Relative Resistance of PEEK and XLPE Insulated LV Cables in Nuclear Power Plants

Abstract

This work focuses on high-temperature insulation materials for cables intended for use in nuclear power plants, emphasizing their stability and durability under harsh operating conditions. The introduction provides an overview of cable structures and insulation materials used in cable technology and describes diagnostic methods for analyzing their structural and phenomenological properties. In the experimental part, PEEK (polyetheretherketone) and XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) insulated cables were selected for testing. The cables were subjected to accelerated thermal aging to simulate 60 years of operation in a nuclear power plant environment, with PEEK additionally undergoing radiation aging. The results show that XLPE exhibited significant degradation during thermal aging, while PEEK maintained stable structural and electrical properties throughout the tests.