3D Printed High Temperature Radiation Resistant Rotary Vacuum Bearings

The Department of Energy’s Nuclear Physics Office has identified a need for high- temperature and radiation resistant materials to perform as rotary bearings under high vacuum and high speed. Specifically, state-of-the-art radiation resistant materials do not currently withstand the high temperatures associated with the graphite targetry. The goals for this program are to demonstrate: improvements in sealing performance by a factor of 5-10 over traditional materials, increase the maximum operating temperature by >330 °C, over a 3-week period, and/or increase radiation tolerance to beyond 1 MGy. The objective of this program is to develop and demonstrate high temperature rotary bearings that can withstand > 330 °C while rotating at 5000 rpm under vacuum and high radiation. The approach involves the development of rad hard materials that have shown feasibility via no change in mechanical properties upon exposure to 1 GeV proton and Fe up to 27 Gy, with a new higher temperature polymer. In Phase I, radiation resistant materials shall be improved upon with wide service temperature range polymers as new rotary bearings for the target within the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. The materials will be evaluated for radiation durability and sealing upon irradiation exposure studies carried out at a National Lab and University. Thermal, mechanical, chemical and dynamic mechanical properties life prediction studies shall be conducted post irradiation in a representative environment to verify radiation lifetime, durability, and maintained sealing post radiation. Radiation resistant high temperature bearings shall benefit the Rare Isotope production program as well as dual-use medical, military, and space systems. These experiments shall benefit our nation by gaining a fundamental understanding of materials at the molecular level for new imaging and medical needs.