Production of a novel high strength heavy concrete using tourmaline and galena for neutron and photon radiation shielding

High density concrete is extensively used for efficient radiation attenuation in radiotherapy rooms and nuclear reactors. Over the past eight years, some efficient galena-based concrete samples for shielding X or gamma rays was produced. The goal of this study was to produce a novel high density concrete against neutron and photon radiations using tourmaline and galena. Attenuation of gamma photons was measured using a Farmer type ionization chamber with a standard 60Co buildup cap on a Theratron 60Co therapy unit. Neutron shielding characteristics were measured by using an Am-Be source. The MCNP4C radiation transport computer code was used to investigate the effects of various shield thicknesses on the attenuation of gamma-ray photons and neutrons. The concrete samples had a density of 4.0- 4.2 g/cm3. The compressive strength was 326 - 560 kg/cm2. The calculated value for Half Value Layer (HVL) of the tourmaline-galena concrete samples for 60Co gamma rays was 2.72 cm, which is much less than that of ordinary concrete (6.0 cm). The MC-derived HVL for photons with the same energy was 2.77 cm, which is in a good agreement with the experimental data. Moreover, ToGa concrete had up to 10 times greater neutron attenuation compared to that of the reference concrete. Tourmalin-Galena Concrete opens a new horizon in economic and efficient gamma/neutron shielding in high-energy radiotherapy bunkers, nuclear power plants, and shielding of radioactive sources.