Abstract:
This study fabricated and characterized a self-sustaining hydrogenous content claypolyethylene
composite opted for ionizing radiation shielding. Composites designated A–G were
fabricated each containing 0–30 wt% of recycled low density polyethylene (LDPE), respectively.
To know the effects of the incorporated LDPE on the morphology, microstructural, compressive
strength, thermal property and displacement effect on the vital elements were studied using scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), universal mechanical testing machine, differential
thermal analysis (DTA), Rutherford backscattering (RBS) technique and particle induced X-ray
emission (PIXE), respectively. The bulk densities of the clay composites ranged between 1.341 and
2.030 g/cm3. The samples’ XRD analysis revealed similar patterns, with a sharp and prominent peak
at angle 2 equals ~26.11 , which matched with card number 16-0606 of the Joint Committee on Powder
Diffraction Standards (JCPDS) that represents Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide (Al2Si2O5(OH)4),
a basic formula for Kaolin clay. The compressive strength ranged between 2.52 and 5.53 MPa. The
ratio of Si to Al in each composite is about 1:1. The dehydroxylation temperature for samples ranged
between 443.23 C and 555.23 C.
