Investigation of Radiation-Protective Properties of Polymer Composites with Bismuth Oxide to Gamma Radiation

The paper presents the results of studies of the effect of gamma radiation on polymer composites based on epoxy resin and bismuth oxide. The microstructure of the surface, physical and mechanical characteristics were studied and experimental studies of the effects of gamma quanta on synthesized composites were carried out. It was found that the filler is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the composite during synthesis. With an increase in the content of bismuth oxide in the material from 0 to 60 wt. % in increments of 20 wt. % flexural strength increases by 3.4–36.9%; at the same time, the tensile strength decreases slightly (for 20, 40 and 60 wt. % additives by 15.0, 13.3 and 9.1%) compared to the additive-free sample. As a result of the study of the obtained composites for resistance to gamma radiation, it should be concluded that the composite containing 60 wt. % of bismuth oxide has the best radiation protection characteristics. The values of the linear and mass attenuation coefficients, as well as the half attenuation layer at a gamma-ray energy of 0.662 MeV for this material were 0.096 cm, 0.075 cm/g, and 7.220 cm, respectively.