The effect of γ-irradiation on acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber NBR seal materials with different antioxidants

Seals made of acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) are one of the classified seals used in nuclear facilities. But at high irradiation doses the physical and mechanical properties of NBR are adversely affected due to the degradation induced by radiation and hence affect the sealing performance reducing their service life. In order to improve the NBR sealing performance, antioxidants can be added to the NBR compounds. N-N-substituted p-phenylene diamines (PPDs) antioxidants are selected to improve the resistance of NBR seals against gamma irradiation up to 5 MGy. The effect of addition of different PPDs on the mechanical and physical properties of the NBR seals is investigated. Three types of antioxidants which are N-isopropyl-N′-phenyl-p-phenylene diamine (IPPD), phenyl B-naphthylamine (PBN), and N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N-phenyl-p-phenylene diamine (6PPD) are chosen. The physical and mechanical properties of these NBR compounds were evaluated by measuring crosslinking density, the tensile strength, and the percentage of elongation as well as hardness and abrasion resistance. The results of the present study show that the addition of 6PPD as a candidate antioxidant to NBR seal material gives the best physical and mechanical performance compared to the other studied antioxidants.