Americium-beryllium shield container optimization with new high alloyed stainless steel and composite material using MCNPX code

Abstract

In this paper the goal is to optimize a shield for the americium-beryllium radioactive source, which generates a mixed neutron and gamma-ray radiation field, using two different materials designed with simultaneous moderation and absorption of neutrons and gamma-ray shielding in mind: a new type of stainless steel and epoxy resin (C21H25ClO5) composite with a 40% NiO additive. For this purpose, MCNPX was used and the equivalent dose rate for both types of radiation was calculated. After the optimization process, the shield volume experienced a 54% reduction while its weight, due to the use of a steel alloy, was increased by 3.56 %. At a distance of 1 m from the center of the source, the equivalent dose rate was reduced by 10.98% in comparison to that of the original system.