Investigation of the effect of gamma radiation on the mechanical properties of nanoclay-reinforced composite plates
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: In this study, the effect of gamma radiation on the mechanical properties of pure and nanoclay-reinforced glass fiber/epoxy composite plates with nanoclay added of 0.75 wt%, 1 wt%, and 1.25 wt% was experimentally investigated. The composite plates were fabricated using the hand lay-up method and irradiated at approximately 10 and 20 kGy doses using a Co-60 gamma radiation source. Tensile, compressive, and shear tests were conducted on both irradiated and non-irradiated specimens in accordance with ASTM D3039, ASTM D6641, and ASTM D7078 standards, respectively. The resulting mechanical properties were determined and compared. The experimental results showed that the addition of nanoclay improved all mechanical properties of the composites, and the highest mechanical performance was obtained in specimens with 1.25 wt% nanoclay added. As the gamma radiation dose increased, a decrease in mechanical properties occurred; however, the changes in tensile strength and elastic modulus were found to be limited. In contrast, the shear strength and shear modulus were determined to be more significantly affected by gamma radiation. Nevertheless, the Poisson’s ratio was observed to be unaffected by the applied radiation doses. The tensile strength, compressive strength, shear strength, elastic modulus, and shear modulus values obtained from specimens with 1.25 wt% nanoclay content exposed to a 20 kGy gamma radiation dose were 1.19%, 5.02%, 19.9%, 0.70%, and 7.06% lower, respectively, compared to those obtained from specimens with the same nanoclay added that were not exposed to gamma radiation. These findings may provide reference data for the evaluation of nanoclay-reinforced glass fiber/epoxy composites for structural applications in radiation environments within the investigated low-dose gamma irradiation range of 10 and 20 kGy.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Emine Erbilgin, Gurbet Örçen
Institution: Dicle University
Language: English
Subfield: Polymers and Plastics
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
Funder: Dicle Üniversitesi
OpenAlex ID: W7220976214