PLASTICS IN NUCLEAR

APPLICATIONS

Tushar Parida
NPCIL , MUMBAI
14th Jan 2004
 Material Selection Criteria
• Radiation Resistance
• Corrosion Resistance
• Temperature Resistance
• High Mechanical Strength
• Good Wear Resistance properties
• safety
• Availability
• Cost
 Material Used
• Concrete
• Steel
• Nickel alloys
• Titanium
• Zirconium
• Hafnium
• Polymers – Plastics, Elastomers & Coatings
• Glass
• Graphite
• Asbestos
 Why PLASTIC vs METALS
• Strength to weight ratio for some engg polymers like PEEK
is > steel.
• Specially reinforced composites offer much higher strength
as compared to steel.
• Like metal alloys polymer alloys with optimum properties
can be manufactured.
• Offers high level of Electrical insulation unlike metals
which are conductive.
• Lighter in weight
• Corrosion resistant
• Ease of fabrication of complicated shapes by Injection
Moulding.
 Why PLASTIC vs GLASS
• Un-breakable nature unlike Glass which are
brittle.
• Some polymers like PES offers transparency
like glass.
• Lower in weight & design flexibility like unlike
glass.
 Polymers – Radiation Resistant
• For High level of Radiation resistance
– Polyetheylene (Neutron shielding polymers)
– Silicone (Neutron shielding polymers)
– Polyamides & Polyimides
– Fluoroelastomers
– Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK)
(The best polymer for Nuclear application)
– Polyether Sulfone (PES)
– Polyphenylene Sulfone (PPSU)- super tough
• For lower level of Radiation Resistance
– PTFE (not suitable for higher doses)
• Nitrile Rubber based formulation
• EPDM rubber based formulation.
 Coatings
• Polymeric Coatings
– Chlorinated Rubbers
– Epoxies
– Polyvinylidene Fluoride
– Water based coatings (environment friendly)
– PES/PEEK BASED COATINGS
• Specialised Coatings
– Graphite/ MoS2 based coatings
GAFONE-PES PUMP LINING
 Polymers- Applications
• Gaskets
• Valve Diaphragms
• Electrical cables
• Bushings, Gaskets & Seals
• Insulation & Sheathing for Electrical Cables
• Lubricants
• Pneumatic pipes
• Adhesives
• Sealed Glove boxes
– Windows made from Polycarbonate/ acrylic/ PVC
– Window Seals from Fluoropolymers / EPDM /
Nitrile rubber
– Gloves made from Chlorosulfonated Polyetheylene
 PES-APPLICATION
• NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS
– PES shows good resistance to beta & gamma
radiations.
– PES has survived LOCA (loss of coolant
accident) tests for use in Nuclear Installations
 PEEK- APPLICATIONS
• PEEK- CABLE SHEATHING
– PEEK is one of the highest radiation resistant
thermoplastic.
– Because of its fatigue property, wear resistance, hardness, it
finds application as sheathing material for Electrical
conductors.
• PEEK-VALVE SEATS / SEALS
– It has good wear resistant properties
– Excellent hardness & self lubricating nature
• PEEK-BUSHINGS
– Used in Mechanical Pulley systems needed to transport
probes in reactor installations.
 MISC. APPLICATIONS
• Transportation of Nuclear materials
– Safety of the material handling system
• Equipments for dissolution of spent nuclear fuel in
HnO3 &
– Separation of its constituents
– Ensure the waste produced are rendered harmless.
• All the above jobs requires Radiation safe
materials (plastics/ steel etc).
 GATONE PEEK
CABLE INSULATION
PEEK- Industrial components
PEEK- stock shapes
 Radiation Resistance of Polymers
1.E+09

1.E+08
Gamma Dose (Rads)

1.E+07

1.E+06

1.E+05

1.E+04

1.E+03

1.E+02

1.E+01

1.E+00

PEEK Polyimide PSU PC Acetal PTFE

 GATONE™ PEEK

Tested for received

100 mrad Gamma Ray Radiation

At BRIT, MUMBAI

No Change in Properties
Radiation Resistance of Polyethersulfone

Irradiation Dose Tensile Yield Str. Elongation

temperature(oC) (mrad) (psix 10e3) at Break (%)

control 12.33 130

20 30 12.62 90
100 60 12.33 37
Beta Radiation 150 30 12.18 100
200 25 11.75 94
210 25 11.89 84
220 50 11.46 50

Irradiation Does Tensile Yield Str. Elongation

temperature(oC) (mrad) (psix 10e3) at Break (%)
control 11.6 140
Gama Irradiation 25 50 11.75 120
(room temp.) 25 100 11.02 30
25 200 12.18 34
25 250 10.73 18
 THANK YOU

do VISIT US AT

www.ghardapolymers.com
email: polymer@gharda.com