Thermoplastic Polyurethane X-Ray Shield Patch for Heat Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation shielding materials, such as lead rubber, become damaged during use and require complex equipment or adhesives for repair, which is inefficient and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A polyurethane patch containing a bismuth halide compound is used to repair damaged radiation shielding materials by dispersing the compound within the polyurethane matrix during synthesis, allowing for uniform distribution and coordination bonds, and is applied with heat to melt and fill the damaged area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex equipment or adhesives are used to repair radiation shielding materials, then the repair effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential repair function from complex equipment and adhesives, concentrating it into a single self-contained polyurethane patch with embedded bismuth halide compound. The patch contains all necessary materials (polymer matrix, shielding agent, adhesive properties) in one unit, eliminating the need for separate equipment and adhesive applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The polyurethane patch is designed to be self-adhering through thermal activation. When heated, the patch melts and bonds directly to the damaged area without requiring external adhesives or complex application equipment. The material itself provides both the shielding function and the bonding function, making the repair process self-service.
2Reliability
If complex equipment or adhesives are used to repair radiation shielding materials, then the repair effectiveness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential repair function from complex equipment and adhesives, concentrating it into a single self-contained polyurethane patch with embedded bismuth halide compound. The patch contains all necessary materials (polymer matrix, shielding agent, adhesive properties) in one unit, eliminating the need for separate equipment and adhesive applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The polyurethane patch is designed to be self-adhering through thermal activation. When heated, the patch melts and bonds directly to the damaged area without requiring external adhesives or complex application equipment. The material itself provides both the shielding function and the bonding function, making the repair process self-service.
3Ease of manufacture
If bismuth halide compound is simply mixed with polyurethane, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the uniformity of dispersion and coordination bonding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bismuth halide compound is incorporated into the polyurethane matrix during the synthesis process rather than as a simple post-mixing step. The precursors (isocyanate and diol) react in the presence of the bismuth halide compound, ensuring uniform distribution throughout the polymer network as it forms. This preliminary incorporation during synthesis guarantees homogeneous dispersion and facilitates coordination bonding between bismuth and nitrogen atoms in the polyurethane structure.
4Ease of manufacture
If bismuth halide compound is simply mixed with polyurethane, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the coordination bond formation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bismuth halide compound is incorporated into the polyurethane matrix during the synthesis process rather than as a simple post-mixing step. The precursors (isocyanate and diol) react in the presence of the bismuth halide compound, ensuring uniform distribution throughout the polymer network as it forms. This preliminary incorporation during synthesis guarantees homogeneous dispersion and facilitates coordination bonding between bismuth and nitrogen atoms in the polyurethane structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The repair method achieves high X-ray shielding performance, mechanical flexibility, and thermal adhesion, restoring shielding functionality without complex equipment, with a shielding efficiency of 94.72% compared to 98.91% of the original, and maintaining mechanical properties.
Implementation Method 1
applying heat to the patch to melt it, thereby repairing the radiation shielding material
Implementation Method 2
a polyurethane patch in which a bismuth halide compound is dispersed is placed over the damaged area and partially melted by applying heat, thereby filling the damaged portion and restoring the shielding performance
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for repairing a damaged portion of a radiation shielding material and provides a method for repairing the radiation shielding material by placing a polyurethane patch containing a bismuth halide compound on the damaged portion and melting the patch by applying heat.