Enhancement of Mechanical Properties of PMMA Reinforced with a Composite of Bi2O3:Fe2O3 for Radiation Application

This investigation aimed to improve the mechanical and radiation shielding capabilities of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) by incorporating a (Bi2O3:Fe2O3) nanoparticulate composite.Doping levels were systematically varied at weight percentages of 0.5%, 1%, 3%, and 5%.Comprehensive analyses, including tensile strength, strain, hardness, structural, and morphological evaluations, were conducted.The structural transformation of PMMA was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, revealing a cubic phase post-doping.Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images elucidated a range of crystalline sizes upon nanoparticle integration.Mechanical property assessments indicated a significant enhancement in tensile strength, which escalated from 5.45 MPa in the undoped matrix to 14.85 MPa at the highest doping concentration.However, the distribution of stress within the PMMA:(Bi2O3:Fe2O3) composites was observed to be non-uniform.Furthermore, the impact strength demonstrated a marked increase in the specimens containing 0.5% and 1% wt. of (Bi2O3:Fe2O3), suggesting an optimal doping threshold for impact resistance.Shore D hardness measurements also reflected this trend of improvement, with values rising from 71.6 in the pure PMMA to 89 in the composites as the doping ratio increased.Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of (Bi2O3:Fe2O3) nanoparticles to fortify PMMA matrices, offering promising avenues for the development of advanced materials with tailored properties for protective applications against ionizing radiation.