Evaluation of gamma radiation shielding characteristics of FeNbSc-based alloys

This study evaluated the radiation shielding features and interaction characteristics of FeNbSc-based alloy by separately doping the base alloy (FeNbSc) with Si, Ge, Ga, and Al for application in nuclear reactor design and radioactive waste confinement. The variations of Mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), Mass energy-absorption coefficient (MEAC), Effective atomic number (Zeff), effective electron densities (Neff), Specific gamma ray constant (Γ), Gamma dose rate (Dτ), exposure buildup factors (EBF) and Energy absorption buildup factors (EABF) at different photon energies were evaluated using WinXCOM computer program. Observation from results showed that FeNbScGe alloy displayed the highest shielding characteristics among all investigated alloy samples across all photon energies. The MAC of the prepared alloy samples was significantly higher than some recently developed commercial SCHOTT radiation shielding composites at 0.662 and 1.25 MeV gamma energy. The EBF and EABF of the studied alloy samples varied to modifying elements (Si, Ge, Ga, and Al) in the investigated samples. The MEAC values of the FeNbScGe alloy investigated samples were higher than those of other investigated alloys. Hence, FeNbScGe alloy should be considered for nuclear reactor design and radioactive waste confinement.