It is well known that the properties of polyethylene can be improved by irradiation-induced crosslinking the formation of three-dimensional network structures. This paper investigated the effects of gamma irradiation on the mechanical, thermal stability, and γ-rays shielding properties of TAIC-containing γ-rays shielding composites (HDPE/WC-PEW/TAIC). As a result, SEM images showed that agglomerations are alleviated after polyethylene wax (PEW) coated tungsten carbide (WC). The tensile strength and hardness increased from 25.39 MPa to 94 HA to 29.49 MPa and 98 HA after 50 kGy irradiation in vacuum as compared with all composites, while the thermal stability was also improved. The XPS and gel content results showed that the more crosslinked structures generated after 50 kGy irradiated in vacuum between high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and PEW, but irradiation in air is accompanied by the destruction of polymer skeleton. Moreover, the shielding rates of HDPE/WC-PEW/TAIC with thickness of 2 mm and containing 50 wt% WC can exceed 50% and 25% for 137Cs and 60Co sources respectively. In summary, HDPE/WC-PEW/TAIC could be an alternative to lead as γ-rays shielding material with excellent mechanical, thermal, and γ-rays shielding properties after 50 kGy irradiation in vacuum.

中文翻译：

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聚乙烯蜡涂层碳化钨/高密度聚乙烯γ射线屏蔽复合材料的辐照诱导交联性能改善


众所周知，通过辐照诱导交联形成三维网络结构，可以改善聚乙烯的性能。本文研究了伽马辐照对含 TAIC 的γ射线屏蔽复合材料 （HDPE/WC-PEW/TAIC） 的机械、热稳定性和γ射线屏蔽性能的影响。结果，SEM 图像显示，在聚乙烯蜡 （PEW） 涂层碳化钨 （WC） 后，团聚得到缓解。与所有复合材料相比，在真空中照射 50 kGy 后，拉伸强度和硬度从 25.39 MPa 增加到 94 HA，再到 29.49 MPa 和 98 HA，同时热稳定性也有所提高。XPS 和凝胶含量结果表明，高密度聚乙烯 （HDPE） 和 PEW 之间在真空中照射 50 kGy 后产生的交联结构更多，但在空气中照射伴随着聚合物骨架的破坏。此外，厚度为 2 mm、WC 含量为 50 wt% 的 HDPE/WC-PEW/TAIC 对 137Cs 和 60Co 源的屏蔽率分别可超过 50% 和 25%。综上所述，HDPE/WC-PEW/TAIC 可以作为铅的替代品作为γ射线屏蔽材料，在真空中照射 50 kGy 后具有优异的机械、热和γ射线屏蔽性能。