Abstract:
This study focuses on the development and testing of epoxy-based radiation-resistant coatings designed for use in nuclear power plants, particularly in the nuclear island areas where high background gamma radiation fields are prevalent. The primary objective is to create coatings that can protect facilities and equipment from radiation damage and facilitate the removal of radioactive dust contamination, thereby enhancing the safety and longevity of nuclear facilities. The coatings were formulated using a combination of epoxy-modified silicone resins and phenolic epoxy resins, which are known for their inherent stability in gamma radiation environments. Functional fillers such as potassium hexatitanate whiskers were added to enhance mechanical strength and thermal stability. The curing agents used ensured a high cross-link density, which not only improved the mechanical properties but also reduced surface roughness, making the coatings more resistant to radioactive contamination and easier to decontaminate. The developed coatings were subjected to a series of rigorous tests to evaluate their performance under various conditions. In gamma irradiation tests, the coatings were exposed to a dose rate of 10 Gy/s, accumulating a total dose of 1×10
7 Gy. The results show that the coatings maintain their structural integrity without cracking, bubbling, or peeling, demonstrating their ability to withstand prolonged exposure to high levels of gamma radiation. This is a critical requirement for materials used in nuclear facilities, where long-term stability and durability are essential. Decontamination tests were conducted using solutions containing
137Cs and
90Sr to assess the coatings’ ability to reduce radioactive contamination. The results reveal high decontamination rates exceeding 94%, indicating that the coatings can significantly reduce the risk of radioactive contamination. This is particularly important for maintenance and decommissioning processes, where the ease of decontamination can significantly impact safety and efficiency. In addition to gamma irradiation and decontamination tests, the coatings were also evaluated in a loss of coolant accident (LOCA) test, which simulates the extreme conditions of a coolant loss accident. The coatings were exposed to high-temperature, high-pressure, and high-humidity environments, conditions that are likely to be encountered in the event of an accident in a nuclear power plant. The results show that the coatings maintained their integrity and adhesion, with no signs of degradation. This demonstrates their robustness under harsh conditions and their ability to protect underlying structures from potential radioactive release. In conclusion, the developed epoxy-based radiation-resistant coatings exhibit excellent mechanical properties, radiation resistance, and decontamination efficiency. They are expected to significantly enhance the safety and longevity of nuclear facilities by providing effective protection against radiation damage and facilitating the removal of radioactive contaminants. Future work will focus on further optimizing the formulations to expand the coatings’ application range. This includes incorporating boron-containing fillers to enhance resistance to neutron radiation, thereby broadening their use in nuclear applications and contributing to the overall safety and efficiency of nuclear power plants.