Abstract:
Heavy mineral and unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) based composite blocks were
prepared for potential shielding of ionizing radiations. Locally available heavy minerals
with Ilmenite, Magnetite, Garnet, Rutile, Zirconium contents were used to fabricate the
composite blocks for the gamma photons with energies 0.662 MeV - 1.25 MeV. The
shielding capacity was evaluated in terms of Half Value Layer (HVL), Tenth Value Layer
(TVL), Sixteenth Value Layer (SVL), Linear attenuation coefficient, Mass attenuation
coefficient, relaxation length and reduced % of radiation intensity. Comparative assessment
between the characterized shielding material and the ordinary shielding material had
performed based on the experimental observations. The magnetite composite exhibits
relatively good attenuation performance in the case of 0.662 MeV photons of Cs-137. On
the other hand, Zirconium composite demonstrates relatively good attenuation capacity in
the case of 1.25 MeV photons of Co-60 in comparison to the ordinary concrete block. The
goal of this work is to explore some novel materials to be effectively used as gamma
shielding options in radiation facilities at minimal cost.
