Preparation and Characterization of Tungsten Carbide/Epoxy Composites for J-Ray Shielding

Abstract

Polymer composites have attracted considerable attention as potential light weight and cost-effective shielding materials which could be used for applications in nuclear reactors, nuclear waste transportation, as protective cloth/apron for personnel in hospitals, and shielding instruments on-board satellites from space radiations. In this context, we have developed diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)-based epoxy resin composites loaded with tungsten carbide (WC) for J-ray shielding. Epoxy composites containing different loadings (0, 10, 30 and 50 wt%) of WC were synthesized by room temperature solution casting technique. Structural and morphological studies of the composites were performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal and tensile properties of epoxy were enhanced in the presence of WC fillers. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed the major degradation temperature occurring between 430°C and 580°C for all epoxy/WC composites. The tensile strength and Youngs modulus of the composites enhanced with loading, owing to greater intermolecular reinforcing effect, uniform stress distribution and enhanced energy-absorbing capacity. J-Ray attenuation studies performed in the energy region of 0.356 – 1.332 MeV using NaI(Tl) detector spectrometer showed the 50 wt% tungsten carbide/epoxy composites to have highest radiation attenuation at all the energies. The overall enhancement in thermal, mechanical, and radiation shielding characteristics of the composites may be attributed to the uniformity in distribution of the fillers in epoxy matrix. These nontoxic tungsten carbide/epoxy composites may be suitable as materials for shielding in radiation environments.