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

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.