Polymers are widely used in nuclear power plants for their flexibility and insulation properties, but they are sensitive to environmental conditions.
Qualification tests ensure initial quality but fail to predict long-term performance or support ageing management strategies. Polymers are complex materials made of multiple components, each reacting differently to ageing. Their diversity and varied service conditions make standard tests insufficient.
As a result, utilities face challenges in justifying the long-term operation of polymer-based equipment.
What is POLYAGE?
The project POLYAGE aims to provide a tool for managing polymer ageing in nuclear power plants through:
- Identification and modelling of chemical ageing mechanisms based on polymer formulation and various ageing factors
- Development, validation, and dissemination of a numerical simulation tool for polymer ageing
- Definition of protocols and relevant criteria using micro-samples and non-destructive examinations to monitor ageing
- Creation of a database of experimental results on studied polymers
The value of this project lies in the avoided costs:
- For cables, it provides ageing management tools to justify cable condition to regulators and estimate residual lifetime, helping avoid costly and technically complex replacements.
- For other equipment, it helps reduce the burden of replacements and lowers maintenance costs.