Structural, radiation shielding, thermal and dynamic mechanical analysis for waste rubber/EPDM rubber composite loaded with Fe2O3 for green environment

Increasing waste rubber recycling produces a specious range of products for many valuable applications. Waste Rubber/EPDM composite with different concentrations was prepared. Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is used to identify the chemical composition. A water absorption test, Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) were performed. The (75/25) WR/EPDM rubber composite exhibited the best behavior with the highest mechanical performance. Fe2O3 was added to (75/25) WR/EPDM rubber composite. Water absorption, FTIR, TGA, and DMA were investigated. The composite performance was improved with increasing Fe2O3 content. The linear attenuation coefficients (mu) were also measured as a function of the concentrations of Fe2O3 for gamma-ray energy 662 keV by using 137Cs point source; the radiation shielding can be denoted by numbers of parameters like mass attenuation coefficient (mu m), half value layer (HVL), Tenth value layer TVL and radiation protection efficiency (RPE%), radiation protection efficiency increased as Fe2O3 increased.