Physical and mechanical properties of polyamide 6/polystyrene (PA6/PS) reinforced by PbO ₂ composites for X-ray shielding

Thermal, electrical, as well as mechanical behavior of blends of polyamide 6/polystyrene (PA6/PS) (50/50 wt/wt%) loaded with different concentrations of lead dioxide (PbO 2 ) were investigated for X-ray shielding. Thermal stability and hardness (shore D) of these composites are studied. Addition of PbO 2 decreases the thermal stability of the prepared composites. Stability of thermal properties confirmed by determining the activation energy for the thermal decomposition of unfilled PA6/PS and filled composites according to the Horowitz and Metzger method. Dielectric properties of bulk PbO 2 have been investigated as a function of frequency and temperature in the frequency range from 40 Hz to 5 × 10 6 Hz and in the temperature range from 293 K to 423 K. The characterization of the prepared composites is done using scanning electron microscope. With PbO 2 -loaded PA6/PS blends composites, the dielectric properties were significantly influenced by γ-irradiation effects that ε ′ and ε ″ values increase with radiation dose up to 100 kGy for samples loaded with PbO 2 . Linear attenuation coefficient μ and half-value layer (HVL) of all composites strongly depend on the concentration of the filler used and the applied voltage of X-ray machine. HVL of the obtained composites that loaded with 100 wt/wt% of PbO 2 nearly 3 mm can be used as X-ray tube housing, equipment housings and castings, electronic devices protection, and so on.