Enhanced mechanical property of polyethylene wax/gadolinium oxide/methyl vinyl silicone rubber composites via gamma irradiation

Abstract The properties of rubber can be changed by controlling the radiation conditions, so as to be suitable for specific application scenarios. This study compares the structure, mechanical properties, cross‐linking density, thermal properties, and shielding properties of polyethylene wax/gadolinium oxide/methyl vinyl silicone rubber (PEW/Gd₂O₃/MVQ) under different radiation doses and atmospheric conditions. The results showed that the tensile strength of the neutron shielding rubber exhibited growth and subsequently decreased with increasing irradiation dosage, and the tensile strength reached the optimum value of 8.29 MPa after 25 kGy in air. The hardness and cross‐linking density of the sample increase with the increase of the dose, and especially the hardness and cross‐linking density of the sample irradiated in the air atmosphere at 25 kGy were better than that in the vacuum. The addition of PEW to the rubber significantly increased the thermal neutron‐shielding rate, from 74.10% to 86.59% when 36 phr of Gd₂O₃ was added. The thermal neutron‐shielding rate increased from 84.42% to 88.39% when irradiated 50 kGy in air. It was found that the comprehensive performance of the rubber was optimized after irradiation of 25 kGy in the air atmosphere. Highlights The mechanical properties of rubber are enhanced by low‐dose irradiation in air. Irradiation of rubber in air is superior to irradiation in vacuum, with optimal results at 25 kGy. Rubber maintains thermal stability at low doses of irradiation. The addition of PEW improves the shielding properties. Rubber retains excellent thermal neutron‐shielding properties after irradiation.