Evaluation of mechanical, thermal and radiation shielding performance of an epoxy-based polymeric composite reinforced with recycled CRT glasses

Abstract

Abstract This study explores a sustainable approach to gamma radiation shielding and waste recycling by developing epoxy-based composite materials reinforced with varying percentages (0–50 %) of cathode ray tube (CRT) glass. The primary objective is to assess the mechanical, microstructural, thermal, and radiation attenuation properties of these eco-friendly composites. Experimental linear attenuation coefficients (LAC) values were validated using theoretical calculations, showing good agreement. Key shielding parameters, including half-value layer (HVL) and radiation attenuation ratio (RAR%), were calculated. The ER-CRT-50 sample, with the highest CRT glass content, exhibited the best shielding performance, achieving an LAC of 1.464 cm −1 at 0.059 MeV, significantly higher than ER-CRT-0’s 0.273 cm −1 , and an RAR of 99.93 % at 5 cm thickness. Microstructural analysis revealed that ER-CRT-30 displayed optimal filler-matrix adhesion and enhanced fracture toughness, while ER-CRT-50 showed agglomeration-related defects. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry confirmed improved thermal stability with CRT addition, with ER-CRT-30 retaining 18.5 % residual mass at 450 °C compared to ER-CRT-0’s <10 %. Mechanical testing demonstrated that ER-CRT-30 achieved the highest strength, with a maximum stress of 6.5 MPa at 5.5 % strain, compared to ER-CRT-0’s 3.0 MPa at 0.65 % strain. These results indicate that epoxy composites reinforced with 30 wt.% CRT offer an optimal balance of gamma radiation shielding, thermal stability, and mechanical performance, presenting a viable and eco-friendly solution for radiation shielding applications.