Experimental investigation of contaminated clay slabs for X-ray shielding

Abstract

Abstract The advent of radiation is a challenge to the human race therefore; a suitable material is a solution to effective radiation shielding. This research aims to investigate the effectiveness of clay slabs mixed with some heavy metals in radiation shielding. Thereafter, absorption coefficients (mass and linear) were calculated from both incident and transmitted intensity measured with a detector at different energies: 40 keV, 60 keV, 80 keV, 100 keV,120 keV, 150 KeV and 200 Kev. The following procedures were taken: the clay was mixed with heavy metals (Lead, Nickel Cadmium, Zinc and Copper) using the ion exchange capacity technique and then slabs were moulded using a wooden frame of dimensions 4 cm x 4 cm x 1 cm. A narrow collimated beam transmission geometry condition was used for the measurements. The measured values of these parameters were in good agreement with the literature. At selected energies, the values of linear and mass attenuation for lead were 2.29 cm-1 and 0.466 gcm-2, 1.58 cm-1 and 0.392 gcm-2, 1.23 cm- 1 and 0.281 gcm-2, 1.09 cm-1 and 0.216 gcm-2, 0.88 cm-1 and 0.180 gcm-2, 0.74 cm-1 and 0.168 gcm-2 and 0.57 cm-1 and 0.161 gcm-2, respectively. The results obtained were compared with concrete. The clay slabs mixed with heavy metal showed good shielding properties for moderate radiation energy. Hence, these slabs are feasible and cost effective compared with traditional concrete used for construction.