Melt-compounded composites of ethylene vinyl acetate with magnesium sulfate as flexible EPR dosimeters: Mechanical properties, manufacturing process feasibility and dosimetric characteristics.

Novel polymeric composites for radiation dosimetry were developed. The composites were prepared by solvent-free melt compounding of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) (40% vinyl) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). Mechanical properties, melt flow characteristics and dosimetric properties were investigated. The composites with up to 50% (wt) of MgSO4 were flexible and capable of flow. The dose response of the EPR signal of the composites was studied in the dose range 3Gy-4kGy and found to be linear between 18Gy and 4kGy. The reproducibility of dose measurements was good. The signal fading rate and the energy dependence of the dose response were found to be acceptable.

Synthesis of a flexible poly(chloroprene)/methyl red film dosimeter using an environment-benign shear compounding method.

The paper reports synthesis of a new film dosimeter based on a solvent-free route. Methyl red (MR) dye was introduced into poly(chloroprene) (PC) in various concentrations. The films were intensely red with λmax ~515nm. The absorbance decreased linearly with absorbed radiation dose up to 30kGy without a significant change in λmax. Color coordinates of the films were also analyzed. Optical micrographs of the films showed no signs of inhomogeneous distribution of MR in the PC matrix, which was attributed to the polarity of PC. Radiation sensitivity, dose response linearity, effects of irradiation temperature and humidity, as well as the rate of fading, were also investigated.