Published: August 9, 2025
The Faculty of Technology at Tomas Bata University in Zlín has launched a four-year research project to develop a specialized rubber material capable of withstanding the extreme conditions found in nuclear power plants. The project, titled Rubber Seals for Radiative and Chemically Demanding Environments, has received support from the THETA 2 program of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, ranking third among all energy technology proposals and earning the highest evaluation for a project led by the university.
The faculty is collaborating with MICo servis, a leading European manufacturer of seals for VVER-type nuclear reactors, based in Třebíč. The total project budget is nearly CZK 15 million, with CZK 6.8 million allocated to the Faculty of Technology. The goal is to create a soft yet highly durable elastomer that can retain flexibility and sealing capacity for six to eight years in conditions where conventional rubbers fail—such as high temperatures, exposure to oil aerosols, aggressive chemicals, and ionizing radiation.
“First, we must define exactly what the material will endure—its temperature range, radiation levels, and chemical environment. Then, we will design a compound capable of withstanding it all without losing elasticity or sealing properties,” explained principal investigator Ing. Simona Mrkvičková, Ph.D. The project also addresses the problem of supply chain dependence on Russian components, aiming to produce a fully qualified domestic material to strengthen the Czech nuclear sector’s self-sufficiency and safety.
Building on previous joint research that developed sealing materials for hermetic reactor spaces, this project takes a step further. It will include designing a complete qualification procedure, testing both existing and newly developed materials, producing samples, simulating long-term operational conditions, and conducting emergency environment tests at the Nuclear Research Institute in Řež.
The expected result is an innovative rubber seal meeting international standards, intended for use in both Czech and foreign nuclear power plants. The project strengthens ties between academia and industry, combining TBU’s research capabilities with MICo servis’s expertise in design, manufacturing, and professional assembly of sealing components.
Source: Tomas Bata University in Zlín
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