Preparation and characterization of tungsten/epoxy composites for γ-rays radiation shielding

Tungsten/epoxy composites were prepared by blending epoxy resin with different weight percent of tungsten powder. The effect of filler loading on shielding and mechanical properties of composites was investigated by using two different activities of Co-60 source. And radiation degradation mechanism was studied according to the changes of free radicals concentrations, mechanical properties and thermal properties of composites. The results show that with the increment of tungsten loading, shielding property of composites increases. However, with the increase of irradiation dose, thermal stability and mechanical properties of composites decrease firstly, then increase slightly, and decline sharply at the end due to competition reaction between chain scission and cross-linking originated from γ-rays radiation.