Degradation of epoxy resin shielding material under thermal, radiation, and combined ageing

Abstract The degradation of epoxy resin as a shielding material for nuclear power plants was studied by accelerated thermal ageing, radiation ageing, and combined thermal radiation ageing. The analysis was conducted on the changes in mechanical properties and gaseous product content when the thermal ageing temperature was lower than and higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg). The results showed that the thermal ageing temperature above Tg caused a greater degree of degradation. Furthermore, the damage caused by simultaneous thermal radiation ageing was much greater than sequential thermal radiation ageing, especially when the thermal ageing temperature exceeded Tg. Finally, the degradation mechanism of epoxy resin was predicted based on the mechanical properties and gaseous products. In general, this work was of significant importance for assessing the epoxy resins used in a nuclear power plant.