Radiation Stability of Epoxy-Based Gamma Shielding Material

A comprehensive investigation on the effect of gamma radiation on epoxy-lead oxide composites has been carried out highlighting upon the chemical structure, thermal stability, mechanical stability, surface morphology and gamma attenuation properties. FTIR analysis evidenced the irradiation effect leading to the formation of ketones and amides due to chain scission of the epoxy polymer backbone. Surface damages were observed at high gamma dose in optical micrographs which was controlled by lead oxide. The decrease in thermal stability and activation energy with gamma dose was observed in TGA analysis. Nanoindentation studies demonstrated the decreases in surface hardness and modulus at a higher dose. However, the attenuation properties and XRD spectrum of the composites remain unchanged upon 1000 kGy gamma radiation dose.