Development of Advanced, X-ray Radiation Shielding Panels by Utilizing Red Mud-Based Polymeric Organo-Shielding Gel-Type Material

Abstract

We report a facile method for the development of advanced, X-ray radiation shielding panels by utilizing an industrial waste, namely red mud. The inherent capability of red mud has been explored by its ceramic processing with appropriate additive and reducing agent which enables the formation of black colored tailored shielding precursor powder having multi-elemental compositions and multilayered crystal structures. Powder was further blended with polymeric ester to form thick, viscous radiation shielding organo-gel-based material. The developed shielding gel material was then cured for making advanced radiation shielding panels (SPG) using glass fiber reinforcement by closed mold fabrication system, with hand layup manual technique. The glass fiber content in the developed panels varies between 10.7 and 13.5 wt%. The SPG were evaluated for their diagnostic X-ray attenuation characteristics. The attenuation for different energies of X-ray photons for SP has been computed and found to give very effective shielding properties. Their various mechanical properties like tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, abrasion resistance and scanning electron microscopy were evaluated. The glass fiber reinforced shielding panels showed effective results for both shielding and mechanical properties. The developed shielding panels have broad application spectrum ranging from diagnostic X-ray and CT scanner room to nuclear power plant and other strategic radiation shielding installation.