Evaluation of the radiation protection capability of a low density and non-Lead composite shield using Monte Carlo model

This study aimed to evaluate the capability of a novel non-Lead composite shield with a lower density compared to commercial Lead shield to protect against 10-100 keV X-ray.

In the present study, Monte Carlo calculations were performed to study the attenuation properties of a composite designed shield. For this reason, the attenuation rate of 8-material alloy including Tungsten, Bismuth, Barium, Gadolinium, Cesium, Cerium, Tin, and Antimony elements was compared to the 8-layers combination of these elements. Tungsten, Gadolinium, Cerium, and Bismuth were selected to simulate 4-layer and an alloy shields. The resulting X-ray fluence spectra attenuated by the designed shields were calculated.

Preliminary results showed that at the energy of 68 keV, the attenuation value by the 8-layer composition was 2.6 times higher than the value achievable by the alloy. It should be noted that the attenuation of 4-layer shield combined from Tungsten, Gadolinium, Cerium and Bismuth in the energy range of 72-100 keV, was 3.5 times higher than that of the alloy shield built from these elements.

According to the results, a combination of Tungsten, Gadolinium, Cerium, and Bismuth materials can be effectively used to create non-Lead shields. The four-layer shield with higher density offers better attenuation compared to the alloy shield.