First tests results for determination of seal life of EPDM O-rings at high temperature (determined by unique method)

Abstract

A recurrent concern in the design of packaging for the transportation of radioactive material is to determine the life of elastomeric O-rings at a high temperature. Following a precedent paper presenting the TN International method for the determination of ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) O-rings seal life, a first series of tests results have been obtained. These first results are used with the previously mentioned method to see that the EPDM seal life did follow an Arrhenius curve. This Arrhenian behaviour is verified below a certain 'threshold temperature' that seems to be the upper limit for the use of such elastomeric O-ring grades. With the 'seal life versus temperature' curve obtained from these tests results, the time–temperature profile of O-rings in casks can then be benchmarked with the seal resistance and its 'maximum permissible damage rate'.

Keywords:

• O-RINGS
• EPDM
• SEAL LIFE
• TEMPERATURE
• AGEING METHOD
• DAMAGE RATE