Improving the attenuation Ability of gamma rays for silicate glass system composites (GS-PbO): a comparative theoretical study

Abstract Mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) were calculated for seven models distributed between the ordinary concrete (Conc.), The silicate glass system (GS), and the composite of (1-x)GS-(x)PbO, where x = 0.15, 0.3, 0.45, 0.6, and 0.75 fractions by weight (wt), using the XCOM and XMuDat programs for the range of gamma photon energies from 0.1-50MeV. The results of the calculations of the linear attenuation coefficient (μ), the half value layer (HVL), the relaxation distance length (λ), and the transmission factor (T) showed a marked improvement in the ability of radiation attenuation when increasing the concentration of the reinforcement material in the composites. In general, the values of μ were inversely proportional and the values of HVL, λ, and T were exponentially proportional with increasing gamma photon energy values up to 10MeV, after which their behavior was gradually slightly reversed for all samples of the composites. Finally, the results showed that μ increased exponentially, at 0.662, 1.173, and 1.333MeV energies, with the increase in the reinforcement material which achieved the highest values at the energy of 0.662MeV. Also, the values of HVL, λ, and T of different thickness values of shield material decrease linearly with increasing reinforcement material, and T values increase significantly with increased sample thickness for all types of shields.