Evaluating the Effects of Metallic Waste on the Structural and Gamma-Ray Shielding Properties of Epoxy Composites

TL;DR

This study explores how adding metallic waste to epoxy composites improves their ability to block gamma rays while keeping the material lightweight and affordable.

Contribution

The novelty lies in using heavy metallic waste to enhance gamma-ray shielding properties in low-density epoxy composites.

Findings

Adding 40% metallic waste increased composite density from 1.134 to 1.560 g/cm³.

Higher metallic waste content significantly reduced half-value thickness across gamma energy ranges.

Mass attenuation coefficients improved with increased metallic waste, especially at low gamma energies.

Abstract

The objective of the research is to develop novel materials that are both inexpensive and have a low density, while also being able to endure the transportation of γ-photons with low-to-medium energy levels. The outcome consisted of four epoxy resins that were strengthened with different quantities of heavy metallic waste. The density of the formed composites improved from 1.134 ± 0.022 g/cm3 to 1.560 ± 0.0312 g/cm3 when the waste content was raised from 0 to 40 weight percent. The theoretical investigation was determined using Monte Carlo (MCNP) simulation software, and the results of linear attenuation coefficient were justified experimentally in a low and medium energy range of 15–662 keV. The mass attenuation coefficient results in a low gamma energy range (15–122 keV) varied in between 3.175 and 0.159 cm2/g (for E-MW0 composite) and in between 8.212 and 0.164 cm2/g (for E-MW40 composite). The decrease in mass attenuation coefficient was detected in a medium gamma photon energy range (122–662 keV) with 0.123–0.082 cm2/g (for E-MW0 composite) and 0.121–0.080 cm2/g (for E-MW40 composite). The density of the enhanced composites influenced these parameters. As the metallic waste composition increased, the fabricated composites’ half-value thickness decreased. At 15 keV, the half-value thickness decreased from 0.19 to 0.05 cm. At 59 keV, it fell from 2.70 to 1.41 cm. At 122 keV, it fell from 3.90 to 2.72 cm. At 662 keV, it fell from 7.45 to 5.56 cm. This decrease occurred as the heavy metal waste concentration increased from 0 to 40 wt.%. The study indicates that as metallic waste concentrations rise, there is a rise in the effective atomic number and a decline in the buildup factors.

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