Investigation of gamma shielding parameters of VMQ/W/TiO2 polymer composites

Abstract

Vinyl Methyl Silicone Rubber (VMQ) matrix with Tungsten (W) and Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as multi-filler materials was studied with varying Tungsten content (0, 30, 50, 70 phr (parts per hundred rubber)) and investigated for gamma radiation shielding applications. The mass attenuation coefficient of VMQ/W/TiO2 composites for 80, 356 and 662 keV were obtained using XCOM database. Various radiation shielding parameters, such as the linear attenuation coefficient, half-value layer, tenth-value layer and relaxation length were evaluated using the values of mass attenuation coefficient and density. It is found that the attenuation coefficient increases with increase in filler density, whereas the HVL, TVL and relaxation length of the composites found to decrease. The mass attenuation coefficient and HVL of VMQ/70W/30 TiO2 phr are found to be 2.88 cm2/g and 0.1 cm for 80 keV gamma rays. The results confirm that the examined shielding parameters are associated with photon energies and chemical composition. Hence, the performance of VMQ/W/TiO2 rubber based composites show superior shielding properties and the experimental results are found to be better than barite at 356 & 662 keV and slightly lower than lead and barite at 80 keV.