Impact of the gamma and neutron attenuation behaviors on the functionally graded composite materials

Abstract

Gamma-ray and neutron shielding properties of the AA6082 + TiO2 (0–50 wt%) functionally graded composite materials (FGCMs) were investigated using the PSD software. The values of the mean free path (MFP), half-value layer (HVL), linear attenuation coefficients (LAC), mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), tenth-value layer (TVL), exposure buildup factors (EBF), effective atomic number (Z eff ), effective conductivity (C eff ), and fast neutron removal cross-sections (FNRC) were found for the energy range between 0.015–15 MeV. The increase in the TiO2 content in the AA6082 composite material has raised the values of MAC and LAC. The calculations for the EBFs were carried out using the G-P fitting method for the energy range between 0.015–15 MeV and penetration depth of up to 40 mfp. The results revealed that HVL values ranged between 0.01–0.116 cm, TVL values ranged between 0.01–0.385 cm, FNRC values ranged between 7.918–10.017 cm−1, and C eff values ranged between 5.67 × 1010 and 9.85 × 1010 S m−1. The AA6082 + TiO2 (50%) composite material was observed to provide the maximum photon and neutron shielding capacity since it offered the highest Z eff , MAC, and FNRC values, and the lowest HVL value. In terms of several aspects, the research is considered original. Besides contributing to several technologies including nanotechnology and space technologies, present research’s results may contribute to nuclear technology.