Efficient, flexible and lead-free composite based on room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber/W/Bi2O3 for gamma ray shielding application

The aim of this study is to prepare a non-toxic, light, flexible and low-cost radiation shielding material that protects against gamma ray (gamma-ray). So, flexible and lead-free gamma-ray-shielding composites based on room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber matrix with 37.5% weight of tungsten (W) and bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) as filler materials were prepared by using a simple and well-established open mould cast technique. The shielding properties of the composites [linear attenuation coefficient (A mu), transmittance, half value layer (HVL) and tenth value layer (TVL)] have been evaluated using Eu-152 radioactive source in the energy range (122-964 keV). The prepared composites show high performance in gamma-ray-shielding in comparison with commercial composite (76% Pb). The sample that was treated with 18.75 wt% W + 18.75 wt% Bi2O3 shows the lowest values of HVL and TVL in high energy levels and is the best-attenuating shielding for gamma-ray compared to the other investigated samples. Morphological observations showed that increasing of Bi2O3 in samples can prevent from the accumulation of fillers. For this reason, the tensile strength and elongation at break improved with increasing of Bi2O3 in composites.