Abstract

Use of X-rays and γ-rays have become inevitable in medical sectors like radiology, interventional cardiology and diagnostic imaging, radiation physics laboratories, nuclear reactors and accelerator facilities. As radiation exposures above permitted levels pose potential risk to personnel working in close proximity to these facilities, protective measures aimed at reducing the exposure for safeguarding against harmful effects of ionizing radiations are essential. Traditionally, lead and lead based materials have been used as efficient radiation shielding materials owing to the high atomic number and high density of lead. Presently, use of lead is discouraged due to its heavy weight, toxicity and long-term effects on the environment. Consequently, the last two decades have seen research on light weight and cost-effective polymer composites with appropriate additives, having good workability, high specific strength, thermo-chemical stability and radiation shielding efficacy, gaining momentum. This article gives an overview of the state-of-the-art polymer composites reinforced with different fillers studied for their use as effective radiation shields. Here, we summarize the recent advancement and current trends in polymer composites-based radiation shields highlighting the different approaches adopted, choice of polymer/fillers, shielding effectiveness in terms of either linear and/or mass attenuation coefficients, for those who venture into radiation research and development.

摘要

在放射学、介入心脏病学和诊断成像、辐射物理实验室、核反应堆和加速器设施等医疗领域，X 射线和 γ 射线的使用已成为必然。由于超过允许水平的辐射暴露对在这些设施附近工作的人员构成潜在风险，因此必须采取旨在减少暴露的保护措施，以防止电离辐射的有害影响。传统上，由于铅的高原子序数和高密度，铅和铅基材料已被用作有效的辐射屏蔽材料。目前，由于铅重量大、有毒且对环境有长期影响，因此不鼓励使用铅。最后，在过去的二十年里，人们对具有良好的可加工性、高比强度、热化学稳定性和辐射屏蔽功效的轻质、低成本聚合物复合材料的研究取得了进展。本文概述了最先进的聚合物复合材料，这些复合材料用不同的填料进行了增强，并研究了它们作为有效辐射屏蔽的用途。在这里，我们总结了基于聚合物复合材料的辐射屏蔽的最新进展和当前趋势，重点介绍了所采用的不同方法、聚合物/填料的选择、线性和/或质量衰减系数方面的屏蔽效果，供那些冒险从事辐射研究的人使用和发展。热化学稳定性和辐射屏蔽效能，蓄势待发。本文概述了最先进的聚合物复合材料，这些复合材料用不同的填料进行了增强，并研究了它们作为有效辐射屏蔽的用途。在这里，我们总结了基于聚合物复合材料的辐射屏蔽的最新进展和当前趋势，重点介绍了所采用的不同方法、聚合物/填料的选择、线性和/或质量衰减系数方面的屏蔽效果，供那些冒险从事辐射研究的人使用和发展。热化学稳定性和辐射屏蔽效能，蓄势待发。本文概述了最先进的聚合物复合材料，这些复合材料用不同的填料进行了增强，并研究了它们作为有效辐射屏蔽的用途。在这里，我们总结了基于聚合物复合材料的辐射屏蔽的最新进展和当前趋势，重点介绍了所采用的不同方法、聚合物/填料的选择、线性和/或质量衰减系数方面的屏蔽效果，供那些冒险从事辐射研究的人使用和发展。