The Effect of Nuclear Radiation on Elastomeric and Plastic Components and Materials
Abstract
Organic materials are susceptible to damage from all types of nuclear radiation. Consequently, plastics and particularly elastomers, present serious problems in connection with the development of components and systems for nuclear powered vehicles. In addition to being susceptible to damage by radiation, many of these rubber and plastic materials are adversely affected by environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures (-100 to +500 F), vacuum, oxidizing atmospheres (ozone), and various types of fuels, lubricants, and hydraulic fluids. Although there are a number of organic materials which have radiation resistance in the range required, they are not useful in the construction of many components and systems because they are lacking in some other needed property. For example, polystyrene has very good radiation resistance but low strength and heat resistance. Therefore, the major problem is to develop materials which will resist radiation and which are also satisfactory in the environments mentioned above.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0267890
Entities
People
- N. J. Broadway
- R. W. King
- S. Palinchak
Organizations
- Battelle Memorial Institute