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Shielding Materials
Shielding Materials
Shielding Materials
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Abstract
Electromagnetic (EM radiation) interference shielding is important for users of electronic equipment, in order to
reduce the electromagnetic noise. The use of polymeric composites with different compositions as EM
interference shielding material is a matter of contemporary research interest. On another front, ionizing radiation
like x-rays and gamma radiation have many applications in fields like medical diagnosis, cancer treatment,
radiation treatment of food (preservation) and nuclear (fission) energy. However, exposure to ionizing radiation
will cause a deterioration in health of the user, depending on the absorbed radiation dose. In order to protect
users of such facilities from ionising radiation, shielding is necessary. Most often, the material used is metallic
lead (Pb). But, the use of a toxic heavy metal like Pb could cause serious long – term effects on health and
environment. Polymer composites with high Z (atomic number) fillers can replace toxic lead in ionising
radiation shielding applications because of their unique properties; being lightweight, cost-effective, having
mechanical flexibility as well as being less toxic. In this paper, the recent developments and methods in the
preparation of polymer composites as radiation shielding materials are reviewed.
Key-words: Radiation Shielding materials; Ionising radiation; EMI Shielding; Polymer composites; Lead
shield; Gamma radiation.
1. Introduction
Nowadays, the application of nuclear physics methods to material science is rapidly growing.
Nuclear techniques like positron annihilation spectroscopy, neutron scattering, external
bremsstrahlung studies and energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (using a radio isotope as the
source of incident radiation) help researchers to understand materials more elaborately, at the
elementary, microscopic and sub-microscopic levels. A large number of researchers are
actively involved in the study of condensed matter using nuclear methods, leading to the
creation of a new branch of study, namely, Nuclear Condensed Matter (NCM) Physics.
Hence, the use of radio-isotopes and other radiation sources (For example: x-ray tubes) in
scientific research on advanced materials has increased tremendously in the last few decades.
Electromagnetic radiation which can cause ionisation, such as gamma rays and x-rays
are dangerous to human health. People can get exposed to gamma and x-radiations from
different types of sources, which find use in industries, medical diagnostic centres, nuclear
research establishments, nuclear reactors, research involving radio-isotopes and nuclear
weapon development facilities. In order to protect personnel and sensitive electronic
equipment from such ionising radiation, shielding is necessary. Radiation shielding is the
practice of protecting people and the environment from harmful effect of ionising radiation.
Exposure to radiation is one of the major concerns when setting up nuclear power plants, the
use of strong (high activity) radioisotopes in ‘spin-off’ applications like food preservation and
cancer treatment, particle accelerator facilities as well as medical X-ray diagnostic systems,
in order to prevent radiation from causing significant health problems among the users of
these radiation based facilities [1]. So, many types of shielding materials are installed at work
places using radioactive and x-ray sources, in order to make the work place a safe zone for
humans. Metallic lead (Pb) has been used most often as the radiation shielding material due
to its high atomic number (Z), high density, low cost, easy processability and mainly because,
it provides effective shielding against penetrative gamma radiation. However, Pb is known
for its toxicity, environmental pollution and extremely low level of neutron absorption. It has
now become a priority to try and find materials that can effectively replace Pb as a radiation
shielding material [2]. Polymer composites doped with high Z constituents (other than Pb)
can be used as shielding materials. Such alternative radiation shielding materials have lower
effective density, but they provide sufficient, sometimes an improved protection against
exposure to dangerous radiation. They even find applications in dosimetry and are also
effective in the absorption of neutrons (say, from a nuclear reactor).
One of the most exciting areas in material sciences is the field of polymeric materials.
In the last two decades, polymeric materials have become a part of the everyday life of a
human being in the civilized world. This is due to the large number of their applications, in
industrial, biological, consumer and medical fields. Polymeric materials have gained the
attention of many scientists due to their unique properties such as reasonable cost, light
weight, flexibility, good mechanical strength and interesting optical as well as electrical
properties. Electrically conducting polymers have been the centre of scientific interest and
active multidisciplinary research and industrial research groups not just because their
interesting properties, but also due their potential as materials for the fabrication of newer
devices. Conducting polymers like polypyrrole (PPy), polythiophene, polyacetylene (PAc)
and polyaniline (PANI) find application in solid corrosion resistant materials, electrical
appliances, electrolytes for batteries and electromagnetic shielding materials [3]. Among all
these applications, conducting polymers play a prominent role in applications such as
electromagnetic shielding and dosimetry.
observed that the increase of colemanite ratio (in volume) has changed for the better, the
engineering properties of concrete and also its shielding effectiveness.
these composites and their thermal stability needs to be monitored, at different doses (of
radiation absorbed by the material).
Bhanu Pratap Singh is working at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New
Delhi, in the field of polymeric nanocomposites, electromagnetic interference shielding, and
energy storage Lithium ion battery. His study includes Polyaniline-MWCNT
nanocomposites, polyaniline/CNT/polystyrene blends, CNT reinforced polymethyl
methacrylate (PMMA) and polystyrene composites, for microwave absorption [24]. B. P.
Singh is actively doing research on producing more effective microwave shielding materials.
5. Conclusions.
The preparation and characterisation of polymer composites reinforced with different high Z
constituents is a matter of contemporary research interest. A variety of non-Pb materials are
capable of providing increased radiation protection, when compared tor Pb-containing
radiation shielding materials. The choice of radiation shielding material is dependent on the
type of radiation for which it is designed. It is necessary to develop new polymeric materials
with radiation shielding abilities, and for attenuating electromagnetic radiation. The use of
composite polymeric materials for both EM and ionising radiation shielding applications
needs to be explored. A comprehensive experimental investigation and testing of such
composite materials is vital, before commercial use of the same for radiation shielding
applications.
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