Effect of LOCA simulation procedures on ethylene propylene rubber's mechanical and electrical properties

Electrical and mechanical properties of several commercial ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) materials, typically used as electrical cable insulation, have been monitored during three simulations of nuclear power plant aging and accident stresses. For one set of cables and separate tensile specimens we did a sequential test. We first performed accelerated thermal aging, then irradiated the samples to the combined aging and LOCA total dose. Finally we applied a steam exposure. For a second and third set of cables and separate tensile specimens we used simultaneous applications of elevated temperature and radiation stresses to preaccident age our specimens. We followed these aging exposures by simultaneous radiation and steam exposures to simulate a LOCA environment. Our measurement parameters during these tests included: dc insulation resistance, ac leakage current, ultimate tensile strength, ultimate tensile elongation, percentage dimensional changes, and percentage moisture absorption. We present test results for nine EPR materials. The implications of our research results for future cable qualification testing efforts is discussed