Effect of nuclear irradiation on the optical, mechanical and shielding properties of Polyvinyl Chloride / Styrene Butadiene Rubber composites

Abstract

Nowadays there is an increase in the usage of gamma-ray emitting isotopes in industry, medicine, and agriculture. So, it is now necessary to study the shielding properties of various materials for technological and biological importance. There is always a need to develop materials, which can be used under harsh conditions of nuclear radiation exposure and can act as shielding materials. Polymer composites could be used in the medical field as clothing to protect patients and the operating personal from exposure to nuclear radiation during diagnostic treatment or imaging in hospitals and to protect personnel working in the vicinity of radiation sources. Polymer composites are going to replace the ordinary shielding materials (concrete shields and developed glass) because of their great properties such as elasticity, lightweight, and durability. These properties can be modified significantly by changing the composition and adopting variations in preparation techniques. During recent years, there are increasing interests in the synthesis, structure, and physical properties of polymer composites filled with heavy metal oxide due to their high density, and good shielding from gamma rays. In this study, the polymer blend polyvinyl chloride/styrene-butadiene rubber filled with (BiO)2CO3 with different concentrations (20, 30, 40, and 60 phr) were prepared as a flexible radiation shielding material. The gamma-rays attenuation properties were carried out using a sodium iodide (NaI) detector using 232Th radioactive source. The attenuation coefficients, half-value layer, and mean free path were evaluated. The distribution of the filler within the polymer matrix was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The prepared polymer composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction technique to recognize the structural phase of the composites.