Feasibility Study of Using Pb, W and Ba Composition to Increase Attenuation Efficiency of Protective Aprons Against the Diagnostic X-Ray Range Using MCNP Code

In this research, the use of tungsten (W) and barium (Ba) in composition with lead (Pb) was investigated to decrease weight and to increase the efficiency of the protective aprons in attenuating of the diagnostic X-rays. First, the X-ray tube of the Radiation Research Center (RCC) of the Shiraz University was simulated by MCNP4C code to obtain the bremsstrahlung and characteristic X-ray spectrum. In order to confirm the simulation, the obtained output of this code was compared with the resultant output of the spectrum simulator software, viz., the spectrum processor (SP). The simulated protective apron samples with the dimension of 10cm×10cm and weight of 86.5, 81.5 and 70 g, containing various percentages of Pb, W and Ba, were placed in the path of the simulated spectra, and the attenuation coefficient of radiation was calculated using MCNP4C. The results showed that the composition of Pb, Ba and vinyl, with the percentages of 23, 42 and 35 and also 17, 48 and 35, respectively, improved the attenuation about %46 in comparison with the use of pure Pb.