Gamma-ray absorption using rubber—lead mixtures as radiation protection shields

Abstract

In the present study five samples of special rubber–lead were fabricated each of them consists of lead and rubber with different weight ratios. The fabrication was carried out through the process of mixing under compression pressure. Gamma-ray transmission method was employed to determine the linear attenuation coefficient for narrow collimated mono-energetic beams of gamma-rays emitted from 241Am 0.059, 152Eu 0.13 and 137Cs 0.662 MeV. The linear attenuation coefficient of standard rubber–lead shield was also experimentally determined. The percentage of lead in standard rubber–lead shield was determined through the calibration curve or by a simple computer program written in MATLAB. All prepared samples are characterized as flexible and gives a good homogeneity. samples no. 4 & 5 offers the best performance as a radiation protection shields. The results showed an inverse proportionality between the linear attenuation coefficient μl and E, and μl has a direct proportionality with mixing ratios (sample density). The results showed an inverse proportional between the half value layers and the average linear attenuation coefficients of the various samples.