At an acceptance meeting held at the Qinshan Nuclear Power Base in Zhejiang, a "Radiation-Resistant Phenyl-Fluorosilicone Elastomer Sealing Component," specifically designed for fourth-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactors and molten salt reactors, officially passed a three-year simulated operational assessment. Jointly developed by State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) and the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, this material successfully solved the triple coupling challenge of "high temperature, high pressure, and strong radiation" long faced in nuclear reactor cores, earning the title of the "Ultimate O-Ring" for nuclear safety. Traditional fluoroelastomers tend to undergo changes in cross-linking density under strong gamma ray and neutron irradiation, leading to hardening and brittleness, while ordinary silicone rubber lacks sufficient heat resistance. The R&D team innovatively constructed a dual-protection network of "Phenyl Shielding - Fluorosilicone Skeleton": utilizing the high electron cloud density of phenyl groups to effectively scatter high-energy particles and protect the main chain structure, while introducing fluorine-containing side chains to enhance heat and oxygen aging resistance. Test results showed that under simulated core conditions (350°C, 15 MPa, cumulative dose of 10^8 Gy), the material maintained a compression set rate of less than 15% after 1,000 thermal-pressure cycles, far superior to international standards for similar products (<25%). A representative from the National Nuclear Safety Administration stated at the acceptance site that the successful development of this material fills the gap in key sealing materials for advanced nuclear energy systems in China, completely eliminating supply chain risks associated with import dependence. It is reported that this technology will be first applied to the ongoing Phase II expansion project of the Shidao Bay plant in Shandong and is planned for promotion to subsequent "Hualong One" units and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), safeguarding nuclear energy safety under China's "Dual Carbon" goals.
Phenyl Elastomer IOTA BHTV 3036