Fast neutrons and gamma rays shielding properties for some nylon composite

¹ Al Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
² University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

^* Corresponding author: salwa.k.dawod@uomustansiriyah.edu.iq

Abstract

In this study, The removal parameters of macroscopic fast neutron cross-section, linear gamma ray attenuation, mean free path, and half-value layer (half-value thickness) were calculated for a polymer composite containing nylon 6 as a base material and starch powder, silica oxide, and calcium carbonate as reinforcement materials for different energies (0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.8, 1, 3, 7, 10, 15) and for various concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, 25). We used the x-com program to calculate gamma ray attenuation values. The results showed that the macroscopic cross-section of fast neutron attenuation and the linear attenuation coefficient for gamma rays increase with increasing reinforcement materials concentration, while the values of half-value layer decrease with increasing concentrations. When the energy increases, the half-value layer and the mean free path also increase, however, the values of the linear attenuation coefficient decrease.