Manufacturing process and properties of lead-free natural rubber sponge for use in X-ray and gamma ray shielding applications

International Conference on Materials Research and Innovation

Lim-Aroon, P.^1 ; Wimolmala, E.^1 ; Sombatsompop, N.^1 ; Saenboonruang, K.^2^3

Polymer Processing and Flow (P-PROF) Research Group, Division of Materials Technology, School of Energy, Environment and Materials, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Bangkok

10140, Thailand^1

Department of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok

10900, Thailand^2

Specialized Center of Rubber and Polymer Materials in Agriculture and Industry (RPM), Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok

10900, Thailand^3

关键词: Bismuth oxides;    Gamma-ray shielding;    Lead-Free;    Manufacturing process;    Overall properties;    Shielding properties;    Strength and elongations;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/526/1/012015/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1757-899X/526/1/012015

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

In this work, light-weighted, flexible, and lead-free X-ray/gamma-ray shielding natural rubber (NR) sponges were developed with the help of a blowing agent, namely Oxybis (benzene sulfonyl) hydrazide (OBSH) (its contents varied from 0, 8 to 16 parts per hundred parts of rubber; phr), and an X-ray/gamma protective filler, namely bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) (its content varied from 0, 100, 300, to 500 phr) in natural rubber (NR) composites. The results suggested that the densities and overall mechanical properties decreased with increasing contents of OBSH, while the increases in B2O3 resulted in the increases in tensile strength and hardness (Shore A), however, initially increases tensile strength and elongation at break but later decreases at 300 and 500 phr. In terms of radiation shielding properties, it was found that the ability to attenuate X-rays and gamma rays improved with increasing Bi2O3 contents. Hence, the overall properties investigated in this work suggested that the developed NR sponges could be used to attenuate X-rays and gamma rays efficiently with additional properties of being light-weighted and highly flexible, which are crucial for safety of radiation-related personnel and users.