Publication Type : Journal Article
Publisher : International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology
Source : International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, Volume 10, Issue 3, p.257-275 (2016)
Url : https://www.inderscienceonline.com/doi/abs/10.1504/IJNEST.2016.078961
Keywords : carbon nanofibres, gamma radiation, high-performance polymers, long-term storage, Nanocomposites, Nanotechnology, NDT, nondestructive testing, nuclear waste storage, PEK composites, polyetherketone, radiation shielding, spent nuclear fuel, Tensile strength, thermo-chemical exposure, Thermogravimetric analysis
Campus : Coimbatore
School : Department of Aerospace Engineering, School of Engineering
Center : Automotive Center
Department : Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace
Year : 2016
Abstract : This investigation highlights the effect of radiation, chemical and thermal environments on mechanical and thermal properties of polyetherketone (PEK) composites and its rationale for long-term nuclear waste storage. The tests are conducted on samples manufactured using PEK and PEK reinforced with modified carbon nano fibre (CNF). The specimens are subjected to gamma radiation doses of 5 MGy, which is equivalent to the cumulative dosage of radiation from spent nuclear fuel until the radioactivity neutralises completely. Studies under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveal that there is a uniform dispersion of modified CNF in PEK. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicate that there are no significant changes in thermal properties of PEK and PEK composite when exposed to aggressive environments. It is observed that tensile strength of polymeric samples remains unchanged when exposed to gamma radiation and thermo-chemical environment.
Cite this Research Publication : Shantanu Bhowmik, .G, A., Dr. Sivakumar V., Lalit Varshney, Kumar, V., and Mathew Abraham, “Feasibility of Polyetherketone (PEK) Composites: A Solution for Long Term Nuclear Waste Storage”, International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 257-275, 2016.