Synergistic effects in fluorocarbon elastomer seals produced by a combined temperature and radiation environment

Fluorocarbon elastomer seals were subjected to single stress radiation and temperature tests and combined stress tests with the seals immersed in silicone oil, to obtain a service life estimate. Their sealing capability was mechanically tested during the tests. In single environment tests the seals were resistant to temperature‐induced stresses and very hard to radiation, showing no failures up to 108 rads. The combined tests, using three matched pairs of temperature and radiation dose rate, indicated a reduction in service life from 40 years at 145°C with no radiation to 21 years at 50°C with radiation, pointing to a significant synergism between radiation and temperature.