High-efficiency radiation attenuation shields of polymer composites for the low earth orbit space environment – multilayer shielding simulation system-based investigations

The polymer/metal hybrids have been used as a solution for the mitigation of ionizing radiation in space for sensitive electronics components, particularly for a proton-rich Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment. Consequently, radiation attenuation analysis of polymer/metal hybrid composites has been investigated. Radiation attenuation analysis has been performed using online GEANT4 (simulation toolkit) and the Multilayer Shielding Simulation System (MULASSIS) for the LEO space environment. The shielding potential of polymers, such as poly(dimethyl siloxane), poly(methyl methacrylate), polyurethane and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, were analyzed with optimized compositions. It was observed that the pristine PDMS attenuated relatively more radiations than other polymer matrices. For modelling of hybrid radiation material composition, PDMS and carbon fibre fabric-derived composite laminates along with metal sheets (Aluminum Al, Tantalum Ta or Tungsten W) were used to analyze hybrid compositions. Here, hybrid composition performance was analyzed as a function of various areal densities. Analyzed polymer laminate/metal hybrid compositions performed better to attenuate LEO radiations up to 42.29%, compared to conventional Al (areal densities of 0.2–1.0 g/cm2). The maximum magnitude of attenuation was found at an areal density of 1.0 g/cm2 for Ta and W metal composition (39.44% and 42.29%, respectively), and so performed better than Al metal. Improved attenuation ratios of the hybrid compositions revealed that the hybrid laminate/metal shields can replace conventional Al shields towards LEO space radiations.