Investigation and Characterization of Gamma Radiation Shielding Capacity of Heavy Minerals-Based Composite Materials

Abstract

Abstract Radiation shielding is an indispensable ingredient in the design of an integrated system to attenuate the effects of radiation during various operations such as space, aircraft, and nuclear plant. Discerning and exploiting the properties of composite materials compatible for radiation shielding in those applications are therefore primary obligation. In this study, we present here the results of control, ilmenite-, and garnet-based composites radiation shielding capabilities. The gamma radiation shielding competency of control, ilmenite-, and garnet-based composite materials has been examined by using linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), tenth value layer (TVL), and half value layer (HVL). A comparison among those composite materials has been studied to find out the best one for radiation shielding material. Factors influencing the radiation shielding capabilities such as mechanical properties, thermal properties, density, surface morphology, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis have been studied in comparative investigations. In this work, we show that garnet-based composite material has viable radiation shielding performances as compared to the control and ilmenite-based composites. Garnet-based composite exhibits lower impact energy to withstand against gamma radiation as compared to the other tested shielding materials.