treatment. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) results of the irradiated Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE) and Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EthProRu), used as primary insulation materials at Nuclear Power Plants (NPP), clearly demonstrate the presence of polyenyl radicals along with allyl and peroxyl radicals. The yields of these free radicals are dose-rate dependent. EPR results also show the presence of the long-lived polyenyl along with allyl and peroxyl free radicals in the thermally treated XLPE, and EthProRu. These free radicals can cause a major failure in the performance of these cables in NPPs. Besides, the results showed the enhancement in the oxidation reactions due to the migration of copper ions from the conductor to the bulk of the insulation. Further, this study also shows that the oxidation index (OI) and Elongation at Break (EAB) increases and decreases respectively at higher doses and temperatures.

Research Organization:: FOA Grant 0001129

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 2424997

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1962194

Journal Information:: Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Journal Name: Radiation Physics and Chemistry Journal Issue: A Vol. 203; ISSN 0969-806X

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Related Subjects

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
Insulation cables
Long-lived polyenyl C-Centered radicals
Radiation and thermal degradation

On the mechanism of radiation and thermal-induced degradation of the insulation cables in nuclear power plants-the presence of long-lived polyenyl C-centered radicals

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