Comprehensive study on structure, mechanical and nuclear shielding properties of lead free Sn–Zn–Bi alloys as a powerful radiation and neutron shielding material

Abstract

Various compositions of 60Sn- (40-x) Zn – xBi (where x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 wt%) rapidly solidified alloys have been prepared by melt-spinning technique. The structural and mechanical properties have been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and tensile test machine techniques respectively. Additionally, the nuclear shielding performance of the prepared alloys was examined. XCOM software was used to compute the μm values across a large energy range of 0.015 MeV–15 MeV. To clearly comprehend the radiation and neutron shielding capabilities of the prepared alloys, various parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient (μm), half value layer (HVL), total atomic (σa) and total electronic cross-sections (σe), effective atomic number (Zeff), exposure buildup factor (EBF), energy absorption buildup factors (EABF), specific absorbed fraction of energy (SAFE) and macroscopic effective removal cross section (ΣR) were computed and compared to other commonly shielding materials. The results revealed that increasing Bi content leading to decreasing the crystal size which enhances the mechanical and radiation shielding properties. The Sn-40% Bi (S5) alloy shows a maximum increase of the Young's modulus value of 90.5 GPa, the tensile strength of 299.9 MPa, yield strength of 267.9 MPa, μm, Zeff, and ΣR of 0.1016 cm−1. The results also show that, HVL, MFP, EBF, EABF and SAFE values are all lowest in the S5 alloy. As a result, the S5 alloy may be regarded a preferable material for radiation shielding applications. The findings of this research might be very beneficial in the future for nuclear waste storage, medical and industrial uses.