# Gamma Irradiation Resistance of Four Elastomers for Nuclear Sealing Applications

## TL;DR

This study compares how four types of rubber resist gamma radiation, showing that their molecular structure determines their performance in nuclear applications.

## Contribution

The study establishes a clear link between rubber molecular structure and radiation degradation mechanisms under nuclear conditions.

## Key findings

- Unsaturated rubbers like NR, CR, and NBR degrade via cross-linking, while saturated IIR degrades via main-chain scission.
- NR showed the best radiation resistance due to clean cross-linking without significant oxidation.
- The radiation resistance ranking is NR > CR > NBR > IIR within the 0–100 kGy range.

## Abstract

The reliability of rubber materials in nuclear sealing applications depends on their resistance to ionizing radiation. To explicitly reveal the differences in radiation damage mechanisms among rubbers with varying molecular structures, this study investigated four typical elastomers—natural rubber (NR), butyl rubber (IIR), chloroprene rubber (CR), and nitrile rubber (NBR)—under 60Co γ-irradiation at cumulative doses of 1, 10, and 100 kGy. By coupling macroscopic physical testing (mechanical, permeability) with microstructural characterization (FT-IR, DSC, crosslink density), a correlation between material structure and irradiation behavior was established. The results indicate that main-chain saturation dictates the dominant degradation mechanism: unsaturated rubbers (NR, CR, NBR) are dominated by cross-linking, macroscopically manifested as increased hardness and reduced ductility; conversely, saturated rubber (IIR) is dominated by main-chain scission, leading to a paste-like transition at 100 kGy and a complete loss of mechanical load-bearing and barrier functions. Comparatively, NR exhibited optimal overall stability due to “clean” cross-linking without significant oxidation. The overall radiation resistance ranking within the 0–100 kGy range is NR > CR > NBR > IIR. This study clarifies the “structure-mechanism-property” evolution law, providing a critical theoretical basis for lifetime prediction and rational material selection of rubber components in nuclear environments.