Radiation effects standards for electrical insulation

With an ever increasing number of applications for insulation materials to operate in environments which include ionizing radiation as one of the deteriorating forces, it is becoming more necessary to establish uniform reliable test procedures to evaluate the radiation resistance of these materials. Preliminary selections for specific purposes then can be made in accordance with the relative stability of the specific property or properties which are needed for the application. To assure reliable comparisons of radiation endurance levels reported by different investigators the primary objectives of those responsible for standardization are aimed at assuring: (1) an accurate definition of the radiation fields in which materials are exposed and the total energy absorbed by the specimen; (2) standardized conditions for conducting exposures, including pre- and post-irradiation history; and (3) the procedures adopted for testing the mechanical and electrical properties of materials which will clearly define the radiation degradation of the individual property being tested. Progress to achieve these requirements is moving rapidly due to the vigorous efforts of several national and international organizations.