About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Natural Fibers and Biocomposites
|
| Presentation Title |
Gamma Radiation Attenuation of Hybrid Natural/Synthetic Fiber Composites Reinforced with Heavy Metal Oxide particles |
| Author(s) |
Thomaz Jacintho Lopes, Sergio Neves Monteiro, Rudnei Karam Morales, Jose Marques Lopes, Paulo Cezar Rocha Silveira |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Thomaz Jacintho Lopes |
| Abstract Scope |
The development of lightweight multifunctional materials for ionizing radiation shielding has increased interest in hybrid fiber-reinforced polymer composites containing high-density particles. This study evaluates the gamma-ray shielding performance of hybrid flax/aramid–epoxy laminates reinforced with bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃), tungsten oxide (WO₃), and Bi₂O₃+WO₃. Laminates with a 2A/2L stacking sequence were fabricated and tested using Am-241 (59.5 keV) and Cs-137 (661.7 keV) gamma-ray sources. Shielding efficiency was assessed through the transmission factor (TF) and mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ). Bi₂O₃ showed the best performance, increasing μ/ρ from 0.062 to 0.098 cm²/g and reducing TF from 93.66% to 90.62%. The Bi₂O₃+WO₃ hybrid also improved attenuation (μ/ρ = 0.083 cm²/g; TF = 90.50%), while WO₃ alone provided only modest gains (μ/ρ = 0.067 cm²/g; TF = 93.31%). These results confirm the effectiveness of Bi₂O₃-based reinforcements for lightweight multifunctional radiation shielding composites. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Composites, Nuclear Materials, Ceramics |