Lead—Natural rubber composites as gamma radiation shields. II: High concentration

Abstract Natural rubber composites were prepared by the incorporation of different lead concentration, namely: 100, 300, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 phr to be used as gamma radiation shields. A non‐linear dependence of the attenuation coefficient upon the lead concentration was observed for both ⁶⁰ Co and ¹³⁷ Cs as gamma radiation sources. Sample containing the ultimate lead concentration (2000 phr) and thickness 1 mm was found to have 0.336 mm and 0.383 mm lead equivalent for ⁶⁰ Co and ¹³⁷ Cs respectively. Electrical and mechanical properties of the investigated composites were also measured.