Evaluation of gamma and neutron shielding capacities of tellurite glass system with Phy-X simulation software

Abstract

Newly developed glass system H 3 BO 3 –K 2 CO 3 –MgO–TeO 2 –ZnO–AgNO 3 (HKMTZA) was synthesized by high temperature melting method for gamma and neutron shielding. The parameters of gamma and neutron attenuation are computerized utilizing Phy-X/PSD and for photon energies ranging between 15 KeV and 15 MeV. The newly developed tool is used to calculate the shielding parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient ( μ/ρ ), relative parameters effective atomic number ( Z eff ), half-value layer ( HVL ), tenth value layer ( TVL ), mean free path ( MFP ), and fast neutrons ( Σ R ). Meanwhile, Σ R is enabled to assess the capabilities of the neutron shielding. Because of Ag element which has high atom number, HKMTZA6 has highest Z eff and lowest HVL , TVL . The results of this research revealed that Σ R of this HKMTZA glass system increases with the improving of AgNO 3 and the studied glass system possess higher Σ R value, contrasting with T70V27Z3 glass. And it is closed to the leaded brass alloy (LB), and TeO 2 –B 2 O 3 (TB), illustrating that the HKMTZA glass system possesses excellent properties of neutron shielding. • Glass system with gamma and neutron attenuation properties has been fabricated. • A series of relative radiation parameters are derived by Phy-X/PSD. • Value of neutron shielding factor Σ R are carried out in the range of 0.123–0.100 cm −1 . • THZMKA system is a superior shielding material contrast reported glass and concrete.