Electron irradiation resistance of the composite material structure based on ultra-high molecular polyethylene and boron carbide

Abstract

Abstract Effect of electron irradiation on the structural state of a composite material based on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and boron carbide particles (B4C) which is a precursor for functional radiation protection materials has been investigated. Composite powder materials were synthesized from industrially available components by the method of mechanochemical activation under conditions of intense shock-shear deformations. Specimens in the form of 2 mm thick composite powder’s pressed plates were irradiated with 2 MeV electrons in air. Studies of changes in the structural and morphological characteristics of the composite samples were carried out by means of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Effects of electron irradiation on the structure of the composite as a whole and its components were analysed. The analysis of the obtained data showed the resistance of the composite material with respect to the electron irradiation fluence up to 8·1014 cm–2.