TY - CONF A1 - Wolff, Dietmar A1 - von der Ehe, Kerstin A1 - Jaunich, Matthias A1 - Böhning, Martin T1 - Performance of neutron radiation shielding material (U)HMW-PE influenced by gamma radiation N2 - Due to their extreme high hydrogen contents high molecular weight (HMW-) and ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW-) polyethylene (PE) are a comprehensible choice as neutron radiation shielding material in thick walled metallic casks for storage and transport of radioactive materials. For this application it has to be taken into consideration that gamma radiation – that is a direct consequence of inserting radioactive material in such casks – has a high influence on the molecular structure of polyethylene. In order to be applicable for long-term neutron radiation shielding purposes during the whole storage period (in Germany for instance up to 40 years) PE has to withstand any type of degradation affecting safety relevant aspects. The scope of our work comprises an estimation of the influence of gamma radiation and temperature on the molecular and supra molecular structure of (U)HMW-PE used as cask components for neutron radiation shielding. Therefore it was investigated to what extent these changes are detectable by a combination of conventional polymer characterization techniques such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermo Mechanical Analysis (TMA), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). Additionally optical (FTIR) and weighing methods were applied. For UHMWPE the results are compared with those published for similar UHMW-PE material that is used in medical technology. For this application, gamma irradiation is applied deliberately for purposes such as sterilization and crosslinking, the latter leading to partial improvement of mechanical properties and better chemical stability. As a result the so far observed structural changes of the irradiated material are not safety relevant for the application of polyethylene as neutron shielding material; moreover, some properties actually improve via irradiation. T2 - PSAM 11 ESREL 2012 - 11th International probabilistic safety assessment and management conference & The annual european safety and reliability conference CY - Helsinki, Finland DA - 25.06.2012 KW - (U)HMW-PE KW - Gamma irradiation KW - Shielding material KW - Cask for storage and transport of radioactive materials PY - 2012 SP - 1 EP - 8 AN - OPUS4-26176 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -