PD IEC TR 61244-4:2019 - Determination of Long-term Radiation Ageing in Polymers

Standard Number: PD IEC TR 61244-4:2019

Pages: 36

Released: 2019-10-11

ISBN: 978 0 539 00427 4

Status: Standard

Overview

In the ever-evolving field of materials science, understanding the long-term effects of radiation on polymers is crucial for a wide range of applications. The PD IEC TR 61244-4:2019 standard provides a comprehensive guide to determining the long-term radiation ageing in polymers, focusing on the effects of different temperatures and dose rates under radiation conditions. This standard is an essential resource for researchers, engineers, and professionals working with polymer materials in environments where radiation exposure is a factor.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Analysis: This standard offers an in-depth analysis of how polymers age when exposed to radiation over extended periods. It considers various factors such as temperature and dose rates, providing a holistic view of the ageing process.
• Scientific Rigor: Developed by experts in the field, the standard is based on the latest scientific research and methodologies, ensuring that users have access to the most accurate and reliable information available.
• Practical Applications: The insights gained from this standard can be applied to a variety of industries, including aerospace, nuclear energy, and medical devices, where the integrity of polymer materials is critical.
• Guidance for Testing: It provides detailed guidance on setting up experiments and interpreting results, making it an invaluable tool for laboratories and research institutions.

Why This Standard is Important

Polymers are widely used in many industries due to their versatility and durability. However, when exposed to radiation, these materials can undergo significant changes that may affect their performance and safety. Understanding these changes is vital for ensuring the longevity and reliability of polymer-based products.

The PD IEC TR 61244-4:2019 standard addresses this need by offering a structured approach to studying the effects of radiation on polymers. By considering different temperatures and dose rates, it provides a nuanced understanding of how these variables influence the ageing process. This knowledge is crucial for designing materials that can withstand harsh environments and for developing new polymers with enhanced radiation resistance.

Applications

This standard is particularly relevant for industries where polymers are exposed to radiation, such as:

• Aerospace: In the aerospace industry, materials are often exposed to high levels of radiation. Understanding how polymers age under these conditions is essential for ensuring the safety and performance of aircraft and spacecraft components.
• Nuclear Energy: In nuclear power plants, polymers are used in various applications, from insulation to sealing. The standard helps in assessing the long-term viability of these materials in radiation-rich environments.
• Medical Devices: Many medical devices rely on polymers for their construction. Ensuring these materials remain safe and effective over time is critical, especially for devices used in radiation therapy.

Conclusion

The PD IEC TR 61244-4:2019 standard is an indispensable resource for anyone involved in the study or application of polymers in radiation environments. Its detailed analysis and practical guidance make it a valuable tool for ensuring the safety, reliability, and performance of polymer materials across various industries. By understanding the long-term effects of radiation on polymers, professionals can make informed decisions that enhance the durability and effectiveness of their products.

PD IEC TR 61244-4:2019

This standard PD IEC TR 61244-4:2019 Determination of long-term radiation ageing in polymers is classified in these ICS categories:

• 17.240 Radiation measurements
• 29.035.01 Insulating materials in general

This part of IEC 61244 provides general guidance for the evaluation/verification of electrical insulation materials (EIM) and electrical insulation systems (EIS) intended to be used in types of equipment exposed to ionizing radiation. Beside sensors, actuators/motors as well as plugs and terminals, cables are a well-known typical application of those EIM and EIS. Their type spectrum covers low voltage power cables, control cables and instrumentation cables. Because of their comparable simple design, cables are the ideal type of equipment to study EIM and EIS degradation processes. But the results of these studies can be easily transferred to the enumerated types of equipment.

Nonetheless, this document provides a state-of-the art report on qualification/verification procedures used to simulate simultaneous effects of temperature and radiation at varying intensities rather than give detailed test programmes valid for specific test methods.

NOTE 1 Use of this document with specific products can require specification of additional product related procedures.

NOTE 2 Some of the procedures described in this document are emerging technologies. Therefore, specified prerequisites, former experiences as well as boundary conditions can be additionally taken into account.