Preparation and characterization of tungsten carbide/epoxy composites for ?-ray shielding

Polymer composites have attracted considerable attention as potential light weight and cost-effective shielding materials which could be used for applications in nuclear reactors, waste transportation, protective cloth/apron personnel hospitals, instruments on-board satellites from space radiations. In this context, we developed diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)-based epoxy resin loaded with tungsten carbide (WC) ?-ray shielding. Epoxy containing different loadings (0, 10, 30 50 wt%) WC were synthesized by room temperature solution casting technique. Structural morphological studies the performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal tensile properties enhanced presence fillers. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed major degradation occurring between 430°C 580°C all epoxy/WC composites. The strength Youngs modulus loading, owing to greater intermolecular reinforcing effect, uniform stress distribution energy-absorbing capacity. ?-Ray attenuation energy region 0.356 – 1.332 MeV NaI(Tl) detector spectrometer showed wt% carbide/epoxy highest radiation at energies. overall enhancement thermal, mechanical, characteristics may attributed uniformity fillers matrix. These nontoxic suitable environments.