Mechanical strength of low-temperature-irradiated polyimides: a five-to-tenfold improvement in dose resistance over epoxies

Conference · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6167383

Coltman, Jr, R R; Klabunde, C E

Neutronics calculations by Engholm show that without additional shielding even the first fusion test reactors such as the Fusion Engineering Device will produce lifetime doses at magnet insulator locations that exceed the radiation tolerance of glass-fabric-filled (gff) epoxies now used. To explore the possible use of an alternative insulator, the mechanical strength of pure and recently available gff polyimides was studied as a function of gamma-ray irradiation at 4.9 K to 100 MGy (10/sup 10/ rads). After a postirradiation anneal at 307/sup 0/K the flexure and compressive strengths of the gff materials measured at 77/sup 0/K were reduced by up to 40% for 100 MGy while the pure material changed little. Testing done at 300/sup 0/K gave similar results, but all stress values were about 40% less. Compared to earlier epoxy studies we find that, overall, the gff polyimides are 5 to 10 times more radiation resistant than comparably prepared gff epoxies.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6167383
• Report Number(s): CONF-810831-15; ON: DE81025469
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360603 -- Materials-- Properties
360605* -- Materials-- Radiation Effects
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700209 -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Component Development & Materials Testing
ANNEALING
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL INSULATORS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EPOXIDES
EQUIPMENT
GAMMA RADIATION
HEAT TREATMENTS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC INSULATORS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS