Photons transport through ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene based composite containing tungsten and boron carbide fillers

Polymers are a base for creating of composite materials with high mechanical and chemical properties. Using the heavy metals as filler in these composites can give them X-ray protective properties. These materials have high deactivation rates and can be used to create Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in aggressive environments. It was proposed a model for calculation of X-ray protection properties of the polymer-based nanocomposite materials with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) matrix, filled with tungsten and boron carbide particles. X-ray protective properties were calculated in a wide range of filler content using the developed model. Results of calculations allow selecting most effective compounds of X-ray protective UHMWPE based composites.

• The developed method for predicting X-ray properties of the polymer. • Higher content of the fillers results in an increase of mechanical properties. • X-ray defensive properties of the samples were investigated experimentally.