Preparation and Properties of the Fast-Curing γ-Ray-Shielding Materials Based on Polyurethane

• Main Authors: Minxuan Ni, Xiaobin Tang, Hao Chai, Yun Zhang, Tuo Chen, Da Chen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2016-12-01
• Series: Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• Subjects: Cohesional Strength; Fast Curing; Γ-Ray-Shielding Property; Irradiation-Shielding Composite; Mechanical Property; Polyurethane
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S173857331630095X

In this study, fast-curing shielding materials were prepared with a two-component polyurethane matrix and a filler material of PbO through a one-step, laboratory-scale method. With an increase in the filler content, viscosity increased. However, the two components showed a small difference. Curing time decreased as the filler content increased. The minimum tack-free time of 27 s was obtained at a filler content of 70 wt%. Tensile strength and compressive strength initially increased and then decreased as the filler content increased. Even when the filler content reached 60 wt%, mechanical properties were still greater than those of the matrix. Cohesional strength decreased as the filler content increased. However, cohesional strength was still greater than 100 kPa at a filler content of 60 wt%. The γ-ray-shielding properties increased with the increase in the filler content, and composite thickness could be increased to improve the shielding performance when the energy of γ-rays was high. When the filler content was 60 wt%, the composite showed excellent comprehensive properties.