Effect of gamma irradiation on morphology and local elemental composition of basalt-based composite material

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the polished surface of samples made of basalt-based composite material before and after gamma irradiation. Morphology and local elemental composition changes in binder, filler and boundary of composite components depending on radiation dose were revealed. The samples were irradiated within a dose range of 5 to 15 Mrad. It has been shown that at radiation doses up to 10 Mrad, new intermolecular bonds are formed and the material is strengthened. With large doses of radiation, the destruction of bonds and the formation of a gas phase is observed. This results in softening of the composite. A sufficiently large amount of nitrogen has been detected in the highly irradiated binder. A possible mechanism has been proposed to explain this phenomenon.