PMUC approval: securing the entry of your materials into the nuclear industry

Introducing materials into a nuclear environment requires documenting their compatibility with the requirements applicable to the project. An PMUC approval process makes it possible to characterize the products concerned, identify their constituents and compile analytical results that can be used in your technical file.

Filab laboratory supports manufacturers, equipment suppliers and operators in defining a test plan consistent with the nature of the material: resin, coating, polymer, adhesive, lubricant, elastomer or composite material. You can also discover our PMUC testing services for monitoring your products.

PMUC approval requests may concern many families of materials intended for nuclear facilities: polymers, resins, paints, sealants, adhesives, gaskets, cables, sheaths, coatings and lubricants. The testing strategy depends on the matrix, its physical state and the information required for the approval file.

For thermosetting or formulated matrices, Filab laboratory notably offers a dedicated service for PMUC approval and testing of resins.

A PMUC study may require combining several techniques to obtain complementary information about the material. The available methods notably include spectrometry, thermal analysis, microscopy and microanalysis techniques, depending on the nature of the sample and the parameters to be documented.

When relevant, Filab laboratory draws on the capabilities of its SEM analysis laboratory for the observation and localized characterization of materials.

To establish a relevant analysis program, send Filab laboratory the product designation, its function, its known or presumed composition, its technical data sheet, its safety data sheet when available, as well as the requirements associated with your project. Also indicate the number of batches to be compared and the expected results.

Every request begins with an analysis of your needs: product identification, intended use, delivery form, available documentation and criteria to be verified. Filab laboratory then develops a targeted analytical program, prioritizing relevant methods to characterize the composition, the elements being investigated and any variations between batches.

The results are presented in a test report that can support your discussions with the stakeholders involved in your project. For applications in this sector, you can also discover our support in energy and nuclear analysis.

Identifying a product's constituents helps provide a better understanding of its formulation and compare batches or versions of the same material. Depending on the need, the analysis may target the characterization of the organic matrix, mineral fillers, additives or elements present in the sample.

Sample preparation, technique selection and data interpretation are adapted to the objective defined with Filab laboratory.

Thermal analysis can complement the characterization of a material by providing information about its behavior at different temperatures and its mineral or organic fraction. Filab laboratory can direct your project to tests carried out in its TGA analysis laboratory, when this approach meets the objectives of the study.

The final program is defined after reviewing the technical information provided and the amount of sample available.

The quantity, packaging, and representativeness of the samples affect the feasibility of the analysis. Filab laboratory will provide you with the appropriate shipping instructions and confirm the necessary information with you before testing begins. This preparation facilitates sample traceability and the interpretation of the results.

To get started, contact Filab laboratory, provide the available technical information, and specify your project deadlines. Our teams will review your request in order to propose an analytical scope suited to your materials and your PMUC approval.