New high temperature resistant heavy concretes for fast neutron and gamma radiation shielding

Abstract

Abstract In the present work, we developed three new high temperature resistant heavy concretes as novel radiation shielding materials. For this purpose, chrome ore (FeCr2O4), hematite (Fe2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), limonite [FeO (OH) nH2O], siderite (FeCO3), barite (BaSO4), nickel oxide (NiO) materials and alumina cement were used. Mass combination ratios of components and total macroscopic cross sections (scattering, absorption, capture, fission) of the samples were calculated by using GEANT4 code. The resistances of the prepared samples were evaluated in terms of compression strength after exposure at the 1000 °C temperature. Neutron equivalent dose rate measurements were carried out by using 4.5 MeV 241Am-Be neutron source and BF3 detector. All results were compared with normal weight concrete and paraffin. The results of neutron dose indicate that neutron absorption ability of the new heavy concretes is higher than normal weight concrete and paraffin. In addition to neutron measurements, different γ-ray shielding parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), effective atom numbers (Zeff), half value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP) have been calculated using WinXCOM software in order to investigate the effectiveness of using the prepared concretes as a radiation shielding materials. Gamma-ray results were compared with concretes and Pb-based glass.