An extensive experimental study on the role of micro-size pozzolana in enhancing the gamma-ray shielding properties of high-density polyethylene

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) Vol. 212; p. 111079
• Main Authors: Tashlykov, O.L., Milman, I.I., Aladailah, M.W., Bessonov, I.A., Chalpanov, S.V., Yarkov, V. Yu, Pyltsova, D.O., Kuvshinova, E.V., Mahmoud, K.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2023
• Subjects: Experimental measurements; High-density polyethylene; Pozzolana; γ-ray shielding; Pozzolana; High-density polyethylene; Experimental measurements; γ-ray shielding
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2023.111079

In the present study, the role of micro-size pozzolana in the enhancement of the radiation shielding properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was investigated. Therefore, HDPE polymers reinforced by various ratios of pozzolana were fabricated. The density of the fabricated composites increased from 0.089 g/cm3 to 1.234 g/cm3, as measured using the MH-300A density meter. Additionally, the linear attenuation coefficient for the fabricated composites was measured at energies of 59 keV, 662 keV, and 1252 keV emitted by the isotopes Am-241, Cs-137, and Co-60, respectively. The experimental measurements show an increase in the linear attenuation coefficient from 0.12 cm−1 to 0.82 cm−1 at γ-ray energy of 59 keV. The enhancement in the linear attenuation coefficient affects the half-value thickness and transmission factor where the half-value thickness decreased from 5.73 cm to 0.84 cm and the transmission factor decreased from 88.60% to 43.87%, raising the pozzolana concentration between 0 wt% and 50 wt%. •High-density polyethylene polymers reinforce micro-size pozzolana were fabricated.•The addition of pozzolana enhances the fabricated composites density.•Enriching the pozzolana concentration enhances the linear attenuation coefficient.•Transmission factor and half-value thickness reduced by enriching pozzolana content.