Effect of gamma irradiation and lead content on the physical and shielding properties of PVC/NBR polymer blends

In the present work, polyvinylchloride/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber PVC/NBR was blended on a Brabender mixer. The blends obtained were cured with peroxide curing systems and loaded with different concentrations of lead monoxide (PbO) for increasing shielding properties of the investigated blends. The physicomechanical and the shielding properties of the prepared blends were evaluated. The surface morphology and structure of the blends were studied by SEM, XRD and FTIR spectroscopy. The morphological analysis of the blends shows that PbO material exhibited homogeneous dispersion in polymer matrix. The gamma attenuation performance of the composites was evaluated by Th-232 gamma radiation source. Mass attenuation coefficients of the blends were found to be increased with the increase in PbO content. The tensile strength was found to be enhanced in the presence of the lead oxide filler till 60 phr. The investigated blends were irradiated by Co-60 gamma radiation source. The dielectric properties of the prepared blends were evaluated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The physicomechanical and dielectric properties of the irradiated blends were investigated. Based on the present obtained results, PVC/NBR/PbO blends are promising materials for low gamma radiation doses.