Performance of Metal and Polymeric O-Ring Seals in Beyond-Design-Basis Temperature Excursions – Revision 1

Published

November 2, 2015

Author(s)

Jiann C. Yang, Edward J. Hnetkovsky, Doris L. Rinehart, Marco G. Fernandez

Abstract

This report documents the beyond-design-basis thermal exposure test results of the performance of metallic and polymeric seals typically used in radioactive material transportation packages. The overall objective of the project is to provide test data and insights regarding the performance of these O-ring seals (metallic or polymeric) when exposed to beyond-design-basis temperature conditions that could result due to a severe fire. Tests were conducted using a small-scale test package (pressure vessel) made of stainless steel SS 304 filled with helium initially pressurized at either 5 bar or 2 bar at room temperature. The test package was then exposed in an electric furnace to temperatures equal to, or above the specified maximum operating temperatures of these seals (up to 900 C) for a pre-determined period (typically 8 h to 9 h). The pressure drop technique was used to determine if leakage occurred during thermal exposure. There are three test phases in this study. Revision 1 adds test results from Phases II and III.

Citation

NUREG/CR series

Pub Type

Others

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Keywords

fire, leak, O-ring seals, thermal exposure

Citation

Yang, J. , Hnetkovsky, E. , Rinehart, D. and Fernandez, M. (2015), Performance of Metal and Polymeric O-Ring Seals in Beyond-Design-Basis Temperature Excursions – Revision 1, NUREG/CR series, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=919400 (Accessed October 10, 2025)