Shielding Performance of a New Coating Material Composed of Polyurea Resin and Tungsten Carbide against X‐Rays

Proper shielding measures are essential for protecting individuals from the harm of radiation exposure. In this study, a novel composite of tungsten carbide microparticles and polyurea resin (PUWC), which has the advantage of easy implementation in existing facilities by spraying in addition to low toxicity and high flexibility is investigated as an alternative radiation shielding material against photon radiation. The uniform distribution of tungsten carbide (WC) particles synthesized PUWC sheets is confirmed using the technique of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX). Macroscopic uniformity is examined using a radiochromic film (Gafchromic EBT3) for X‐rays. The shielding effects of PUWC against X‐rays (160 kV, 6.3 mA) are examined for four sheets with different WC concentrations (15, 20, 30, and 50 wt%), lead, and aluminum. It is found that a PUWC sheet with a higher WC concentration has a better shielding performance; the PUWC sheet with 50 wt% WC shows a performance comparable to that of lead with respect to mass attenuation. These results indicate the potential of PUWC as an alternative shielding material for lead, which is toxic to human health and the environment. Further investigations on the practicality of this novel material are needed.