Radiation Resistance of Cable Insulating Materials for Nuclear Power Generating Stations

The radiation resistance of sixteen types of representative rubber and plastic materials for cable insulation was studied. The endurance of some crosslinked polymers under the combined environment of thermal aging-radiation-steam (high temperature) was also examined in relation to the chlorine contents of the base polymer and additives (antioxidant, vulcanizers, etc.). Crosslinked polyethylene insulation and polyvinylchloride jacket cables were tested by the IEEE Std. -383 method. The results showed that those cables were not satisfactory under loss of coolant accident (LOCA) simulating conditions. The cables utilizing EP rubber insulation and special chloroprene jacket have been found to pass the IEEE-383 test.