Finite element (FE) simulations of how rubber materials for seals behave over time is performed. The application is seals for nuclear power plants where seals are exposed to elevated levels of ionizing radiation and temperature.

A major challenge for the simulations is to find an appropriate material model for the rubber materials and how to calibrate it to experiments. Here is a material model proposed that can include effects like creep, permanent set, and temperature dependence. Calibration of material models for relaxation tests on EPDM rubber is performed and presented with good results. Simulations of leak and tightness of seals are evaluated and some initial observations on the effects temperature and ageing on the tightness are made.