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Thermal and radiation degradation effects on fluoroelastomer destined to gasket applications in nuclear power plants

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Abstract

Fluoroelastomers are suitable materials for several applications at high temperature. The present paper presents the modifications of material stability of fluoroelastomer Tecnoflon FOR 80 HS under hard operation conditions: thermal and radiation degradation. The sequence of aging stages influences the oxidation state of polymer, which loses its thermal characteristics in the close relation with scission degrees. The chemiluminescence investigation and mechanical testing are the selected procedures for the evaluation of sustained degradation asked for the qualification of O-rings, buffers and gaskets destined to nuclear power plants. The contributions of the two kinds of degrading energies: heat and ionizing radiation are discussed by means of the values of activation energies, which may describe the modification in the oxidation strength. The high temperatures applied in the assessment of material stability (170, 195 and 220 °C) as well as the descendant shape dependencies of the CL intensity vs time indicate the damage tendency with respect to the progress of oxidation in polymer matrix. The large differences between the evolutions of oxidation in the nonisothermal CL spectra of Tecnoflon material depict the existence of different local concentrations of radicals. Their decay takes place over about 100 °C, after which various routes of degradation are followed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ROSEAL SA, 5A Nicolae Bălcescu, 535600, Odorheiu Secuiesc, Romania

    Tunde Borbath, Istvan Borbath & Traian Zaharescu

  2. INCDIE ICPE CA, 313 Splaiul Unirii, 030138, Bucharest, Romania

    Traian Zaharescu

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  1. Tunde Borbath
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  2. Istvan Borbath
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  3. Traian Zaharescu
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Correspondence to Traian Zaharescu.

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Borbath, T., Borbath, I. & Zaharescu, T. Thermal and radiation degradation effects on fluoroelastomer destined to gasket applications in nuclear power plants. J Therm Anal Calorim 147, 11139–11145 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-022-11366-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-022-11366-9

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