Synthesis of flexible polymeric shielding materials for soft gamma rays: Physicomechanical and attenuation characteristics of radiation crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane/Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> composites

Radiation shielding composites of ethylene‐propylene diene monomer (EPDM), reinforced with tungsten (W) and barium sulphate (BaSO4) in different filler weight (wt%) were synthesized. The effects of W and BaSO4 on gamma and neutron attenuation properties of the composites were studied by experimental methods using 137Cs, 60Co and 252Cf radioactive sources. EPDM composites with W and BaSO4 fillers were also investigated for filler dispersion using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray radiograph. The experimental results revealed that the incorporation of W and BaSO4 significantly improved the radiation attenuation properties of the EPDM composites. It was observed that the attenuation properties of the composite material increases with higher concentration of the filler. The half‐value layer (HVL), tenth value layer thickness and relaxation length of the composites were found to decrease with increasing concentration of the filler. The results also showed that the attenuation behaviour of 50 wt% BaSO4 filled polymer composite is comparable to that of the composite with 25 wt% W. The developed composite with 75 wt% W filler exhibited the maximum radiation attenuation with lowest HVL thicknesses.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethylene‐propylene diene monomer‐based polymer composite for attenuation of high energy radiations

Barala

Manda

Jodha

et al. 2020

“…To overcome these demerits of lead, researchers are in ease to fabricate a lead free shielding material, which is light weight and effective in absorbing high energy radiations. Research efforts is enhancing day by day, such that, a few studies have been reported on polymer composite radiation shields over the globe, whereas in India, studies are being carried out mainly on glass based radiation shields, and a very few on polymers composites . The chief advantage of using polymers as a matrix is the low cost, easy processability, good chemical resistance, low specific gravity and light weight.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of bismuth oxide as a reinforcer on gamma shielding ability of unsaturated polyester based polymer composites

Ambika

Nagaiah

Suman

2016

105

Unsaturated Polyester resin is reinforced with Bi 2 O 3 up to 60% filler weight. The effect of bismuth oxide on gamma shielding ability of the composites is studied in terms of attenuation parameters using Ba-133, Cs-137, and Co-60 gamma ray sources. The results reveal that, the shielding property of the composite material increases with increase in the filler concentration and decreases with energy. The HVL, TVL, and relaxation length of the composites are found to decrease with increase in the filler concentration. It is found that, the shielding ability of 60% filled polymer composite is comparable to that of barite at low energy. The above polymer composite performs well at all energies and can act as an excellent gamma radiation shield for low energies and also proved to be light weight when compared to the conventional shielding materials. Thus, the gamma shielding ability of the UP resin is enhanced due to the addition of Bi 2 O 3 .

“…However, most of these are usually stiff with high moduli making it difficult to process them in wearable form. Flexible shielding materials are advantageous for the personnel working in nuclear fuel processing industry, nuclear reactors, nuclear waste management, radiopharmaceutical industry, and space explorations where radiation exposure is unavoidable 12 . Furthermore, to comply with today's requirement of greener and sustainable technologies, it is imperative to switch over from synthetic plastics to naturally available biodegradable polymers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sodium alginate/bismuth (III) oxide composites for γ‐ray shielding applications

Prabhu

Bubbly

Gudennavar

2020

In the present work, we have explored the efficacy of bismuth (III) oxide (Bi2O3) loaded, calcium ion cross‐linked solution cast sodium alginate composite films for radioprotective applications. Calcium ion cross‐linking increased the water and chemical resistance, which further improved on introduction of Bi2O3 into the composites. The 40 wt% Bi2O3 loaded films showed good heat resistance with the peak degradation temperature reaching as high as 251°C. The Bi2O3 loaded composites showed enhanced tensile strength (TS) and Youngs modulus (YM). Compared to high‐modulus polymers like epoxy, high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC), these exhibit relatively greater extent of stretching before breaking. The γ‐ray attenuation experiments showed that mass attenuation coefficients of the composites at various γ‐ray energies increased with filler loading. These composites are effective in shielding γ‐rays from radioactive sources like 137Cs, 22Na, 133Ba, and 60Co that are widely employed in several medical and industrial applications. The overall enhancement in thermal, mechanical, and radiation shielding characteristics of the composites may be attributed to the uniform distribution of the fillers in alginate matrix. These nontoxic sodium alginate/Bi2O3 composites can be used as soft and biodegradable radiation shields, which may be processed to wearable forms.