The effects of gamma irradiation on the elastic properties of soda lime glass doped with cerium oxide

Soda lime glass doped with cerium oxide was prepared using a conventional melt quenching technique. The density and molar volume of the glass samples were measured. Ultrasonic wave velocities of the glass samples were carried out using a pulse echo technique. The density and ultrasonic velocities were used for determining elastic moduli of the glass samples, both before and after irradiation with gamma rays at 1 kGy. The results revealed that the influence of gamma irradiation caused the matrix structure of the glass samples to be damaged by creating displacements, electronic defects and/or breaks in the network bonds, leading to the formation of non-bridging oxygens (NBOs). Elastic properties were investigated under the influence of gamma irradiation. The results also revealed that the structures of the glass samples were distorted by irradiation. Damage by irradiation created the NBOs and/or the transformation of main glass network structures from Q4 to Q3. Evidence of these results was acquired from FTIR spectra. The results of FTIR supported the results and were obtained from ultrasonic velocities. In addition, the elastic properties obtained from experiments were compared with theoretical values calculated from the Makishima and Mackenzie model (M–M model). •Results show good agreement between experimental and theoretical of elastic moduli.•Influence of irradiation created a distorted network structure.•Transformation of network structure from Ref. Q4 to Q3 after irradiation.•FTIR result is good evidence of the result is obtained from ultrasonic technique.