EDF – Aging and irradiation tests on DEUTSCH and Elastimold connectors

EDF’s Technical Department selected Amentum to carry out aging and irradiation tests on DEUTSCH and Elastimold high-voltage connectors for the fourth ten-year inspection of France’s 1300MWe light water reactors.

The aim of this study, carried out at Amentum’s laboratories in Warrington, UK, is to assess these connectors under various aging conditions, so that EDF can confirm their functional performance under critical (K1) accident conditions.

Results of artificial aging tests on brand new and used, site-extracted connectors will provide EDF with the necessary data to decide on maintaining K1 qualification beyond 40 years of operation.

Amentum’s laboratories have performed comprehensive aging and material characterization studies including thermal and irradiation aging tests, functional characterization, material expertise, and oxidation induction time measurements.