Degradation mechanisms in polymers due to gamma irradiation
also impact the reliability of instrumentation and power cable
systems necessary to maintain safe operation and extend the lifetimes
of Light Water Reactors (LWRs) for nuclear power. In support
of the Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program [7] for the United
States Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC), a recent Extended Materials and Degradation
Assessment [8] addressed the research needs for the effects of
gamma radiation with other stressors on polymers like HDPE that
may be used in power cable insulation.