Addition of Lead (Pb)-Nitrate Filler on Polymer Composite Aprons for X-Ray Radiation Shielding

Abstract

Radiation shield ing aprons are needed by radiation workers to minimize radiation exposure to the body. The apron s at present use fabric-coated lead plates which are heavy and rigid materials and therefore are not comfortable to use. Polymer aprons from cassava starch and glycerin with addition of Pb- nitrate filler at 0 %, 2 %, 4 %, and 6 % have been synthesized. Mixtures for synthesizing the polymer apron composites were heated using a magnetic stirrer at a speed of 800 rpm at 160 °C for 25 minutes. Then, the polymer apron composites were dried in an oven for 24 hours at 70 °C. The effectiveness of the apron was determined by calculating the attenuation coefficient ( μ ), half-value layer (HVL), and radiation absorption. The mechanical properties of the aprons were characterized by testing their tensile strengths using an A&D MCT-2150 universal tester. The result shows that the optimal addition of Pb- nitrate filler of as much as 6 % produced aprons with an attenuation coefficient of 1248 cm ‑1 , HVL of 0.54 cm, and radiation absorption of 25 % , while the aprons’ tensile strength was obtained as 28.244 MPa. T he addition of Pb-nitrate as a filler in apron composites proportionally improves the quality of materials used as radiation shields. More detailed research is still needed to obtain the best apron. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Times New Roman; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}