Design and performance of new type carbon fiber reinforced polyimide-based composites for X/γ photon shielding

Background: With the rapid development of radiation technology, demands of functional and structural integration have been put forward for the photon shielding material. Purpose: To meet this need, a new type of carbon fiber reinforced polyimide composite has been designed and tested. Methods: Shielding properties of composite materials of different PbO contents are modeled based on MCNP. According to the simulation results, shielding material is designed and prepared. And its shielding properties, mechanical properties as well as radiation-resistant properties are tested. Results: Through photon shield experiment and mechanical performance experiment, the composite material has good shielding performance for photons. Its photon transmission rate at thickness of 4.80-mm is 54.13% for ¹³⁷Cs (662 keV) gamma-ray, bend strength and stretch strength at l.2-mm thickness can reach 263 MPa and 369 MPa, respectively. After 90-kGy irradiation, the stretch strength can retain 83.47% of its performance. Conclusion: Therefore, the material possesses great application potential in medicine and industry such as gamma ray flaw detection. (authors)