Aging Predictions in Nuclear Power Plants–Crosslinked Polyolefin and EPR Cable Insulation Materials
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
In two earlier reports, we derived a time-temperature-dose rate superposition methodology, which, when applicable, can be used to predict cable degradation versus dose rate, temperature and exposure time. This methodology results in long-term predictive capabilities at the low dose rates appropriate to ambient nuclear power plant aging environments. The methodology was successfully applied to numerous important cable materials used in nuclear applications and the extrapolated predictions were verified by comparisons with long-term (7 to 12 year) results for similar or identical materials aged in nuclear environments. In this report, we test the methodology on three crosslinked polyolefin (CLPO) and two ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) cable insulation materials. The methodology applies to one of the CLPO materials and one of the EPR materials, allowing predictions to be made for these materials under low dose-rate, low temperature conditions. For the other materials, it is determined that, at low temperatures, a decrease in temperature at a constant radiation dose rate leads to an increase in the degradation rate for the mechanical properties. Since these results contradict the fundamental assumption underlying time-temperature-dose rate superposition, this methodology cannot be applied to such data. As indicated in the earlier reports, such anomalous results might be expected when attempting to model data taken across the crystalline melting region of semicrystalline materials. Nonetheless, the existing experimental evidence suggests that these CLPO and EPR materials have substantial aging endurance for typical reactor conditions. 28 refs., 26 figs., 3 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5419196
- Report Number(s):
- SAND--91-0822; ON: DE91016060
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Time-temperature-dose rate superposition: A methodology for predicting cable degradation under ambient nuclear power plant aging conditions
Initiation of Experimental Campaign to Address Knowledge Gaps Related to Simultaneous Thermal and Gamma Radiation Aging of Crosslinked Polyethylene and Ethylene-Propylene Rubber Cable Insulation
Related Subjects
220200* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
220900 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360106 -- Metals & Alloys-- Radiation Effects
AGING
ALKENES
CABLES
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
DATA
DOSES
ELECTRIC CABLES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL INSULATION
EQUIPMENT
ETHYLENE
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HYDROCARBONS
INFORMATION
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POWER PLANTS
PROPYLENE
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
STANDARDS
THERMAL DEGRADATION
THERMAL POWER PLANTS