Elastomers and Composites

The Rubber Society of Korea (한국고무학회)
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Rubber Material Development and Performance Evaluation of Diaphragm Seal for Steam Generator Nozzle Dam

  • Woo, Chang-Su (Department of Nano Applied Mechanic, Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials) ;
  • Song, Chi-Sung (Research Planning and Coordination Division, Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials) ;
  • Lee, Han-Chil (Technical Research Center) ;
  • Kwon, Jin-Wook (Construction Materials Engineering Center, DRD Holding Co., Ltd.)
  • Received : 2020.07.20
  • Accepted : 2020.08.24
  • Published : 2020.09.30
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Abstract

Rubber materials, used in nuclear power plants, need high heat-oxidation resistance to curing or cracking under a heat aging environment. This is because they are applied to environments with high temperature, high humidity, and radiation exposure. Nuclear radiation causes additional hardening or degradation, therefore, rubber materials need radiation resistance that satisfies the general and any accidental conditions produced in the power plant. Therefore, in this study, we developed a rubber material with excellent heat and radiation resistance for the diaphragm seal of a nuclear steam generator nozzle dam. The rubber material greatly improved the reliability of the steam generator nozzle dam. In addition, 30 inch and 42 inch diaphragm seals were manufactured using the developed rubber material. A nozzle dam was installed in a nuclear power plant and tested under the same conditions as a steam generator to evaluate safety and reliability. In the future, the performance and safety of diaphragm seals developed through field tests of nuclear power plants will be evaluated and applied to currently operating and new nuclear power plants.

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References

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